The Breeders Cup Friday undercard includes four stakes races October 31 at Santa Anita beginning with the Grade 2 $200,000 Las Vegas Marathon featuring a field of eight going a mile and three quarters on the main track.
With every runner in the field untested at the distance, the Las Vegas Marathon has all the makings of a crap shoot. To complicate matters, the runners demonstrating the best recent form are more accomplished on turf and synthetic footing than dirt. Big Cazanova is the 5/2 morning line favorite for trainer Peter Miller, and is cross-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – although he would need a scratch from the main body of the field to gain entry to that race. Big Cazanova is just 1 for 11 on dirt including an eighth place finish in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last time out. However, Big Cazanova has fared well on the Santa Anita dirt with a win and a third place effort at shorter distances.
Dan Hendricks will saddle Irish Surf (4/1), who has raced almost exclusively on turf and synthetics in 20 career starts. Irish Surf, a son of Giant’s Causeway, recorded a field-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure two starts back in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic run at a mile and a quarter on Polytrack despite finishing fifth in that race.
Mystery Train is also 4/1 on the morning line after finishing sixth in his last start – the Grade 1 Awesome Again. Mystery Train will be making the third start of his career in the United States after racing in South America.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes is coming up Saturday, May 20 at Pimlico! It is one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the racing year, and this is the place to […]
The Preakness Stakes is coming up on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The second jewel of the American Triple Crown drew a field of 10 top three-year-olds. Find out the top contenders in the race, and learn the best places to place your bets!
After all the drama of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the racing scene shifts to Pimlico Race Course in anticipation of the running of the 2019 Preakness Stakes. A couple of the high-profile contenders from the Derby are expected in the field, as well as a number of new shooters that add to the handicapping puzzle and could provide good betting value.
The field has been established for the 2016 running of the Belmont Stakes and of the thirteen contenders, there are four horses who competed in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and are moving on to the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
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