The news that Wise Dan would be scratched from the 2014 Breeders Cup Mile due to a non-displaced fracture of the cannon bone comes as a major blow to thoroughbred racing and bettors who might have been looking for a single in the pick six or superfecta key.
The reigning Horse of the Year would have easily been the favorite in the Turf Mile – an event he won in 2012 and 2013 – and arguably appeared to be the most likely winner of any Breeders’ Cup race after his dominant Shadwell Turf Mile victory October 3 at Keeneland. Each Breeders’ Cup develops its own storyline, and the 2014 renewal’s seems to be parity.
Parity, no doubt, is essential for finding good betting value, but most handicappers find a greater sense of comfort when there are at least a few reliable horses on a card around which exotic wagers can be constructed. Wise Dan would have been that horse for the third consecutive year while likely staying at or above even money. Of the remaining likely Breeders’ Cup participants only Beholder (Distaff) and Goldencents (Dirt Mile) look like horse’s that are sure to fire huge efforts.
Beholder and Goldencents will both attempt to repeat in their respective divisions and both have held their form remarkably well since last year’s triumphs. In other words, neither horse requires handicapper’s to take a leap of faith at the betting windows given their accomplishments – both recent and past. While bettors are permanently fixated on catching the next big thing, they would be wise to take what is given. In the case of the 2014 Breeders’ Cup, Beholder and Goldencents are the most reliable horses to use in exotic bets with the departure of Wise Dan.
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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