Just the Facts: Wagering Tips for the 2007 Breeder’s Cup

There is only one rule when wagering on a horse in the Breeders’ Cup - - never, ever, ever take a short-priced favorite.  This means that you should never bet on a horse at odds under 2 to 1.  In horse racing, 2 to 1 will pay back $6 dollars on every $2 dollars you wager to win.

Because every Breeders Cup race averages a field of at least 10 horses, it makes no sense to bet a horse to win at odds of lower than 2 to 1.

With that out of the way, here are some other strategies to think about in regards to individual Breeders Cup Races:

Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies:  Horses based on the West Coast, like Julio Canini’s Catomine a couple of years ago, tend to run well in these races.  Also, always look for a horse that can be close to the pace.  The Monmouth Racetrack plays towards speed and that speed should be even more important because 2-eyar old fillies tend not to have the closing kick that their older siblings do.

Breeders Cup Distaff:  This years’ group is even wider opening than usual as Rags to Riches is hurt and will not run in this race.  If there is a short-priced favorite who will win on Breeders Cup day, it will be Todd Pletcher’s Unbridled Belle who has enough speed to stay close and won’t get tired going 1 1/8 miles.  Look for a “key” horse like Belle in your exactas and tri-fectas.  Use long-shots who have shown t he ability to stay close to the pace in their previous races.  Don’t worry about who has won the “big” prep races and stick to basic handicapping principles like speed, class, and style.

Breeders Cup Mile:  Always upgrade European horses and downgrade American horses in this race.  The Europeans win these races far more than the Americans do.  Also, make a point to look for long-shots.  Rock of Gibraltar, who had beaten every horse in the world going into this race about five years ago, found a way to lose in his Breeders Cup try.  This is usually the toughest race on the card to handicap.  The long-shot European is the one that usually comes up with the win - -- NOT the obvious European.

Breeders Cup Sprint:  Tough way to go this year as the Monmouth track plays to speed, but usually there is a ton of speed in this race which sets things up for closers.  Maybe the best thing to do is to use who you think is the best speed type horse and the best closer and key in exactas and tri-fectas.  Whomever you decide on in this race will be a price.  The Breeders Cup Sprint is always one of the best wagering races on the card because of the pay-outs.

Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf:  Like all of the other turf races on the Breeders Cup Card, it makes sense to look for a European horse that just came over and is fresh off the boat!  European horses tend to run better that way.  This year, however, we’ve got a tip - - if Nashoba’s Key shows up in this race, fugedaboutit!!  She wins easily.  So, there’s your key horse in the Pick 3’s - - Nashoba’s Key.  From your friends over here at BetUS!

Breeders Cup Juvenile:  Stick with a horse who can definitely stay close to the pace.  The favorite in this race will be Majestic Warrior, but check-out our Breeders Cup History page and see how well favorites do in this race.  Yep!  The Juvenile usually is won by a long-shot.  Unless a horse like Johannesburg, who won coming from Europe in 2000, shows up, there is no reason to discount any horse that you like in this race.  This year the best 2-year olds have been running on the East Coast but that means nothing in this race as 2-year juveniles can turn into monsters a week up to the Breeders Cup Juvenile.  Pay attention to how each horse looks on the race and make your wager at BetUS!

Breeders Cup Turf:  One word - - European.  Don’t even consider an American horse in this race.  We don’t have a stud this year.  So, it’s all about the European contingent!  Don’t be shy about using European long-shots in this race for whatever exotic bets you are planning on making wagers for.

Breeders Cup Classic:  This years’ classic has the potential of being one of the greatest Breeders Cup races of all time.  It also has the potential of burning a lot of money because the Monmouth racetrack plays towards speed and the most popular horses in the race are closers such as Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.  Pay attention to the front-runners such as Hard Spun and Student Council.