posted June 10, 2008 at 15:53 in Triple Crown Betting Trends

After the debacle that was Big Brown’s Belmont run in last Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, it makes sense for BetUS online racebook fans to look for some other horse to play in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Yes, I understand that the Breeders’ Cup Classic isn’t until October, but it’s important to get these rankings going early. The Saratoga and Del Mar meets are just around the corner. That means that there is a lot of racing with some very good horses going on up to the Breeders’ Cup. It’s never too early to start paying attention in the world of online racebook betting!

Let’s get to the rankings!

2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings

1. Curlin - - The champ is back and man he looks good. He was assigned 128 pounds in this weekend’s Stephen Foster. Yes, it’s a lot of weight, but this is one of the best horses I’ve ever seen. He’s brilliant. Hands-down the favorite to repeat as the Classic champ.

2. Heatseeker - - This son of Giant’s Causeway is impressive because he can come from the clouds or lead. He’s also very good on cushion track which is something that Curlin may or may not be. That makes Heatseeker a very viable long-shot to take down t he champ.

3. Tiago - - He will need to improve quite a bit in order to challenge the top two, but he can because his trainer is John Shireffs. Also, let’s not forget that the Breeders’ Cup is at his home track this year - - Santa Anita Park.

4. Divine Park - - Caught Commentator in his last and has the ability to be a very nice summer horse. What else can this guy do? I’m not sure, but there’s not a whole lot about him that I don’t like. Horses can improve tons during the summer months and the fact that he beat Commentator, a Grade I winner, in his last race tells me that this dude is for real.

5. Zenyatta - - John Shireffs’ other big stud isn’t a stud at all. She’s a filly, but she’s probably the second best horse in the nation after Curlin. Why am I not going to put her higher on the rankings? Her connections might not want to test the boys in America’s biggest horse race.

6. Big Brown - - If he ain’t hurt, then maybe he comes back and turns into the horse that everybody and their mother thought he was before Saturday’s debacle. In any case, he could be up against it against the top five. He’s still a 3-year old and I’m interested to see how much the Triple Crown took out of him. While the rest on this list will improve in the summer months, Big Brown could just be too tired to bounce back.

7. Da’ Tara - - Yes, I am a believer. His breeding is terrific and it was around this time that his daddy, Tiznow, began to turn things on. I have to like this guy moving forward. Zito will get him ready for the Breeders’ Cup and there’s no telling how much better he can get from now until October.

8. Casino Drive - - The Japanese plan on bringing him back for the Breeders’ Cup. They are using kid gloves on him which makes perfect sense since he’s a $950,000 buy. If he makes the race, then I guarantee you he will run well. The cushion track should be perfect for him.

9. Colonel John - - Hasn’t been heard of since his Kentucky Derby flop, but this is another Santa Anita horse that absolutely loves that cushion track. Trainer Eoin Harty will have this one prep in a few races over the summer, at least two, I hope, and that should set him up well for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

10. Midnight Lute - - It’s not out of the question for trainer Bob Baffert to point this horse to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was sensational last year winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint - - why not go for the Classic in a race where only one stand-out - - Curlin - - appears capable of dominating the race? His dad is Real Quiet which means he should have no issue with the 1 ¼ mile distance.

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