Posted on 10/9/2007 6:06:47 PM

Breeders Cup Betting: Juvenile Preview

By Brian Mulligan

For the first time in history, the 2006 Juvenile champ is still around in his sophomore year sniffing glory and the candidates this season can only hope to become as successful as last year’s winner Street Sense. Before we get into the babies that are trying to become men this year in the big test in Jersey, let’s examine what a BC Juvenile hero has encompassed over the years.

What faces bettors is the puzzle that is maturity. These youngsters are improving just about hourly and runners that have had only a race or two are eligible to steal the thunder when the money is down.

Gamblers know that race shape is always an important issue and over the decades different styles have been effective. But generally, and what is also projected on this Monmouth Park surface this year, is that speed horses and stalker types will be in the best position to win.

Last year may have just been a case of the best horse winning by the largest margin ever of 10 lengths. Street Sense overcame a checked start as he came from second to last to win at 15-1. Horse bettors should not expect luck to shine like that on the winner this season with Monmouth kind toward speed generally.

This is an event that demands imagination with a full field in prospect and with many horses going synthetic to dirt, an upset could very well be in the cards. The average winning price over the years in the Juvenile has been around $16.

Once again, if you want to walk away for the Cup this year with a winning wager that may possibly change your lifestyle, go to the superfecta. Street Sense beat the favorite last year, the 2nd choice was 4th, the 4th choice was third and the ‘super’ still came back nearly 4 grand.

One of the key preps, and one that Street Sense won in 2006, is a perfect illustration of why one should try to hit the grand slam. On October 6 Wicked Style tow-roped the field winning the Lane’s End at Keeneland with the 2nd choice finishing 2nd, the 4th choice finishing 4th and a 24-1 shot a clear third.

The pace was slow, it will be suicidal at Monmouth, but still the superfecta came back nearly $26,000. Enough said.

Here are the shooting stars to watch at the shore. Salute the Sarge commands respect.

He runs like a horse that has something to prove and he never seems to be doing his best but at crunch time, he shows up. He has never been out of the exacta and bettors have to know the blood is there too. All three sibs are multiple race winners including the super talented over $350K earner Chelokee.

On the other coast is Kodiak Kowboy, who has pretty much done whatever he has been asked. He was upset in the Futurity but that may be a blessing in disguise, as you don’t want to peak too early. He has only lost twice and once was in the educational debut.

As the race nears, bettors should keep their eyes open for a runner that has enough speed to stay within a couple of lengths of a projected leader and still has a style that can pounce in time.

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