2009 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic Preview

Race-day: 11/6/2009

Race-time: 6:45 pm EST

If Zenyatta’s connections, the Mosses and trainer John Shirreffs, decide to bypass the this Friday’s Ladies’ Classic to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, then expect a long shot to possibly win the biggest race for distaffers in the United States.

No Zenyatta means a wide open affair for a number of reasons. It would be a nice change to a race that the Breeders’ Cup is trying to bill as close to on par as the biggest race of the year, the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

This year, with the likelihood of Zenyatta not stepping into the gate, more than one fantastic female horse will try for some of the $2,000,000 purse in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

Let’s take a look at who could possibly win the race, sans Zenyatta.

Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic

** With odds in the BetUS online racebook

Santa Anita Park

1 1/8 miles over Pro-Ride

Rainbow View - - +600 current odds

This 3 year old daughter of Dynaformer just lost by 1 ¼ lengths to long shot Lahleeb on the turf in the Grade I E.P. Taylor stakes. She figures to improve mightily in this race as she should transfer for her turf form to the Pro-Ride for trainer John Gosden and is all class having beaten Heaven Sent two back in a Grade I at Leopardstown.

She showed the ability to stay close to pace in the E.P. Taylor and just didn’t fire but with some others doing her dirty work for her in this, Rainbow View, figures to put in a brilliant run and hopefully catch speedster Careless Jewel close to the wire.

Proviso - - +600 current odds

Proviso was unlucky to be taken down in her first try stateside, the Grade I Spinster Stakes. She appeared a clear cut winner until Mushka began a late rally in the lane. Proviso did drift out, although from my perspective she would have won the race if she had stayed straight anyhow, and was disqualified to second.

No matter, she has a big shot in the Ladies’ Classic for two reasons. First, she has shown the ability to run over an all weather surface. Second, she has shown the turn of foot that will probably be needed in this race. She deserves all of the attention she most likely will be getting on race day.

Careless Jewel - - +350 current odds

Careless Jewel has been doing her best impersonation of Rachel Alexandra lately. She hasn’t been headed in three of her last four races and has pretty much dominated her competition winning by 7 ¼ lengths in the Grade II Delaware Oaks and by 11 lengths in the Grade I Alabama.

She definitely deserves consideration in the Ladies’ Classic, but she won’t be lone speed in this and her class must be questioned even though she’s won graded races. Why? Because the competitions she’s been facing is very suspect. Front runners rarely excel over the Pro-Ride at long distances. At the current odds she might not be worth a wager.

Coca Beach - - +450 current odds

Sure, she was just trounced by Zenyatta in her last race, the Grade I Lady’s Secret, but Zenyatta doesn’t figure to show up in this. Horseplayers should expect Cocoa Beach to show more speed in this race than she has in her last couple, maybe only 3 lengths off of Careless Jewel and Lethal Heat. That would be a good thing for those backing her. She’s obviously classy, loves the track, and appears to be rounding back into form. She has a shot.

On Race Day

I’m going to use Rainbow View and Proviso in all of my Pick 3, and Pick 4 wagers. I will also use both Rainbow View and Proviso as keys in my exacta and trifecta bet.

At 6 to 1, Rainbow View is an excellent wager right now to win the Ladies’ Classic.