Breeders’ Cup horse betting fans may not know this, but entering a horse is very hard work; a task which requires a lot of patience and persistence. You really have to worm your way inside inch by inch. Sometimes you have to back up a little in order to advance further, but it’s also very rewarding, especially if your horse finishes first. At no time is this truer than when you’re trying to enter your horse in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In fact, you have to pre-enter your horse, as if in one of those posh schools for gifted children.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Pre-entries
1. California Chrome Breeders’ Cup
• Jockey: To be determined.
• Trainer: Art Sherman.
• Owner: California Chrome, LLC.
• Breeder: Perry Martin & Steve Coburn.
• Sire: Lucky Pulpit.
• Dam: Love the Chase.
• Starts: 15 wins, 3 places, 1 show.
• Earnings: $13,432,650
2. Frosted
• Jockey: To be determined.
• Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
• Owner: Godolphin Racing LLC.
• Breeder: Darley.
• Sire: Tapit.
• Dam: Fast Cookie.
• Starts: 6 wins, 6 places, 6 shows.
• Earnings: $3,912,800
3. Hoppertunity
• Jockey: To be determined.
• Trainer: Bob Baffert.
• Owner: Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul.
• Breeder: Betz/D.J. Stable/Kidder/J. Betz/Robenalt.
• Sire: Any Given Saturday.
• Dam: Refugee.
• Starts: 6 wins, 6 places, 4 shows.
• Earnings: $3,562,675
4. Melatonin
• Jockey: To be determined.
• Trainer: David Hofmans.
• Owner: Tarabilla Farms, Inc.
• Breeder: S.D. Brilie, L.P.
• Sire: Kodiak Kowboy.
• Dam: Yanquee Reign.
• Starts: 5 wins, 3 places, 3 shows.
• Earnings: $1,218,552
5. Arrogate
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Bob Baffert.
• Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
• Breeder: Clearsky Farms.
• Sire: Unbridled’s Song.
• Dam: Bubbler.
• Starts: 4 wins, 0 places, 1 show.
• Earnings: $784,600
6. Effinex:
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: James Jerkens.
• Owner: Tri-Bone Stables.
• Breeder: Dr. Russell S. Cohen.
• Sire: Mineshaft.
• Dam: What a Pear.
• Starts: 9 wins, 3 places, 4 shows.
• Earnings: $3,247,950
7. Found
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Aidan P. O’Brien.
• Owner: M.Tabor/D.Smith/Mme J.Magnier.
• Breeder: Roncon, Wynatt & Chelston.
• Sire: Galileo.
• Dam: Red Evie.
• Starts: 6 wins, 10 places, 2 shows.
• Earnings: $6,909,750
8. Gun Runner
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Steve Asmussen.
• Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stables.
• Breeder: Besilu Stables, LLC.
• Sire: Candy Ride.
• Dam: Quiet Giant.
• Starts: 5 wins, 1 place, 2 shows.
• Earnings: $1,573,300
9. Highland Reel
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Aidan P. O’Brien.
• Owner: D.Smith/Mme J.Magnier/M.Tabor.
• Breeder: Hveger Syndicate.
• Sire: Galileo.
• Dam: Hveger.
• Starts: 6 wins, 5 places, 1 show.
• Earnings: $5,100,647
10. Keen Ice
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
• Owner: Donegal Racing.
• Breeder: Glencrest Farm.
• Sire: Curlin.
• Dam: Medomak.
• Starts: 2 wins, 1 place, 4 shows.
• Earnings: $1,827,645
11. Nyquist
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Doug O’Neill.
• Owner: Reddam Racing LLC.
• Breeder: Summerhill Farm.
• Sire: Uncle Mo.
• Dam: Seeking Gabrielle.
• Starts: 8 wins, 0 places, 1 show.
• Earnings: $5,189,200
12. Shaman Ghost
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: James Jerkens.
• Owner: Stronach Stables.
• Breeder: Adena Springs.
• Sire: Ghostzapper.
• Dam: Getback Time.
• Starts: 6 wins, 1 place, 1 show.
• Earnings: $1,453,414
13. War Story
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: Mario Serey, Jr.
• Owner: Loooch Racing Stables, Inc. and Ellis, Glenn K.
• Breeder: Jack Swain III.
• Sire: Northern Afleet.
• Dam: Belle Waiting.
• Starts: 3 wins, 3 places, 2 shows.
• Earnings: $399,395
14. Win the Space
• Jockey: TBD.
• Trainer: George Papaprodromou.
• Owner: Kretz Racing LLC.
• Breeder: Spendthrift Farm, LLC.
• Sire: Pulpit.
• Dam: Teamgeist.
• Starts: 3 wins, 1 place, 4 shows.
• Earnings: $292,572
Nyquist and Gun Runner should be instant favorites of people who bet on horses. If I were a horse betting man I’d also like Nyquist, but mostly for sentimental reasons; his dam’s name brings back memories.