Breeders' Cup Betting - Nineteen of 141 BC Horses Entered in 2 Races

Six of the 11 Breeders’ Cup races on Oct. 26-27 attracted more than the maximum allotted starting spots in their respective divisions.

In all, 141 horses were pre-entered while 19 were nominated for two races in case they didn’t realize their first preference.

For instance, 23 juveniles were pre-entered in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at a mile on Oct. 26. Since only a dozen can start, two less than the other 10 races, several were pre-entered in the two other juvenile races.

The Juvenile Turf is the second choice for Annie Skates, the only filly in the contest that is open to all 2-year-olds. The daughter of Mr. Greeley is cross-entered in the Juvenile Fillies, one of two hoping to get in.

Shore Do’s first choice is the Juvenile and the son of Include is in if his owners don’t change their mind. Overextended, however, is one of two horses hoping to run on the dirt.

Two others have back-up plans. Old Man Buck and Texas Fever listed the Juvenile as their second preference.

The number of individual horses per race averages out to 13.1 compared to 15.1 in ’06, but don’t forget there are three additional races this year.

The Classic on Oct. 27 could have accommodated five more horses. It’s one of five contests that didn’t exceed the limit of 14. Nine were pre-entered, but Diamond Stripes most likely will go in his first choice, the Dirt Mile.

The last time the Classic field numbered eight was in ’89 when Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Sunday Silence edged Belmont victor Easy Goer by a neck. It was only the third time in its 23-year history that the field was so small.

The last time nine ran was in ’98 when Skip Away destroyed by six lengths a classy group that included Deputy Commander, second; Behrens, seventh; and Belmont winner Touch Gold, ninth and last.

Tiznow was the last of seven 3-year-olds that scored in ’00 in the first of his consecutive Classic victories. The odds favor the younger set this year.

The so-called Scary Six responsible for limiting the field includes five 3-year-olds that shared the limelight during an exciting season.

The most successful are Derby/Travers champ Street Sense and Preakness/Jockey Gold Cup winner Curlin, plus Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun and Tiago. The top dog among older horses is Lawyer Ron.

Breeders Cup Betting at WagerWeb Online Racebook.