10/22/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 25th renewal of the Breeders' Cup will break new ground on three accounts. First, traditional dirt has been replaced by a synthetic surface called Pro-Ride at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita. Second, the two-day event will be broken down to five female races on Friday, with the males taking center stage with nine events on Saturday, and third, three new races will be run for the first time - the Juveniles Fillies Turf, the Marathon and the Turf Sprint.
The centerpiece of Saturday's action is the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic highlighted by Curlin, the richest thoroughbred in racing history, and Duke of Marmalade, winner of five Group 1 races this year in Europe. Big Brown would have been one of the favorites, but the Kentucky Derby champion injured his right front foot in a workout earlier this month and has been retired.
Last year's Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park was dominated by the weather, as rain bombarded the Northeast all weekend long. This year looks to be much brighter, as the temperatures will be in the mid-80s with zero rain in the forecast. Of course, the synthetic track surface makes this a moot point, but at least the turf will be firm.
FILLY & MARE SPRINT
The first of five Friday races is the second running of the Filly & Mare Sprint. Last year, the two favorites, Dream Rush and La Traviata, cooked each other early, paving the way for Maryfield to come off the pace to win by a half-length at 8-1.
This year, speed will once again be a factor, as no less than five fillies are capable of running the first four furlongs in under 45 seconds. In addition, the expected heavy favorite, Indian Blessing, who should be sitting right off the lead, could get run down in the final furlong if John Velazquez moves into the expected hot pace too early.
With that in mind, the best way to attack this race is to find a closer to pick up all the pieces, preferably a filly that has already proven to handle the track. That horse is Tiz Elemental. The Carla Gaines-trained four-year-old is three for seven (with three seconds) on synthetics, including a win in the Las Flores Handicap back in April.
The choice to round out the exacta is Intangaroo, a big-time closer and a three-time grade one winner in 2008. She has three wins in five starts at the distance, including the Ballerina at Saratoga, a race Maryfield won last year prior to taking the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
A long shot to keep an eye on is Tizzy's Tune. Despite going off at 20-1, she was able to win the Pine Tree Lane from off the pace, and a repeat effort could bring her right back to the winner's circle at a huge price.
JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
The inaugural running of the two-year-old fillies on the weeds is perhaps the weakest of the 14 events. The favorite should be Laragh, coming off an impressive victory in the Jessamine at Keeneland, a race in which she loped along un-pressured on the lead. With a serious lack of early speed in this race, the same scenario could take place once again.
However, it might be a tough turnaround returning from a 14-day respite though don't forget, she was 11-1 in the Jessamine.
The pick here, though, is Consequence. The regally-bred daughter of El Prado dominated maidens in her first outing at Saratoga, and then came up just short in her first route race in the Miss Grillo. Going off as the 6-5 favorite, she closed like gangbusters through the stretch to lose by only a half-length despite the yielding turf course.
The second choice is Saucey Evening. The two-year-old is coming into the race off a win in the Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies on the Pro-Ride surface in a faster time than the Juvenile colts ran the same day and she also won her only start on the turf.
JUVENILE FILLIES
Can anyone stop Stardom Bound? The daughter of Tapit has looked unbeatable in her last two races coming from out of the clouds to win the Oak Leaf and Del Mar Debutante. On the other hand, how many times can she get away with breaking slow and sweeping the field through the stretch?
The probable second choice will be Sky Diva. The Steve Klesaris-trained filly is undefeated with a pair of victories, but New York-based horses will be at a major disadvantage moving from dirt to synthetics.
The choice here is C.S. Silk. Dale Romans brings her over to Santa Anita after dismantling an 11-horse field in the Arlington Washington Lassie by six lengths. She was pressured on the lead through splits of 22 1/5, 45 2/5 and six furlongs in 1:10 1/5, and was still able to earn an 84 Beyer number.
The second choice is the Irish-bred, Pursuit of Glory. The daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus, who has already won on artificial dirt in Ireland, came back to finish third in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes in her next start in Great Britain, and appears to be up for the challenge.
The long shot pick is Black Magic Mama, who ran a deceptively strong race in the Oak Leaf while finishing fourth.
FILLY & MARE TURF
This event is the deepest of the five scheduled for Friday, as a case can be made for not just three or four challengers but almost every single member of the field.
The favorite should be Wait a While, the five-year-old mare who is undefeated on the Santa Anita turf. In addition, she has won three of four starts at the distance.
However, the top choice in this one is a three-year-old that will be at least 15-1, especially after drawing post 10. Pure Clan has won four of her five lifetime starts on the grass, including a win at the distance, and her only defeat came on a yielding course at Belmont Park.
Play Pure Clan to win, as well as on top and underneath of Wait a While.
LADIES CLASSIC (FORMERLY THE DISTAFF)
Zenyatta is the class of the field and should go off as the heaviest favorite of the day. She is undefeated with eight consecutive victories, including a win over the track in the Lady's Secret. Nevertheless, she has raced nine furlongs in just one of those eight starts, and the effort she put forth that afternoon in the Vanity Handicap was the least effective race of her career.
The pick in this one is Cocoa Beach. The Chilean-bred has won four straight against the girls with a huge win in the Beldame over last year's Distaff winner, Ginger Punch. Cocoa Beach has already taken to the Pro-Ride surface with a blistering five-furlong work over the track last weekend and could get the jump on Zenyatta as the field hits the stretch.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP PLAYS
Although the Breeders' Cup takes center stage this weekend with Saturday's selections being released this coming Friday afternoon, week nine of the college football season cannot be forgotten. The two key selections for this week are San Jose State and Arkansas as both teams are getting points at home from Boise State and Ole Miss, respectively.
The secondary picks are SMU, Tennessee, Arizona, and Kentucky.
<< Bears place Bowman on injured reserve
Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears placed rookie
defensive back Zack Bowman on injured reserve Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Bowman suffered a biceps injury during last Sunday's 48-41
victory over the Minnesota
<< Oilers take unbeaten record to Chicago
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite a rash of injuries, the Oilers missed out on the
postseason by a mere three points last year. The club hopes a fast start this
season will help them get over the hump.
Undefeated Edmonton travels to Chicago tonigh
<< Sens continue homestand versus Panthers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ottawa Senators will continue a five-game homestand
tonight when they welcome the Florida Panthers to Scotiabank Place.
The Senators have alternated losses and wins ever since dropping their season
opener to Pittsburgh
<< Devils, Stars collide in New Jersey
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Devils will try to continue their excellent
start to the season when they welcome the Dallas Stars for an interconference
battle at the Prudential Center.
The Devils have won four of five games (4-1-0) to be
Eagles G Andrews undergoes back surgery, out at least six weeks >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Eagles right guard Shawn
Andrews will miss a minimum of six weeks and possibly the rest of the season
after undergoing back surgery, the team announced Wednesday.
The two-time Pro Bow
Pujols named Sporting News Player of the Year >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert
Pujols was named the Sporting News' Player of the Year, as selected by a panel
of 314 major league players.
Pujols batted .357 with 37 home runs and 116 runs b
Beckham close to Milan loan deal >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has
claimed that his club are all set to clinch the loan signing of former England
captain David Beckham from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 33-year-old is being lined
Torres disappointed to miss Atletico return >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is
devastated at missing out on the opportunity of making an emotional return to
Atletico Madrid.
The Spain international, who moved to Merseyside from the Vice
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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