Getting Ready for  BC 2023

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Posting Plans

 

   First, I regret skipping Saratoga’s 2023 meet.  I was able to watch all races on TV here in the Albany area, but was unable to do the research needed to make any logical wagers.   As luck would have it, the weather did not cooperate either.  

  Since Labor Day, stamina has improved tenfold and I have been following the sport with great interest. 

  Only one posting for both days will be made on Thursday, November 2nd before 12 Noon.   

The Handicapping

  Veterans of  Breeders’ Cup wagering know there is only one way to handicap.  We are not looking for the best horse to cash a ticket.  Nope.   We are selecting horses trending upward at this time of the year.  

  And now for a little history.  

  In a taped interview for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, legendary trainer H. Allen Jerkens discussed “Sky Beauty”, his wonderful filly who banked $1.2 million on the track from 1992-95.   He said she was never any good in the Fall, and he tried everything with her but nothing worked.  She just would not be effective in October.     On the other hand, a New York bred gelding named “Evening Attire” was just the opposite.   When the first warm day of Spring happened, he was done for 5 months.  Then, when the first cold day of September happened, “Evening Attire” would put himself into training on the farm.  He would run all day in the field and kick and scream until he was taken to a race track.   

  No, “Evening Attire” was not Breeders’ Cup material.   When the gate opened, he would drop back in the field.  You almost needed a search warrant to find him, until the field rounded the far turn.  Then “Evening Attire” would unleash his finishing kick, and usually cash a check.  

The Sources

   As the BC races approach, I like to read “Blood Horse” and “Horse Racing Nation”.  Both are .coms and both are free.   Once in a while, the reader can glean a trend or two from these outlets.   I also use pedigreequery.com to look at pedigrees.   My friend “Spongie” uses clocker reports available from DRF.   He is looking for trends too. 

OK - - that’s enough for now.  Thanks to all who sent notes of encouragement, especially Tom from Wisconsin and from my friends (whom I have never met) from Panama.   See you on November 2nd.     

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