Breeders Cup Betting Preview: Experts Pick Curlin and Ravens Pass

Breeders Cup Free Picks

The field for the 25th Breeders’ Cup Classic was drawn on Tuesday at Santa Anita and twelve horses will compete for $5 million, including defending champion Curlin. 

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com opened Curlin as a 7/5 favorite. When asked to handicap this Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup, our group of handicappers narrowed down the field to the top three horses to watch out for:

Curlin: Can this legend add to his already legendary career? Besides being the U.S. Horse of the Year, Curlin has made more than $10 million in North America, which puts him at the #1 spot of all time. The one negative our handicappers are quick to point out is the fact that his last two races (Jockey Club Gold and Woodward) were not impressive by his standards despite getting a 111 and 112 Beyer rating.

Current Odds: 13/8

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

Raven’s Pass: Our upset pick to win the race, this European invader has the potential to take right to the new surface and use that as an advantage over the top horses in the field. Despite never racing beyond a mile on anything but turf, his Group 1 victory out at Ascot was very impressive. Toss in the fact his first eleven starts were on turf in high level races, Raven’s Pass could shock the horseracing world on Saturday.
Current Odds: 8/1

Go Between: Our in-house handicappers are calling this horse the “Synthetic Track King” as he has finished first or second raking up $1.6 million in all six starts on synthetic turf. Besides the edge on the new track surface, Go Between has put up his two best career races at this very track (Santa Anita). Insiders also report he looked amazing this week training on the track.
Current odds: 8/1

After reviewing the field, we are going to back Go Between over Curlin and Raven’s Pass. We like European invader, Raven’s Pass to be a solid bet to box in with Curlin and Go Between, but do not feel as they come down the stretch he can pull off the upset.

It is key to point out that Curlin’s only loss was in 2007 when he raced on a surface that was new to him. Curlin will most likely have the edge on speed down the stretch over Go Between, but the historical dominance on this track surface has us putting our money down on Go Between to win the 25th Breeder’s Cup Classic.

2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds – 25th October 2008 – Santa Anita

Go Between 8/1

Casino Drive 8/1

Tiago 25/1

Duke Of Marmalade 8/1

Henrythenavigator 8/1

Smooth Air 50/1 

Student Council16/1

Raven’s Pass 8/1

Curlin 13/8

Fairbanks 25/1

Colonel John 10/1

Champs Elysees 25/1

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Posted: 10/25/08 8:00 AM ET

Chris Rocco is a professional sports handicapper and founder of Rock Box Sports. His analysis and selections for sporting events of all kinds can be found at daily at his website www.rockboxsports.com