Ravens Pass Solid Pick to Win 2008 Breeders Cup at 8/1 Odds

Raven’s Pass Odds

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship takes place this Saturday in Santa Anita.

And oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have established Raven’s Pass as an 8/1 longshot.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

Want a reason to bet on Raven’s Pass this weekend? Try the turf. The thoroughbred’s first 11 starts of his career were made on turf in Europe, with most of them coming in top-level mile races. With Santa Anita switching to a new synthetic Pro-Ride surface, Raven’s Pass has a small edge on most of the racehorses on Saturday.

“I wouldn’t be running in the Classic if it was still on the dirt,” Raven’s Pass trainer John Gosden said before adding: “The problem with dirt is not the surface you’re on, it’s the kickback. European horses have never, ever, ever suffered kickback in their face. With this (the turf), I think it’s a level playing field.”

Raven’s Pass has a high ceiling of potential and is a strong candidate to knock off odds favorite Curlin this weekend. The only concern right now is that Raven’s Pass has never raced around two turns or beyond one mile. If that doesn’t scare you off, there’s tremendous value in this horse, especially considering it’s a European thoroughbred that does its best work on turf surfaces like the one in Santa Anita.

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

Fairbanks25/1

Colonel John 10/1

Champs Elysees 25/1

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Posted: 10/25/08 2:00 PM 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