Breeders' Cup Handicapping: Making Breeders' Cup Picks

The 2008 Breeders' Cup Championship takes place on October 24 and 25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park and as the final race of the thoroughbred season it promises to be one of the year's finest horse racing events. However, with 14 races to keep track of handicapping and picking Breeders' Cup winners is no easy task.

The 14 Breeders' Cup races you'll be handicapping are the Juvenile and the Juvenile Fillies, and the Filly & Mare Turf for females ages three and up; the Sprint, the Mile, and the Turf. Here are a few handicapping tips that could make it easier for you to pick a Breeders' Cup winner:

When it comes to handicapping the Breeders' Cup, it's good to know where your money is going

You are not betting against the track but rather against everyone who is making a similar type of wager for a particular race. For example, if you bet on a horse to win, your bet goes into the win pool. Based on how much is wagered on each horse within that race to win, the odds will change accordingly.

Longshots are for experienced Breeders' Cup handicappers

If you've never tried your hand at handicapping the Breeders' Cup before, you may want to start by taking an easy short cut. First, eliminate half of the horses in each race by their highest odds. For example, if one of the races has 12 horses, then find the six horses listed at the highest odds and scratch them off your list. (If a race has an odd number of entries, round up: 11 horses entered, use the 6 lowest odds horses).

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Research recent race results for each horse

Take a look at all of the horses in each of the eleven Breeders' Cup races and pull out those horses that have an outstanding record of racing at Santa Anita Park. These are the horses you'll want to examine more closely and, perhaps, pick on to win.

Consider that speed down the stretch wins races

In your research, if you see that a particular horse has come from just off the pace in their most recent race and then drawn away through the stretch to win by more than four lengths, they will often perform well in their next start, even when moving up in class at good odds.

Looks at post parade and past racing performances

Pay attention to the past efforts of each horse in each race. As well, note any important information about any past meet, including a list of the leading jockeys, leading trainers, and statistics about post positions. Again, this is where your pre-Breeders' Cup research pays off.

How to use past performances when handicapping and making your Breeders' Cup picks:

1. Select a race whose race conditions you have became familiar with.
2. Examine the past performances of the first horse in the race, from its oldest race through its most recent race. This should include a narrative of the horse's career, its preferences, ability, and limitations.
3. Check how the horse fits the race conditions by highlighting the distance, surface, class level and race restrictions of its most successful efforts in the past performances.
4. Review the horse's lifetime record section of its past performances, checking for any significant statistics for the track, surface, distance or its overall record.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each horse entered in the race.
6. Check whether any horse has an advantage over its opponents based on its current form.
7. Check whether any horse has an advantage over its opponents based on the anticipated pace of the race.

Know your trainers and jockeys

Read up on the leading trainers and jockeys taking part in the Breeders' Cup. Watch for jockeys and trainers who have been doing particularly well over the course of the season. Check the standings to find out which horse has a leading trainer and jockey on its team.

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Learn the basics of race conditions

The condition of a race track is important when it comes to assessing a horse's performance in a race.

Listen to the pre-race commentaries and interviews

Commentators for big races like the Breeders' Cup know what they're talking about and you will be amazed at how much useful information you will get from them and the trainers prior to the start of each race. This could make or break your Breeders' Cup picks.

Note any changes in the horse's equipment

Blinders, for example, are used to limit the horse's vision and to prevent them from swerving caused by objects or other horses. If you notice that a horse is wearing them for the first time or racing without them for the first time, this may be used to your advantage when handicapping the Breeders' Cup.

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Note the current condition of the horse

The condition of the horse is defined as the fitness of a thoroughbred. How prepared he is to run a particular race. When did he race last? What kind of shape is he in today? If a horse is racing for the first time in a month or so, you'll want to know if he has been getting a good workout on a regular basis prior to coming into the Breeders' Cup.

More articles from the Breeders' Cup Betting Guide:

• Previous: Breeders' Cup Winners
• Next: Understanding How Breeders' Cup Selections and Entries Are Made