Breeders' Cup Preview Weekend live chat: Belmont, Santa Anita stakes
DRF handicappers Dave Litfin and Steve Andersen hosted a live chat on Friday night to preview the slate of Grade 1 stakes races this weekend at Belmont Park and Santa Anita Park.
Question: Thoughts on uncle mo vs older? He could cruise to an easy lead, but two inside of him are pretty nice horses.
Dave Litfin: 'Mo's task easier with Sangaree out, but he's not a speed-burning type
Question: Do you think Trappe Shot will be odds-on in the Vosburgh?
Dave Litfin: I was thinking 8-5 before Big Drama came out...6-5 or so now.
Question: Who is your upset horse of the day at Belmont?
Dave Litfin: I suppose if Emerald Beech won at $15, I'd just shrug and say, "she's really good now."
Question: What do you think about the odds for Stay Thirsty?
Dave Litfin: I would've made him the favorite.
Question: Bill Mott seems to have a lot of upset possibilities. You guys like any of his runners?
Steve Andersen: Looking at the NY races from afar, Deluxe is an alternative to Stacelita in the Flower Bowl. She should improve following her Saratoga race.
Dave Litfin: Deluxe and Royal Delta are the logical alternatives to Stacelita and Havre de Grace; Birdrun loves Belmont (track record holder at 1 1/16 miles), but not in as a rabbit - this is prep for BC Marathon.
Steve Andersen: Blind Luck looks pretty sharp, if she can rundown the Saratoga star Ask the Moon, who has taken to this track well. Zazu is worth a look as well, she closed considerable ground in last furlong of Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.
Question: Dave, do you think the turf will be closer to good or closer to the soft for the Flower Bowl and Hirsch TC?
Dave Litfin: If no more rain, yielding ... If more rain overnight and into the morning (as forecast), then yielding to soft.
Question: Best bets on the Saturday cards, East or West?
Steve Andersen: I think Dubawi Heights will be tough to beat in the 10th race, the Yellow Ribbon Stakes. She is favored, though. In a non-stakes race, Mega Heat, an 8-1 shot, is worth a look in the eighth race, an allowance on turf.
Question: Anybody have any insights as to how Flat Out will handle the extra distance?
Dave Litfin: Stacelita looks like a stickout on class in Flower Bowl. The 1 1/4 miles is a major question for Flat Out; dam's best runner to date was a miler.
Question: Nobody's talking about Aruna. I like her in the ex to Stacy. Am I crazy?
Dave Litfin: She gets points for consistency... but 1 1/4 miles is a question, as would be soft turf.
Steve Andersen: Agreed. Aruna did run well enough in the All Along and Diana to suggest that she can be a factor
Question: Steve, any l'Arc de Triomphe tips?
Steve Andersen: I like Galikova, and feel she has more improvement, but must respect So You Think. What's different about this year's race is the ground will be good, and maybe good to firm. In past years, it's typically been soft, but this has been a very warm week in Paris and will bo so this weekend, too.
Question: Steve, do you like Blind Luck in the Yellow Ribbon?
Steve Andersen: In the Yellow Ribbon, Blind Luck will have a tough job catching Ask the Moon in Lady's Secret.
BREEDERS' CUP PREVIEW WEEKEND: Saturday stakes previews and live video on DRF.com »