2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint - Zensational a Huge Favorite

The superstar Zensational, from the Bob Baffert barn, figures to be one of the shortest priced favorites this Saturday when horses take the track for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup.

Zensational has won four races in a row including three Grade I’s and has shown the ability to excel over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface.  The son of Unbridled’s Song is an exceptional horse, but the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint is loaded with exceptional horses.

Let’s take a look at the 2009 Breeders‘ Cup Sprint right now.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Santa Anita Park
Nov. 7th 3:10 pm EST

Breeders' Cup Odds:

Capt. Candyman Can - - +700 current odds

Don’t think that this long shot can take down Zensational?  Then you haven’t been paying attention to the Sprint preps.  Capt. Candyman Can has always been well regarded and even though he has finished 2nd in his last three races, he’s done so better than any other 2nd place finisher could dream of doing.  In the Grade II Amsterdam, Capt. Candyman Can lost by only 2 ¼ lengths to Classic contender Quality Road.  Then, in the Grade I King’s Bishop he lost by a head to the brilliant Vineyard Haven but was placed 1st after Vineyard Haven bumped him in the stretch.  In the Grade III Phoenix over the Polytrack at Keeneland, the Candyman made a furious rally only to come up a half lengths short to the super fast Fatal Bullet.  With Fatal Bullet giving Zensational all that he can handle on the front end in this, I expect the Candyman to come flying home for the victory.

Gayego - - +400 current odds

Gayego’s victory in the Grade I Ancient Title in his last race was terrific not because of the turn of foot he showed but because of when he showed it.  Jockey Garret Gomez didn’t push the button on Gayego until well within the lane.  That was when Gayego turned on the jets.  It looked like he was the only one still running in the race.  The victory was breathtaking and because it occurred over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface, the son of Gilded Time has to be given a huge shot to win the Sprint on Saturday.  Like Capt. Candyman Can, the pace of the Sprint should set up Gayego’s awesome closing kick.  He should be dueling with the Candyman close to the wire.

Fatal Bullet - - +600 current odds

I just don’t understand why this exceptionally fast horse isn’t being given the same respect that Zensational is being given.  After all, Fatal Bullet did finish second in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and has won two races since.  The son of Red Bullet is actually faster than Zensational and if it hadn’t been for the brilliant Midnight Lute in last year’s version of this race, he’d be a Breeders’ Cup Champion.  Horseplayers shouldn’t look past this speedster on Saturday.

Zensational - - +125 current odds

He’s in excellent form, comes from a dynamite barn and has won four races in a row.  He’s the king of SoCal in the Sprint Division and has no issues running over all weather surfaces.  Then, what’s the problem?  The odds on Zensational make him a terrible overlaid bet in this race because he just hasn’t been facing the type of competition he figures to face this Saturday.  That and the fact that Fatal Bullet is actually faster early than he is means that Zensational could caught up in a speed duel.  I’ll have to pass on Bob Baffert’s superstar to win in this spot.

On Race Day

I love Capt. Candyman Can and will key him in some big exactas and trifectas.  For the Pick 3s and Pick 4s, going three deep with Gayego, the Candyman and Fatal Bullet looks like the way to go.  I’m leaving out Zensational in my hopes of hitting a home run.