Finally Back at Churchill Downs
With the brand new, beautifully remodeled Churchill Downs patiently awaiting its first Breeder?s Cup since 2000, competitors and fans alike will notice the excellent track layout, as well as a seasoned staff who know how to put on a big event.
No More NBC
After 23 years of NBC covering the Breeder?s Cup telecast, the event moves to ESPN for the first year of an eight-year run. Expect ESPN to incorporate some new flare designed to put a signature on the telecast.
More Time between Races
Instead of the usual five-hour time slot allocated to the event when televised by NBC, ESPN is devoting a full seven hours to the telecast. What does this mean exactly? Races will no longer run in tight 30-minute intervals; which may have been fine for people watching at home, but it made things a little tight for those attending in person and dealing with the occasional long line to bet. Now races will be run at roughly 35-minute intervals, which will keep a lot of people from getting shut out, without slowing down the day too much.
Trevor Denman
Tom Durkin will no longer provide his unmistakable voice for the first time in the Breeders' Cup 23-year history. I can?t imagine someone doing a better job than Durkin, but Denman is enormously popular and skillful in his own right, and it should be interesting to see how he affects the general ?aura? of the racing day.
International Appeal
With the world?s best horses gathering in Louisville on November the 4th, it?s no surprise that international rivalries will attract lots of the attention at the event. The European-based runners, especially the turfers, are exceptional as usual this year. So here?s hoping that English Channel, Aragorn, Cacique, or Gorella can capture a turf race or two for the home team.
Those Exotic Prices!
In an ordinary nine-horse field, there are 72 different possible exacta outcomes. In the 14-horse Breeders' Cup field, there are 182. The differences are even more severe when figuring out trifectas and superfectas. So don't feel intimidated by the big fields. Handicap with confidence, search for the horses worth playing, and know that if you're right, the Cup will make it worth more than twice your while.
Odds to win the Breeders? Cup Classic - Saturday, November 4th, 2006
AP Warrior 21/1
Bandini 35/1
Bellamy Road 20/1
Bernardini 7/4
Bluegrass Cat 22/1
Bob And John 24/1
Brass Hat 29/1
Bright One 30/1
Brother Derek 26/1
Buzzards Bay 30/1
Cindago 29/2
Commentator 14/1
David Junior 13/1
Discreet Cat 25/2
Dylan Thomas 12/1
Flower Alley 31/1
Giacomo 26/1
Hitchcock 31/1
Invasor 9/2
Jazil 18/1
Lava Man 25/4
Lawyer Ron 20/1
Perfect Drift 30/1
Point Determined 21/1
Premium Tap 18/1
Second Of June 22/1
Seek Gold 25/1
Shirocco 7/1
Stevie Wonderboy 30/1
Suave 30/1
Sun King 37/2
Super Frolic 30/1
Surf Cat 21/1
Field (Any other Horse) 6/1
With the brand new, beautifully remodeled Churchill Downs patiently awaiting its first Breeder?s Cup since 2000, competitors and fans alike will notice the excellent track layout, as well as a seasoned staff who know how to put on a big event.
No More NBC
After 23 years of NBC covering the Breeder?s Cup telecast, the event moves to ESPN for the first year of an eight-year run. Expect ESPN to incorporate some new flare designed to put a signature on the telecast.
More Time between Races
Instead of the usual five-hour time slot allocated to the event when televised by NBC, ESPN is devoting a full seven hours to the telecast. What does this mean exactly? Races will no longer run in tight 30-minute intervals; which may have been fine for people watching at home, but it made things a little tight for those attending in person and dealing with the occasional long line to bet. Now races will be run at roughly 35-minute intervals, which will keep a lot of people from getting shut out, without slowing down the day too much.
Trevor Denman
Tom Durkin will no longer provide his unmistakable voice for the first time in the Breeders' Cup 23-year history. I can?t imagine someone doing a better job than Durkin, but Denman is enormously popular and skillful in his own right, and it should be interesting to see how he affects the general ?aura? of the racing day.
International Appeal
With the world?s best horses gathering in Louisville on November the 4th, it?s no surprise that international rivalries will attract lots of the attention at the event. The European-based runners, especially the turfers, are exceptional as usual this year. So here?s hoping that English Channel, Aragorn, Cacique, or Gorella can capture a turf race or two for the home team.
Those Exotic Prices!
In an ordinary nine-horse field, there are 72 different possible exacta outcomes. In the 14-horse Breeders' Cup field, there are 182. The differences are even more severe when figuring out trifectas and superfectas. So don't feel intimidated by the big fields. Handicap with confidence, search for the horses worth playing, and know that if you're right, the Cup will make it worth more than twice your while.
Odds to win the Breeders? Cup Classic - Saturday, November 4th, 2006
AP Warrior 21/1
Bandini 35/1
Bellamy Road 20/1
Bernardini 7/4
Bluegrass Cat 22/1
Bob And John 24/1
Brass Hat 29/1
Bright One 30/1
Brother Derek 26/1
Buzzards Bay 30/1
Cindago 29/2
Commentator 14/1
David Junior 13/1
Discreet Cat 25/2
Dylan Thomas 12/1
Flower Alley 31/1
Giacomo 26/1
Hitchcock 31/1
Invasor 9/2
Jazil 18/1
Lava Man 25/4
Lawyer Ron 20/1
Perfect Drift 30/1
Point Determined 21/1
Premium Tap 18/1
Second Of June 22/1
Seek Gold 25/1
Shirocco 7/1
Stevie Wonderboy 30/1
Suave 30/1
Sun King 37/2
Super Frolic 30/1
Surf Cat 21/1
Field (Any other Horse) 6/1
