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Horse Racing

The Marathon – Breeders Cup Picks

David weighs in with his preview for the 2009 Breeders Cup race The Marathon. On November 6th and 7th, 2009 Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California plays host to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships 14 races…

2009 Breeders Cup Race Preview- The Marathon

The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will be run on November 6th and 7th from Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, Ca. This year’s Cup features 14 races over the two day period with 6 races scheduled for Friday and 8 races slated to run on Saturday.

Here is a preview of the first race on the schedule:

Horse Betting at sportsbook.com

The Marathon
Friday November 6th
Post Time: 3:35 P.M. (EST)

The Marathon is a Weight for Age race open to Thoroughbreds age 3 and up. It is contested on a dirt track at a distance of 1 ¾ mile with a total prize purse of $500,000. There are four automatic bids awarded from wins in a designated Challenge Race for this division and the rest of the field is determined by total points earned over the course of the racing season.

What are you waiting for? Bet NOW! With $25.5 million in purses and awards spread over 14 exciting races, this international event is sure to give horse racing enthusiasts and bettors alike plenty of chances to pick their favorites to win.

The current favorites for this race are as follows:

  1. Alcomo – This six year old Brazilian bred earned an automatic bid with a win in the Greenwood Cup Handicap at Philadelphia Park. His best outing this year before this race was a 2nd place finish in the Nasty and Bold Stakes at Belmont Park.
  2. Mastercraftsman –  A win in the Grade 2 Diamond Stakes at Dundalk in Ireland guaranteed him a spot in the Marathon, but trainer Aidan O’Brian may have his sights set on running in the Mile or the Classic Division at Santa Anita.
  3. Nite Light – A wire to wire win in the Group 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship in September earned him an automatic spot in this race. In early October he finished second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup.
  4. Usual Suspect – Going off at 24-1, he came from behind to win the Cougar II Handicap for Del Mar to earn his automatic bid. Poor starts in his last two races make him a suspect contender for the Marathon.
  5. Eldaafer – This horse is leading the rest of the field in the point standings for the Marathon. After a big win back in June in the Brooklyn Handicap going off 17-1, this horse could be one to watch in this race.

Predicted order of finish for the Marathon:

Win – Nite Light

Place – Alcomo

Show – Eldaafer

Which horse is your favorite to win The Marathon Race at the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships? Place a horse racing bet after you JOIN FOR FREE TODAY!!!!


By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.