When Excaper nearly shocked the world with a second-place finish at 33-1 in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, it seemed just a matter of time before the Ian Black-trained […]
When Excaper nearly shocked the world with a second-place finish at 33-1 in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, it seemed just a matter of time before the Ian Black-trained Exchange Rate colt would be building a resume of stakes titles. Since then, however, time has gone on, and although Excaper has had his chances, and a handful of runner-up finishes in multiple events including the Grade III Kent Stakes at Delaware Park, he has yet to find the win that seemed to be promised at Churchill two years ago.
\n
\n
This Sunday at Woodbine, Excaper will have another chance, when he goes into the gate against 12 others in the $200,000 Grade II Play the King Stakes at seven furlongs on the Woodbine turf course. It will be his second start of the season after a long layoff following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grade III Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill last November. Excaper made his 2013 bow in mid-July by winning an OAC event at the same distance on the same course, experience his connections hope will serve him well.
\n
\n
Saturday at Woodbine will see the running of the $125,000 Swynford Stakes for two-year-olds going seven furlongs on the Polytrack. The morning line favorite for that one at 9-5 is I Got That Memo, a Kentucky-bred who came five-wide to break his maiden first time out at Woodbine three weeks ago. Second choice at 5-2 is Spadina Road who is also looking to begin his career two-for-two, after scoring an impressive 6 ½ length score at first asking in late July. An upset chance might be 15-1 Danny Ocean, the only starter with stakes experience.
\n
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
Join The Conversation