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LONE STAR PARK

2004 Breeders Cup
By Marc Platt

Breeders Cup Distaff is 1 1/8 miles

() Azeri () will wisely run in the Distaff and end her career on a winning note. She has been a tad mismanaged by Lukas and Paulson most of the year, but has shown flashes of her old brilliance. I think Society Selection (), Storm Flag Flying () and Island Fashion () will be slugging it out for the exacta, trifecta and superfecta placings. Longshot - () Tamwheel ()

Betting Strategy: Azeri will be too short to bet on the win end. Key her on top of Number Society Selection, Number Storm Flag Flying and Number Island Fashion in exotics. I will single Number Azeri in the first Pick Four.

Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies is 1 1/16 miles

() Culinary () got a low-ish Beyer figure for a big win at Arlington. She was very impressive visually and beat a runner (Runway Model) who came back to beat stakes runners at Keeneland in the Albiciades Stakes. She has a huge chance to take this down. Sweet Catomine () was very impressive winning the Oak Leaf at Oak Tree for Julio Canani. She will likely be a big favorite when the gates open and has every right to move forward. Sharp Lisa () just missed to Runway Model at Keeneland and may be on the improve enough for the up-and-coming Doug O'Neill barn. Longshot - () Runway Model ()

Betting Strategy: I will play Number Culinary to win/place. I will Key Number Culinary top and bottom of Number Sweet Catomine, Number Sharp Lisa and Number Runway Model in exotics. I will use Number Culinary, Number Sharp Lisa and Number Runway Model in the Pick Four.

Breeders Cup Mile is 1 mile on the turf

Blackdoun () is a 3-year-old with a very strong late kick and the horse I am most eager to bet in the Breeders Cup races for Canani, who has won this very race twice in the past. Julio loves this guy a lot, even though he has mile monster Special Ring entered to run as well. Look for a very big effort today. Artie Schiller () keeps winning and finished second to Kitten's Joy. He has a huge chance to win this race for Jimmy Jerkins from fairly close to the pace. Six Perfections () was my pick last year and she delivered in a big way. Things have not panned out for her this year, but I cannot throw her out as she has a ton of class and talent and will be a good price. Longshot - () Singletary ()

Betting Strategy: I will bet both Number  Blackdoun and Number Artie Schiller to win. I will key Number  Blackdoun and Number Artie Schiller with Number Six Perfections, Number Special Ring and Number Singletary in exotics. I will use Blackdoun and Number Artie Schiller, Number  Blackdoun and Number Artie Schiller in the Pick Four.

Breeders Cup Sprint is 6 furlongs

Kela () has won some big races this year for Mitchell. He has also won at Lone Star and I give him a lot of points for that fact. The pace is almost always fast early and I think he can make his customary big move and mow them down late. Our New Recruit () won in Dubai and one other race this year for Sadler, who should have the speedster ready to rumble at Lone Star. Champali () is in great form and may be overlooked for trainer Foley. He should be in mid-pack moving late when it counts most.  Longshot - () Speightstown ()

Betting Strategy: I will play Number Kela to win. I will key Number Kela and Number Our New Recruit with Number Kela, Number Our New Recruit, Number Chapali, Number Speitstown and Number Clock Stopper in exotics. I will close the early Pick Four with Number Kela and Number Our New Recruit.,

Breeders Cup Juvenile is 1 1/16 miles

Proud Accolade () is a racehorse and was really impressive in the Chapagne for Pletcher. The east coast runners are classier than the west right now. With Declan's Moon out of this race, I really like Proud Accolade and Nick Zito's Sun King (), who should be flying from off the pace against this group. Keep a look throughout the winter for how this horse is doing. He could be a real threat in the classics next year. Roman Ruler () wins, but the figures are declining with added distance each time he runs. He has a devastating move around one turn, but I'm not convinced he will carry the day against his east coast counterparts. Longshot - () Consolidator ()

Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf is 1 1/4 miles on the turf

() Ouija Board () would best be served opting for this race over the turf. This filly has been very impressive in Europe winning the English and Irish Oaks. Nebraska Tornado () is trained by Andre Fabre, who comes over every year with runners ready to fire in the Breeders Cup turf events. Megahertz () would be no surprise to me. Frankel has always handled her carefully and may have her ready to explode, despite a 5-month layoff. Do not take lightly. Longshot - () Katdogawn ()

Breeders Cup Turf is 1 1/2 Miles on the turf

Kitten's Joy () is a runner I have bet against many times this year. I have lost my ass betting against this 3-year-old. He will likely be the shortest price on the card when the gates open. Trainer Dale Romans has done everything right with this guy. Star Over The Bay () has become a turf star on the west coast. He used to be a claimer and Mitchell is hoping against hope that he can win his first Breeders Cup race. Mustanfar () loves marathon distances and may have been mismanaged a bit this year. He is a threat at a big price and may be worth a bet today, even though he has faced much weaker. Longshot - () Magistretti ()

Breeders Cup Classic is 1 1/4 Miles

Pleasantly Perfect () will be trying to win this race at a foreign track off a layoff, but has been the most impressive Handicap horse by far this year. This guy won the race for Richard Mandella last year from off the pace, but has shown more dimension running closer to the pace this year to win in Dubai and Del Mar. Perfect Drift () is a runner I embrace almost every year, but doesn't like to win these days. If Murray Johnson has him ready, he could be very dangerous. He always fires and needs to find some heart. Birdstone () won the Belmont and Jockey Cup this spring and summer and should not be ignored. Three-year-olds have fared very well in this race many times. Longshot - () Roses In May ()