The Sam's Town horse handicapping crew is playing it close to the vest this Breeders' Cup.
Gordon Jones, Patrick McQuiggan and Tony Vega believe they can bring home a winning Pick 6 or Classic superfecta for folks who participate in their betting pools.
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Thus, they're uncharacteristically keeping many picks cloaked and saving them for customers who turn out for horse racing's biggest single day next Saturday.
The eight-race card will be contested at Kentucky's Churchill Downs.
The trio won't run down the eight-race BC card on radio as it usually does and won't pass out plays in the daily newspaper.
"We're not going to give away much of the store," Jones, former turf columnist for the defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, said.
"We're being careful this year."
Like in poker, though, Jones is willing to show part of his hand, such as in the million Classic, America's richest annual race.
Most folks figure Preakness and Travers Stakes winner Bernardini is the cream of the crop as he steps up to face older horses for the first time.
Bernardini, who is owned by Dubai's ruling family, is expected to go to the post as a huge favorite.
Backing him up is Discreet Cat, also owned by the Dubai royals, who will go if, for one reason or another, Bernardini doesn't.
Jones agrees with the public on this one, but cautions a couple European invaders "who could measure up" are flying in.
"Bernardini's very strong," Jones observed while citing the 2000 Classic, when Tiznow nipped Giant's Causeway, as a prime example of what Europeans can do.
"He's a push-button horse and he's on exact par (117/118 Beyer rating) with past Classic winners.
"He's already shown he's the best of the American horses.
"Lava Man, the pride of the West, is five to six lengths inferior.
"The other American horses have no chance, rain or shine ... the Brother Dereks and Lawyer Rons.
"It's a laugh some of them, like (2005 Kentucky Derby champ) Giacomo, are even in there."
Jones believes the 1 3/8ths mile Filly & Mare Turf, which is normally dismissed by the public as a bunch of nags who couldn't qualify for the Distaff, could offer the best cast top to bottom.
"I've looked over the list and it's a decent group," he said, clicking off the names of Ouija Board, Wait A While and Gorella.
"They look a cut above the others."
Henny Hughes (2/1) has been highly touted in the Sprint and Jones has no problem with that.
He cautions, however, that others are capable of winning.
"Henny Hughes was good as a 3-year-old," Jones said.
"Dubai Escapade has a higher rating, though, and Bordanaro's another one to watch."
Four Irish-breds are due at the post for the Turf and Jones mentions only 5/2 favorite Hurricane Run while conceding the race to "the Europeans."
Fleet Indian at 2/1 was his lone mention in the Distaff; ditto 4/1 Aragorn in the Mile.
The Juvenile, regarded as a preview of future Run for the Roses hopefuls, and Juvenile Fillies lead off the BC card, but aren't in the Pick 6.
Jones is still studying the boys -- "I don't know if this year's class is as good as the one we had last year" -- but likes 3/1 pick Dreaming of Anna among the 2-year-old females.
Overall, Jones rates this year's Breeders' Cup as one of the best in the event's history, which dates back to 1984.
"There are some good races to handicap and it should be a nice weekend, if the weather cooperates," he said.
"Churchill's main course recovers fast after a storm, but the turf course becomes soft and yielding."
Jones is pleased the event is returning to bluegrass country and says racing would be wise to follow pro football's lead and schedule the Breeders' Cup where favorable autumn conditions can be expected and hotels can accomodate a large influx of guests.
"Five Breeders' Cups have been held at Churchill Downs and four of the biggest crowds have been at Churchill," he said.
"The other largest crowds have been at Santa Anita, Hollywood and Belmont.
"The TV world thinks it's smart to go to different tracks, but Lone Star (Texas) was the limit.
"They even took it up to Toronto (Woodbine).
"The one thing I remember about the year it was at Arlington is seeing people huddled in the stands, trying to protect themselves from the rain.
"Fans are lucky they haven't run the Breeders' Cup in Nome, Alaska.
"Championships should be run under championship conditions.
"Horse racing has done a dumb job of staging a glamorous affair."
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Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at [http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm]
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