How to Make Money Betting the Juvenile

Gambling

Greenpointcrusader, above winning the Champagne Stakes, figures to be a strong contender for the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

While the Breeders’ Cup Classic will mark the end of the racing career for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile will mark the beginning of Triple Crown dreams for the connections of these 2-year-olds.

A full field of 14 juveniles is set to go the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and half of the runners enter this race fresh off a victory. That group includes Conquest Big E, Riker, Greenpointcrusader, Cocked and Loaded, Brody's Cause, Isotherm and Nyquist. Both Riker and Nyquist bring an undefeated record into the Juvenile with four wins a piece.

My pick is #3 Greenpointcrusader, who has two wins in three career starts, including a win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. I like the way he has improved with each race and the way he was moving in his most recent win. The distance should be no problem for him and his off-the-pace style of running should fit well in a race like this.

Now that I have my pick I need some supporting picks to fill out my key trifecta play. I will use five other horses:

#1 Conquest Big E is only a maiden winner but he’s shown talent in both of his starts. His debut was a great effort despite some of the trouble he had, especially given that he was going a mile in his first start. He’s got the right pedigree to keep improving.

#9 Exaggerator got a good feel for the track when finishing second here at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity on a muddy track. He made a good move to get the lead but had to settle for the runner-up spot. I think he will be much better on a dry track, and he had a very good workout leading up to this race.

Photo by Chelsea Durand/NYRA

#10 Ralis didn’t look like himself when putting in a disappointing effort in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park when finishing sixth in a field of eight as the betting favorite. I’m willing to ignore that effort given it was his first time racing on a sloppy surface. If he can repeat his effort from the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, I think he will be in the mix.

#12 Swipe would be coming into this race with a four-race win streak if it wasn’t for Nyquist. He’s finished second behind that runner in his previous three starts. His closing style can be a big factor if there is strong pace early on.

#13 Nyquist hasn’t lost in four career starts and has moved forward as the distances have gotten longer. He’s got enough speed to grab the lead early or stay within striking range throughout … tough not to like him.

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

My Bets:

$10 win on #3 Greenpointcrusader = $10

50-cent trifecta: 3 with 1,9,10,12,13 with 1,9,10,12,13 = $10

50-cent trifecta: 1,9,10,12,13 with 3 with 1,9,10,12,13 = $10

50-cent trifecta: 1,9,10,12,13 with 1,9,10,12,13 with 3 = $10

Total Bets: $40

$2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Oct. 31, Keeneland Race Course, Race 9, 4:10 p.m. ET
1 1/16 miles, dirt, colts and geldings, 2-year-olds
TV: NBC/TVG

PP

Horse

Trainer

Jockey

Owner

Odds

1

Conquest Big E

Mark Casse

Shaun Bridgmohan

Conquest Stables, LLC (Ernie Semersky & Dory Newel)

30-1

2

Riker

Nicholas Gonzalez

Jesse Campbell

Tucci Stables

15-1

3

Greenpointcrusader

Dominick Schettino

Joe Bravo

St. Elias Stables, Brooklyn Boyz Stables & MEB Stables

4-1

4

Unbridled Outlaw

Dale Romans

Mike Smith

Albaugh Family Stables

15-1

5

Cocked and Loaded

Larry Rivelli

Jose Ortiz

Richard Ravin & Patricia's Hope, LLC (Vince Foglia)

12-1

6

Rated R Superstar

Ken McPeek

Calvin Borel

Radar Racing

15-1

7

Brody's Cause

Dale Romans

Corey Lanerie

Albaugh Family Stables

7-2

8

Tale of S'avall

Barclay Tagg

Cornelio Velasquez

Charles E. Fipke

30-1

9

Exaggerator

Keith Desormeaux

Kent Desormeaux

Big Chief Racing

6-1

10

Ralis

Doug O'Neill

Javier Castellano

Reddam Racing

12-1

11

Isotherm

George Weaver

Jose Lezcano

Matthew Schera

20-1

12

Swipe

Keith Desormeaux

Victor Espinoza

Big Chief Racing

15-1

13

Nyquist

Doug O'Neill

Mario Gutierrez

Reddam Racing

9-2

14

Waterloo Bridge (IRE)

Aidan O'Brien

Ryan Moore

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor

30-1

AE-15

Siding Spring

Mark Casse

Gabriel Saez

Gabe Grossberg

NA

AE-16

Tom's Ready

Dallas Stewart

John Velazquez

GMB Racing, LLC

NA

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