USA / Matt Carothers / 09 October 2010 /

Gio Ponti and Sidney's Candy take to the track this weekend and the results of their races could have big implications on the antepost Breeders' Cup markets

As great as last weekend's stakes were, most notably Zenyatta making it 19 for 19 in the TVG Lady's Secret in front of more than 25,000 fans at Hollywood Park, this weekend's stakes are better.

The difference between the two weekends being that this time we have Keeneland and last time we did not. Races that not only have Breeders' Cup ramifications, but are great betting races as well is what Keeneland is all about. From a name recognition standpoint, Gio Ponti and his career earnings of more than $4.3m is the biggest name of the bunch.

Last year's runner up in the Classic to the aforementioned Zenyatta is shortening up his game and is competing in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile presented by Vinery.

A good performance here would probably propel him into a start in the TVG Turf Mile, where he would have to deal with the great Goldikova, who is looking to win the race for a third consecutive year.

My money will be on the fresh and dangerous Courageous Cat. He ran a great second at 22-1 to Goldikova in the Turf Mile last year, and sports a tactical edge over Gio Ponti.

There are two price horses that I like Saturday at Keeneland as well. Hooh Why, a Grade 1 winner at Keeneland, should get an ideal trip on the cut-back in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club Of America and is a "salty" 8-1 on the morning line. And in the Grade 1 Abu Dhabi First Lady Fantasia at 12-1 morning line will finally get some pace to run at,
which in turn should finally allow her the opportunity to display that strong late closing kick that she possesses.

There are three big Breeders' Cup preps in New York this weekend as well. The weird thing about these races is that the horse with the most hype is a horse that has only one career start. Uncle Moe will be a heavy odds on favourite to win the Grade 1 Champagne as he should. In his lone start he completely dismantled his opposition to win a maiden race at Saratoga by nearly 15 lengths in a scorching
1:09:1.

In earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 102 he became one of just two two-year-olds to earn a triple digit Beyer this year. In a Champagne that, to me, did not come up very difficult, I would expect another easy win. An electric win, which very possibly would make him the post time favourite for the BC Juvenile at Churchill next month.

The Grade 1 Ancient Title should be a very interesting BC Sprint prep, in which defending Sprint champion Dancing in Silks looks to regain his from. But all eyes will be on Sidney's Candy as he takes on older horses for the first time in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile.

His turf debut at Del Mar back in August was the "wow" performance of the meeting. He
dueled through ridiculous fractions early and still had the ability to open up late and win the Grade 2 La Jolla in a course record 1:39:2. The Oak Tree Mile looks to offer the talented son of Candy Ride a legitimate test. Not only will he be facing older horses, he is going to have to contend with some other very quick and accomplished horses such as Tropic Storm.

I like Victor's Cry who won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile over this turf course back in May.
But a win from Sidney's Candy would probably make him the second choice in the TVG Breeders' Cup Turf Mile behind the champion Goldikova.

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