Perhaps there was no more stunning result on Breeders' Cup day than the one that is pictured here. Calm down, Zenyatta fans, after all, Blame WAS the second choice in the wagering in the Classic. However, Dakota Phone's triumph in the Dirt Mile at odds of 37-1 was an epic upset. He was obviously ignored by the betting public and ran down one of the top contenders in Morning Line to win an incredibly close victory. He went last-to-first to do and triggered outlandish exotic payouts like an $816 exacta, a $6,634 trifecta, and a $36,883 superfecta (by the way, that last one translates to $3,688 for the 10-center).
Dakota Phone will return to the racetrack for the first time since that shocking victory on Saturday afternoon at Hollywood Park in the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap. This race will be a little different for Dakota Phone than the Breeders' Cup score was. First of all, the Native Diver will be run at 1 1/8 miles. Secondly, he will be the high weight in the field carrying 123 pounds, which is six pounds heavier than the next closest weight (117 pounds for Soul Candy). Finally, the pace of the Dirt Mile was incredibly fast, going a quarter in 22.53 and a half-mile in 44.94. It is highly doubtful that Dakota Phone will have such a maniacal pace to close into in the Native Diver, which could hamper his chances.
It is also worth noting that Dakota Phone has not won back-to-back races since November 2008. So, there will be a lot going against the Dirt Mile winner on Saturday, but then again, how often does a 37-1 shot in the Breeders' Cup not have a lot going against him? He's overcome a seemingly impossible set of circumstances before and done it, why can't he do it on Saturday?
Tune in again tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
1 comment:
Someone needs to wake up here. The euro handicapper would not allow this horse to carry less than 9 stones (126) to run in this race. US officialdom needs to raise its racing weights and this would be welcomed by many jockeys who struggle to make weights in the US. This race is an handicap, in my estimation its given weight to carry in the UK would be 9-4(130). This consequently shows why the majority of young european animals have a better chance of winning races in the USA when shipped. Not only is the horse used to the weight it must carry it also as a better fed jockey in the saddle.
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