Players have one month to get their thoughts together. This is the first Breeders’ Cup since 1984, which the big dance will be run on artificial surface.

The Australian company who created the Pro-Ride surface has made a composite of granulated sands, a unique cushioning agent, and a patented polymeric binding agent. It is created to reduce kickback, and allows for a 2-phase cushioning effect. Ian Pearse from Pro-Ride arrived in mid-July, and completely removed the old track. He added a new base, and the surface was applied soon after.

So, how do we get a handle on the new synthetic wave? You may want to take a look at: “Betting Synthetic Surfaces: Conquering Racing’s Newest Frontier,” the book is written by Bill Finley from the Daily Racing Form Press. It’s available at www.drf.com, and is major bookstores.

The Blood-Horse magazine put out a book in 2007, but Finley’s book takes the issue to the next level. He is able to debunk the turf runner myth taking to the surface, and that dirt horses fare much better to the new surface than the turf players.

With one month to go I would suggest: educate yourself with up to date books; watch all of the Santa Anita races you can take; and keep WinningPonies.com as your guiding tool. With all of these three elements, you have a much greater edge than the player who walks up the day of the event and empties their pockets.

On Saturday, September 27, 2008, history was made. We have a new leader at the top of the money heap. The way we gauge our game is by how well you get paid. I think we’ll be talking about Curlin for years to come.

In the G-1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational, the stage was set to propel Curlin to the top of the pantheon. His career earnings are $10,246,800, compared to Cigar with $9,999,815. Jess Jackson, of Stonestreet Stable, has committed to running in the $5 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic.

He was running on a sticky sloppy surface that didn’t favor any of the favorites for the most part all day. When you run for these kind of bucks, you can bet they will be gunning for you. It is no secret what your plans are, and what you are trying to accomplish. But today, it was more than just money. History was on the table.

Curlin settled out, and was ridden to a perfect ride by Robby Albarado. He finished up down the lane a little wide and went on to score by a 1 1/4 length victory. He had to work for it, make no bones up about it. Wanderin Boy and Alan Garcia were not going to go away quietly. Garcia is riding as good as anyone in the nation. He has New York’s number, and is beginning to write his own ticket.

With Curlin’s record at: 15 starts - 11 wins, 2 places, and 2 show finishes,  if my math serves me correct, he is perfect in the money. Not a bad career, and it is not over yet.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has done very well with this son of Smart Strike. He could see he looked comfortable down the backstretch and knew he had the right hand in the saddle. About the last seventy yards, there was a chill that ran down my arm. To see a champion etch his name with the best of the best, is a moment that brings to light why we watch horse racing. Congratulations, champ… Savor the moment… Thank you for creating memories for all of the fans. There was never a time like now where we needed a true champion.

Televised on ESPN News today we will possibly see history being made. It will happen at 6:02 p.m EST, and the books of history may be opened again. This time to etch Curlin’s name into the pages.

According to WinningPonies.com Curlin has some positive signs. He is making a start off a 28 day race in the Woodward. He won by over a length and was carried out down the lane. This time he looked pressed, and dug in and found another gear. what a big time prep…..

He has the “should improve” banner on his data, and if he does he may take flight down the lane today. He has been working the very deep Oklahoma training track, and this puts a finishing touch on all runners. The tiring surface allows them to add gas to the tank.

You would be hard pressed to squabble with his record of 14 starts - 10 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. He has won over an off surface, and yesterday Belmont called off racing due to the rains. For the main course,  look for an improving surface all day long. That is, if Mother Nature complies. But no excuses here. This guy looks to be the goods. He draws the rail to save ground, and has the services of a very solid rider in Robbie Albarado.

The top tier selections say that Stones River 20-1 and Merchant Marine 12-1 should be in the mix. I like the selections, but I think today is meant for Curlin. Don’t forget that there is a $500,000 guaranteed Pick-4, and with Curlin, you may be able to make that a Pick-3. Be sure to follow WinningPonies to the windows, with all of the other selections, to make a sweet Pick-4.  My only advice is to use the data and press the repeat button as many times as possible.

The NTRA has announced that it will bring you the Jockey Gold Cup on ESPN News this Saturday. It will be race #10, and Curlin will attempt to etch his name in the history books by edging Cigar as the leading money winner in racing.

Cigar retired in 1996, and earned $9,999,815 lifetime. Curlin has $9.796,800 to his credit. The purse is $450,000, and he would roll by Cigar, and into the books, if he can get the job done.

The race is for 3-year-olds going 1 1/4, and is a “Win and You’re In” qualifying race. So, not only does he go into the history books, he will get his dance card stamped for Santa Anita.  But don’t make any reservations yet, as he needs to take one race at a time.

There is a $500,000 guaranteed all stakes Pick-4, and one of the best cards assembled for this historic day.

In a year when so many factors are facing racing, it could use a new poster child. We thought Big Brown was going to blow away the fog, but that was not to be.  If there ever was a time, it is now. With medication issues, Eight Belles’ death in the Derby, declining handles nationally, a fading fan base, and a game that is need of a face lift, Curlin could bring racing back into focus as we head into the Breeders’ Cup.  Hopefully we can bring racing back in the minds of the fans.  So much rides on this race.  Not only for the connections of Curlin, but for the sport of racing.

This is a GREAT Saturday, and one that may play a big piece of the handicapping puzzle. There are eleven G-1 races between Belmont and Santa Anita. Not only will you see some of the warm action for Breeders’ Cup Day, but these races have historically played a prep for the big dance.

Starting at Belmont, you have: The Beldame; The Flower Bowl; The Vosburgh; Joe Hirsch Classic; and last but not least, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where history will possibly be made. The Jockey Club Gold Cup has Curlin in the field and he may pass the great Cigar as the all time money winner.

Here are some runners worth the price of admission:  In the Beldame Stakes, there is a 5-year-old mare by the name of Ginger Punch, who may be prepping to do battle. She draws the rail, has Bejarano in the saddle, and is trained by Bobby Frankel. Now that may be enough most weeks, but as we draw closer to B/C Day, you need an ” A” game to get your ticket stamped. You will want to pass on runners bound for California that do not finish first or second in these top preps. She is 5/5 in the money at Belmont, and cuts back in distance to 1 1/8th. She should be double tough, and you will have to extend with exotics to find value. This is where WinningPonies.com comes into play for the big stakes.  They will be dialed in on how to maximize a chalk runner into a Pick-3, Pick-4, and single race exotics.

Ladies and gents, you may want to peel your eyes open, as history will be made.  In the 10th race, which is the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Curlin will be the overwhelming chalk, and he should be. You will have to kick that Pick-4 into a Pick-3 by singling him, and punch that repeat button as many times as you can. Remember this race and day; history will be made. He’ll win on this day, but will have his work cut out on Breeders’ Cup Day, when all of the best arrive (especially Henry the Navigator from overseas).

At Santa Anita we will see some real runners as well. In the Clement L. Hirsch, you have a runner that should set them on their ear. A son of Chester House, who goes by the name of Spring House, is bred up and down to love the weeds. He is 2/2 at Santa Anita, and is 21/31 times ITM on the grass.  Making his third start off layoff should point him in the right direction. Take a look at the run in the Eddie Read where he ran an even fourth, then came flying in the Del Mar Handicap to go to the winner’s circle. I love the breeding, the timing, and the way he has matured.

Another race worth the battle is the Goodwood Stakes. Spirit One, who won the Arlington Million after shipping in from France, is a hard knocking colt who looks to enjoy the scenery of the United States. A top notch trainer/rider combo cutting back in distance should be the magic potion.

This is a strong day. A day where you will not want to be without WinningPonies.com.  So, have your materials and know that this is a day when you can dive in deep in the exotics. There will be a couple of days that allow you to blow off the doors before Breeders’ Cup, and this is one of them.