Joe Hirsch Turf Classic 2017 Picks

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Preview

The winner of the Joe Hirsch will earn an automatic entry in to the Breeders' Cup Turf on November 4 at Del Mar Race course, and the event has drawn an international field of 11, with five of those in single-digit odds. Getting pre-race favorite status at 3-1 in the morning line odds is Oscar Performance, a three-year-old Kentucky bred for trainer Brian Lynch.

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner, he got off to a rough start in 2017, finishing up the track in his first two starts. He's been on a roll since then, however, taking his last three straight, including the (G1) Secretariat and the (G1) Belmont Derby Invitational. A speedy front-runner being asked to stretch out an extra half-mile, the key for him will be how well he can control the pace.

Beach Patrol Could Challenge Out of the Gate

Another that can be expected to show good early speed in the race is Beach Patrol (5-1), who has been in top three in eight of 11 lifetime graded-stakes races, with two wins. Last out he stalked just of the pace of the (G1) Arlington Million and then took over with determination in the stretch to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.

In race that could go a couple different ways, Ascend (12-1) offers some good value as a late runner who should benefit from the 1 1/2 miles of the Joe Hirsch coming from further back if the front-runners falter late. Although his last two efforts have been disappointing, he beat a world-class field two back in the (G1) Manhatten Stakes and a return to that level could put him in the money here. 

A half-brother to Oscar Performance, Sadler's Joy (4-1) has been in the money in all six of his starts this year, and last out overcame a very poor break from the gate to make a last-to-first move in the last quarter-mile in the 1 1/4 mile (G1) Sword Dancer Stakes. He should relish the distance here and would benefit greatly from an early speed duel between Oscar Performance and Beach Patrol.

A bit of a wild card in it all is Irish-bred The Grey Gatsby (8-1) who has been taking on some of the best in Europe but has very little to show for it. He'll get lasix anti-bleeding medication for his North American debut. 

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is the final event on Belmont's Saturday 10-race card, and is one of four graded-stakes races on the day. Post time is expected for 5:45 PM Eastern. It follows the (G1) Vosburgh Stakes, which is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. You can bet all the Belmont races through the Today's Tracks links at one of our recommended racebooks.  

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Entries

1. Money Multiplier (7-2)
2. Converge (50-1) 
3. Oscar Performance (3-1)
4. Sadler's Joy (4-1)
5. Beach Patrol (5-1) 
6. Ascend (12-1)
7. Channel Maker (20-1)
8. Mekhtaal (15-1) 
9. Fanciful Angel (10-1) 
10. The Grey Gatsby (8-1)
11. Tricked Up (50-1)

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Picks

• #4 - Sadler's Joy
• #5 - Beach Patrol
• #6 - Ascend
• #3 - Oscar Performance
  

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : Breeders Cup , Horse Racing

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