Horak: How I'm betting Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup
Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) attracted a small but select field, with four of the five entrants multiple graded stakes winners set to go 1 1/4 miles at Belmont Park. The major plot line is the 3-year-olds taking on older rivals for the first time. The 3-year-old division has been without a leader all year, and the handicap division has not fared much better.
Before deciding how to bet Belmont’s 10th race on the card, let’s meet the field in order of preference. And in forming your own opinion, check out free past performances.
#1 Tacitus (5-2) added blinkers and showed improved positional speed in the Aug. 25 Travers (G1). Jockey Jose Ortiz could go straight to the lead from the inside post, and he might not look back if Tacitus shakes loose early. Trainer Bill Mott has won this race three times.
#2 Code of Honor (8-5) took advantage of a pace battle between Tacitus and Mucho Gusto in his Travers victory last time. He has been a top 3-year-old since hitting the wire third in the Kentucky Derby, and he showed his affinity for this oval with a sharp score in the Dwyer (G3) back on July 6. Trainer Shug McGaughey has saddled the winner of this race three times (twice with 3-year-olds).
#4 Preservationist (9-5) won three straight earlier this year, including the Suburban (G2) at this course/distance on July 6. He dueled and weakened in Saratoga's Aug. 3 Whitney (G1) and rebounded four weeks later in the Woodward (G1). He should be forwardly placed, but I prefer the improving sophomores in this spot.
#3 Vino Rosso (7-2) removes blinkers and figures to stalk the pace. The fresh 4-year-old colt won the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) at this distance May 27. His regular pilot, John Velazquez, chose Code of Honor, and Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the call for Todd Pletcher.
#5 Olympic Village (30-1) was claimed out of his last for $75,000 by Ron Paolucci and Bob Hess Jr. He gets thrown to the wolves and seems completely outclassed.
Summary: I am taking the view that the sophomores have more upside. Tacitus has been unlucky this summer, and he'll offer some value here as something other than the favorite. Code of Honor looks like the “now” horse, and he might be in the right spot if Tacitus and Preservationist get into a protracted battle.
Wagers:
#1 to win
Exacta box 1-2