Video: New York Breeders' Cup preps with Maggie Wolfendale

Although races have been rained off the turf the past few days in New York, the weather should be clear for upcoming weekend races. This includes Saturday's Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Sunday's Futurity, a Breeders' Cup "win and you're in" for the Juvenile Turf Sprint. 

Those are the races covered by handicapper Sara Elbadwi and New York Racing Association paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale. In the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, No. 2 War Like Goddess (7-5 morning line) faces males for the first time in her career. She is a perfect 4-for-4 at this 1 1/2 miles distance and gets a jockey change, following a questionable ride last time out.

The Futurity features another filly taking on the boys in No. 8 Determined Jester (6-1 ML). She broke her maiden in a stakes race at Colonial Downs at 35-1 in her last start and both Elbadwi and Wolfendale agree that she is a player in this spot. 

They also discuss the importance of a horse's behavior and physicality in the paddock prior to a race, especially with younger horses. Wolfendale offers some early thoughts on this year's Breeders' Cup Classic as well. 

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