This weekend, the Breeders' Cup provides a very welcome distraction from the Presidential election campaign. 25 years ago, the Breeders Cup started with one championship day of seven races worth a total of $10 million. Now, the Breeders' Cup spans two days, consists of 14 races with purses totaling $25.5 million.

This year, the filly & mare races will be run on Friday, with nine "open" races on Saturday. I'll make some quick picks for Friday here and follow up with another post for the Saturday stakes.

Filly & Mare Sprint
The distaff version of the sprint is 7 furlongs (one more than the BC Sprint itself). With horses like Lady Sprinter, Indyanne & Dream Rush, this race looks to have a hot pace scenario that'll set it up for a closer like Intangaroo, who not only comes from the clouds, but has also won over Santa Anita's synthetic Pro Ride surface.

Juvenile Fillies Turf
In middle distance turf races (this one is 1 1/16 mile) I basically look at only one thing - who can close. In this field, Consequence, C Karma and Maram have all shown the ability to run a quick final eighth. I'm going to go with Consequence as she had a great workout at Santa Anita last weekend while C Karma apparently hasn't been as impressive.

Juvenile Fillies
Stardom Bound is the big favorite here and while it's always fun to beat the favorite, I think her most interesting opponents, C.S. Silk & the Smarty Jones filly Be Smart, are doomed to speed duel each other to death. So, I'll take the chalk and Stardom Bound for the win.

Filly & Mare Turf
The pace pressing gray, Wait A While, is back on the top of her game and she's never been beaten over the Santa Anita turf. This is a tough field, but this is her year.

Ladies Classic
Ugh, what a stupid name, they should have kept it as the "Breeders Cup Distaff". Anyway, this looks to be a coronation as the undefeated Zenyatta towers over her competition. I expect her to cruise to another come from behind victory at very, very low odds.