Bob Neumeier

Looking for a few horses who can light up the Tote board on the eight-race Breeders' Cup card Saturday at Churchill Downs? Here are five live long shots for your consideration:

Juvenile Fillies
Cotton Blossom, 10-1 morning line, post seven

Grizzled syndicate owner Cot Campbell of the Dogwood Stable is hoping the dynamic duo of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez can continue their brilliant 2006 season into the Breeders’ Cup. In what appears to be a random, crap-shoot event, Cotton Blossom figures to get a good, stalking trip from a middle post position. She drew a poor 11 post on Keeneland’s kooky Polytrack surface in her most recent start, a decent fourth in the Alcibiades Stakes. She futilely chased runaway winner Appealing Zophie in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, but should benefit from the two turns and added distance on Saturday. Obvious high-profile connections may devalue the price at post time, but anything in double digits makes her an appealing betting proposition.

Mile
Miesque’s Approval, 10-1 morning line, post 10

One year and one day ago, this 7-year-old finished a horrible sixth as the favorite in a modest 50k claiming race at Aqueduct. Underrated trainer Marty Wolfson took over the reigns after that debacle, and the Florida-bred has won four of his last seven starts, though not against the likes of those he’ll face on Saturday. Kentucky bettors made him a 2.90-1 shot in the recent Shadwell Mile, but a wide trip cost him any chance that day. Jockey Eddie Castro must not get carried wide into the parking lot on the first turn from the 10 post. If he’s in contention, five or six lengths back at the half-mile post, his late kick could get it done. I believe the closing odds will be even higher than the 10-1 morning line.

Turf
T.H. Approval, 15-1 morning line, post two

This is a race where the hype machine will drive up the value on this consistent distance turf specialist. Hurricane Run will take plenty of action based on his marvelous European form, but he’s raced twice in top Grade 1 Euro action since Oct. 1 and may well be spent by Saturday. Trainer Bobby Frankel will also attract lots of gambling interest in hard-knocking Cacique. But he could not beat The Tin Man in the Arlington Million, while T.H. Approval also lost to the Million winner, but only by a head in the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Oak Tree. Cacique is 4-1 on the line, T.H. Approval 15-1. With four wins in his last six, you can bet English Channel will also be well backed at the windows as well, all to the benefit of the 5-year-old gray.

Distaff
Pool Land, 10-1 morning line, Post nine

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Once again we have the Pletcher-Velazquez combo on a two-digit long shot. But a bet on Pool Land is not simply a stab at the powerful jockey-trainer combo. This 4-year-old filly by Silver Deputy has the lovely mix of both speed and stamina. Her recent win in the Grade 1 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont illustrates her strengths: Put up fast fractions and catch me if you can. This Distaff has a solid field -- Pine Island, Fleet Indian, Balletto and Round Pond to name a few -- so Pool Land will have to be at her best. Look for her on or near the lead.

Classic
Invasor, 5-1 morning line, Post 11

No one can debate that even-money favorite Bernardini has toyed with his opposition this season. No one can debate that he has never faced the likes of Invasor, Lava Man, Premium Tap, Sun King and Lawyer Ron, not to mention sneaky Euros George Washington and David Junior. Should Bernardini find the opposition too much for his liking, then Invasor is ready to pounce. All he has done is win 8 of 9 career starts, including Grade 1 wins in the Pimlico Special, the Suburban, and the Whitney in 2006. The main knock on Invasor is “recency,” a lack of competitive events since Saratoga in early August. But doubters are saying trainer Kiaran McLaughlin can’t get them ready off a layoff.

That’s fools’ thinking, which will drive up the price on Invasor.

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