Breeders' Cup Big Bet Battle Royale picks for Spinaway

One of the exciting contest & promotions at TwinSpires.com, the $15,000 Breeders’ Cup Big Bet Battle Royale is offering Players the opportunity to win a VIP Trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland and a $10,000 Win bet on the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

In order to qualify for the Battle Royale’s final round on October 3-4, TwinSpires Players need to cash a winning $15 wager on three of the designated Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races during one of the first two qualifying rounds (August 1-31 and September 1-30). Please see the contest rules for further details.

The Editorial team at brisnet.com is getting involved in the fun, providing selections for the remaining contest races. Here are their thoughts on Saturday’s Spinaway S. (G1).

Kellie Reilly: Trying to be a little too clever has been the bane of my existence (especially of late), but I press on, incorrigible. As logical as Rachel's Valentina is, I can't get over the big impression that TAP TO IT (#1) created in her debut. The Ralph Nicks filly would have had a proper bunch of excuses had she lost that day -- off a step slow, tapped on the brakes behind horses, shuffled back even from that unpromising position, resented kickback on the far turn. But once in the clear in the stretch, that good-looking gray leveled off and won going away, as much the best, by two lengths. Tap To It has since fired a bullet half-mile in :47.66, best of 41 on August 29 on the main track. And she's got pedigree too. A $400,000 Keeneland September yearling, she's by Tapit and out of Leave Me Alone, who scored her signature win in the 2005 Test (G1) over this track and seven-furlong trip. $15 to win #1.

Jennifer Caldwell: Rachel’s Valentina is the talk of Saturday’s Spinaway S. (G1) at Saratoga and that’s to be expected as a daughter of Rachel Alexandra. However, as great as she was, the 2009 Horse of the Year lost on occasion and the Spinaway could be the spot for Rachel’s Valentina to taste defeat. I’m willing to take a shot against the talented filly with TONASAH (#3), a slightly more experienced runner who has already faced stakes company. A stablemate of Rachel’s Valentina from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher, Tonasah romped in her debut on July 2 at Belmont Park, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths, and returned last out in the Adirondack S. (G2). She was overtaken late after an exciting stretch battle, finishing a close second after leading early in the 6 1/2-furlong contest, and the Malibu Moon filly earned a 94 BRIS Speed rating, which is only surpassed in this field by the 95 garnered by Banree for her runner-up effort in the Schuylerville S. (G3). Tonasah does rank first in BRIS Prime Power (137.8) and will have blinkers taken off (25% success rate for Pletcher). $15 to win on #3.

James Scully: The Spinaway came up with a short but dynamite field of six. TAP TO IT (#1) overcame a ridiculous trip in her debut, rallying dramatically to score by a two-length margin, and the Tapit filly is eligible to improve significantly upon the experience. The gray shows a half-mile bullet work in the 20-day interim and Joel Rosario will be looking to avoid the trouble that plagued her most of the way last time. The presence of Rachel’s Valentina, who figures to only get better at longer distances, adds to Tap To It’s appeal from a wagering perspective and I loved her powerful finish last time. $15 to win #1.

Ed DeRosa: I hate picking against Rachel Alexandra’s filly in this spot, but given that Rachel’s Valentina will be overbet in the win pool and the purpose of the Battle Royale is to bet a horse to win, I had to seek an alternative, and TONASAH (#3) is the obvious choice given her BRIS Speed, Pace, and Class Rating edge not only over her stablemate but also the rest of the field. $15 to win #3.