Can Breeders' Cup Favorite Knicks Go Beat Essential Quality?

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As always, the Breeders’ Cup weekend is going to be amazing for bettors and fans of horse racing.

This 2021 meet could be even more special for everyone, for many reasons. It is back in Southern California at Del Mar, which should mean fantastic weather on the weekend of November 5 and 6. This year’s event also comes after a rough 16 months for tracks and fans, who had to struggle with limited attendance for so long.

In short, this should be a two-day celebration of the sport of kings.

It is also setting up to be an event with the biggest gross window take in the history of the sport. Coming off a six-week Saratoga meet that crushed records left, right, and center, this Breeders’ Cup should be one that shatters the record book.

The Classic is going to be a $6 million race, and is very much looking like it will determine the Horse of the Year, which most people think is between Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit and Belmont champion Essential Quality (though no mention of Rombauer, who was the third Triple Crown winning horse).

But right now, two months away from the race, there is another name on top of the potential odds: Whitney Stakes winner Knicks Go. The speed horse has caught the attention of some bettors and handicappers, although New Jersey expert Joe Wisniewski (who goes by Joe Wiz on his website and gambling radio show on ESPN New York 98.7) thinks it is going to be tough for Knicks Go to wire this field.

“Knicks Go is a speed horse, and is going to look to wire the field,” Wisniewski said. “I think at the distance of the Breeders’ Cup, a speed horse might have a problem wiring the field. Essential Quality has proven that he can come off the pace, as he did at Belmont. When Hot Rod Charlie set blistering fractions, Essential Quality was able to come back and fly by Hot Rod Charlie.

“Knicks Go is strictly a front-running horse. I think in that race, I still think Essential Quality is going to be the favorite.”

Wisniewski also thinks there could be some record takes at the Breeders’ Cup, as Americans get back out to the track.

“Horse racing has been gigantic,” Wisniewski said. “They have set all kinds of records this summer, all over the country. Del Mar set a record when they had the Pacific Classic a few weeks ago. Saratoga broke all sorts of records over the six-week meet. It is reported that the total sum of all horse race bets placed will exceed the previous records.

“With the conducive weather in California, where the Breeders’ Cup will be, I think we are going to see an enormous amount of betting action. It would not shock me if it breaks all sorts of records as well, especially if Medina Spirit is going to be able to run in his own back yard.”

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