We’re back with another edition of Ask Breeders’ Cup 360. Today, the question of Lasix for international starters and where to find value (or a lock).

Both Goldikova and Conduit are identified as first-time Lasix in the Breeders’ Cup past performances, but both won in 2008 without. Why the change?

Freddie Head (Goldikova) replies: “Because they all run on the Lasix. I want to give her all the best, I want her to race on even terms with the others. If [Lasix] doesn’t do any good, it won’t do her any harm. I felt she was a little tense when she ran at Longchamp and Lasix sometimes relaxes them, we want her more relaxed. That is why we are using it. Last year was different.” [Head clarified that he had not noticed a change in Goldikova's temperament since last year, but that — in thinking about the 2008 Mile afterward — he had wondered if she had been at a disadvantage going to post without Lasix. "She won, but still ..."]

Unfortunately, we missed talking with Sir Michael Stoute (Conduit) this morning, but will ask the same question of him later this week if given a chance.

Worth noting is that trainer Aidan O’Brien is taking a different stance. While in previous years his Breeders’ Cup starters have run on Lasix, the trainer said this year that only Man of Iron would be given the medication, telling assembled reporters that, “Our attitude was, when in Rome do what the Romans do. Some of our horses won on Lasix, and we went along with it, but just because horses won on it doesn’t mean it was necessarily a good policy.”

Now that the fields have been drawn, what races offer the best value? Any best bets?

For this question, we hit up a few of the many, many analysts, pundits, and handicappers to be found hanging around Clockers’ Corner these mornings …

John McCririck (racing pundit) replies: “I’m a Goldikova person. Americans have the word ‘awesome.’ Well, Goldikova — apart from her win last year, when we saw how good she was — was absolutely awesome during the summer. Fantastic in Group 1s, dominating the boys. The last race was seven furlongs, badly drawn, went too fast, so throw that out. I think she has an outstanding chance. In the Marathon, one of our best bets is Mastery. He won the St. Leger, he’s a class performer, he’ll love the ground. I think he’ll be an absolute banker for the Europeans and get us off to a fine start with Frankie Dettori in the irons.”

Eric Wing (NTRA media relations and avid horseplayer) replies: “The Breeders’ Cup juvenile is a wide open race. The big field, the horse most people like — Lookin at Lucky — I didn’t think he laid over the field to begin with and he also drew a very bad post position, which takes an already contentious race and really makes it even more wide open. The Classic has everything — an intriguing pace scenario, a big international field. Those would the two races that, if you pick the winner, you will be rewarded generously.”

Ed Fountaine (New York Post turf writer) replies: “Gayego’s not going to be a long price, but he might be the best bet. Then you have to like the Europeans — in fact, I think the best bet to make would be to take four Europeans in the Mile and box them in the superfecta.”

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