Local handicappers to offer free Breeders’ Cup tips

One advantage to betting horses and sports in Las Vegas is there is no shortage of solid handicapping advice. I’m not talking about touts but, rather, handicappers who put forth an honest effort in offering an educated opinion.

With the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 4 and 5, you can hear the offerings of various horse handicappers at six free seminars at resorts throughout the city.

On Thursday, Richie Saber of Gaming Today, Ralph Siraco of “Race Day Las Vegas” and Vic Viveo will be at the Palace Station race book at 6 p.m. At the Riviera race book at 6 p.m. Thursday will be Dan Shapiro of Lucky’s and Dave Tuley of viewfromvegas.com.

On Nov. 4, the first day of the Breeders’ Cup, Siraco and I will conduct a seminar at 12:30 p.m. at the Gold Coast race book. We’ll offer our opinions on Breeders’ Cup races for the two-day card.

Also Nov. 4, John Kelly of eog.com, Patrick McGuiggan of cashiersline.com and noted Southern California clocker Toby Turrell will be at the South Point race book at 6 p.m. At Texas Station at 6:15, Jerry Jacovitz of Jerry J’s Power Page will appear.

Then on Nov. 5 at 10:15 a.m., Siraco and Jon Lindo of the Lindo Report will be at The Orleans’ Mardi Gras Ballroom.

For those planning to attend the Breeders’ Cup in Las Vegas, free ballroom parties will be at South Point and The Orleans.

The Daily Racing Form Breeders’ Cup advance edition is available in all Las Vegas race books. I suggest you pick one up to begin your handicapping of the horses and fields for all 15 races.

■ HARBAUGH’S HORSE SENSE — San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh knows a thing or two about horse racing. He recently told the Detroit News that the switch from college football to the NFL was “like going from the Wood Memorial to the Kentucky Derby. Why would you go to the Kentucky Derby — because it’s the toughest, highest and most challenging level.”

■ RECORD TIED — Rapid Redux held off Rich Hero to win his 19th straight race Thursday at Laurel Park. Rapid Redux is unbeaten in 17 starts in 2011, with his first two wins coming in 2010. The 19 consecutive wins tie the North American record held by Zenyatta and Peppers Pride.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.