Hi all,
A fantastic weekend of racing gets underway today. The 2023 Breeders’ Cup meeting gets under way at Santa Anita this evening. It’s ‘Future Stars Friday’ which means it’s the juveniles who take centre stage. You can watch all five Championship races live on ITV3 this evening.
Inside today’s main piece I’m previewing one race at the Breeders Cup. Plus, I have looked at the best of the action at Newmarket which can race.
Sadly, Wetherby doesn’t race. There was plenty of rain around the area on Thursday and it failed a 7am inspection. It should be a mainly dry on Friday so there’s a chance that Charlie Hall Day will take place.
The Listed Irish EBF Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes (1.25) and the Group 3 Betfred St Simon Stakes which was due to have been run at Newbury last Saturday are the feature races of a nine race card at Newmarket which gets underway at 11:15. Yes, it’s not an error, it really is 11:15. It’s not often you see a flat meeting with such an early start.
Breeders Cup
The juveniles take centre stage and two of the three of the turf races are likely to go to the European challengers. Indeed, there’s a decent chance it could be a clean sweep for the shippers as the American’s say.
Santa Anita
11:40 – Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) – 1m
Aidan O’Brien has won this three times since 2015 including last year. He saddles the first and second in the ante post betting River Tiber & Unquestionable. River Tiber won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and was a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 9 to Vandeek in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last time. Looked in need of further than 6f that day and should stay a mile around here. Has the best form and can win what doesn’t look the strongest of renewals of the race.
Unquestionable was back to form when a length 2nd of 10 to Rosallion in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp. Looked suited by the step up to 7f last time and should stay a mile.
Agate Road came from the rearto win a strongly run Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes at Aqueduct 30 last month. We probably haven’t seen the best of the colt yet and looks capable of bigger performance but there doesn’t look to be a lot of early pace which would be a worry.
The lack of pacesetters in the line-up means it might be worth considering My Boy Prince. The Canadian trained colt has won his last two starts at Woodbine and looks the sole front runner in the field. And for that alone he can get into the frame.
Newmarket
Like everywhere there’s been plenty of rain at Newmarket and the going was being described as heavy on Thursday afternoon. It’s rare to see heavy in the going description at Newmarket which shows just how wet its been.
The switch of the Group 3 Betfred St Simon Stakes (1:25) from last Saturday’s abandoned Newbury fixture adds more depth today’s card.
The likeable Hamish is 3-3 in 2023 and gets his favoured underfoot conditions. It’s his first start at the track but he should be fine, and you can see why he’s a short-priced favourite.
Max Vega seemed to outbattle Hamish in the closing stages when winning last year’s renewal at Newbury. He does seem to go well at Newbury but won at this track as a juvenile.
Hamish has 5lb in hand of his nearest market rival Al Qareem. The latter has returned from a 6 month layoff in the form of his life winning Listed race at Chester and a Group 3 at Ascot. He should a tremendous attitude to rally when headed last time. He looks the sole pace angle, and it will take a good one to go past him.
Fifteen juvenile fillies have been declared for the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes (1.25).
Plenty have claims and plenty are capable of better than they have shown. Add in the fact that you don’t know which fillies may have gone in their coat and you can see why it’s race that might be worth leaving alone. However, the top two in the early bird betting do make plenty of appeal.
Charlie Appleby has the likely favourite in Romantic Style who progressed from her racecourse debut to win a Yarmouth novice 44 days ago. She looked a nice prospect last time and if she handles the soft ground, is the most likely winner.
We know Stop The Cavalry handles rain softened ground after racecourse debut success at Haydock 35 days ago. She’s open to plenty of improvement and would be the selection.
Friday Selection:
As Wetherby is off. You will have to wait until 11:40 to see Friday’s selection in action. River Tiber can take a weak looking renewal of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. His stablemate Unquestionable looks his biggest rival. But Ryan Moore stays loyal, and he’s got a better draw in stall 2.
11:40 – River Tiber – 2/1 – Gen.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John