Hi all,
Normally on a Wednesday I would be looking at Saturday’s big race action in Britain. But this week I’m going to indulge myself and look at the Breeders Cup which gets underway on Friday. If you don’t like racing’s ‘greatest show on earth’ turn away now.
Looking Ahead To The Weekend – Part 1
There’s a veritable feast of top class racing this weekend. It all gets underway on Friday with the start of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita with the juveniles taking centre stage. You can watch five races live from the Breeders Cup on Friday evening on ITV3.
On Saturday it’s the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase (3.00) at Wetherby. Eight entries were left in the race on Monday final confirmation stage. They include last year’s winner Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor.
There’s also a strong Ascot card on Saturday featuring two Premier Handicaps with £56,950 on offer to the winner.
At Down Royal the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.35) and Gold Cup second favourite Gerri Colombe is set to make his seasonal reappearance.
The big race keeps going throughout the day. The second day of the Breeders Cup get’s underway and I think we can safely call it a fantastic evening of International flat racing.
It’s wall to wall racing on Saturday with ITV Racing covering 10 races live, five from Wetherby and five from Ascot. But it doesn’t end there. You can also watch all nine Championship races from the Breeders’ Cup in the evening.
If that wasn’t enough for you there are more big races on Sunday. At Carlisle it’s the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase (2.30) and over at Cork it’s the Cork Grand National.
Breeders Cup Preview
I love the Breeders’ Cup and its a meeting I like to get stuck into and will be doing so again this year.
Royal Ascot, York’s Ebor Festival & Arc Weekend are fantastic meetings and I love all three. However, for me nothing beats the Breeders’ Cup as an international sporting spectacle.
I first fell in love with the meeting when Pebbles ridden by favourite jockey Pat Eddery won the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Aqueduct in 1985. My memory might be playing tricks, but I think Channel 4 broadcast the race live. Seeing an international horse race live was rare thing in those days and something to get really excited about.
The Breeders Cup is back at Santa Anita this year with the imposing backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains making it one of the most picturesque tracks in the world.
It’s a personal thing but I much prefer the Breeders Cup when it’s held in California. You have the likelihood of rattling fast turf and of course the weather is so much nicer at this time of year than further north & east.
Santa Anita Dirt Track
It’s left handed, oval track, one mile in circumference. It often pays to keep up with speed on the dirt track. Looking at the draw, low numbers are favoured in all races but more so over the shorter distance races. Horses starting from a double figure draw don’t find it easy in the races featuring two turns.
Santa Anita Turf Track
The turf tack lies inside the dirt track and is just over 7f in circumference which means its slightly sharper than the dirt track. That means the draw can be even more important. Once again, the inside is the place to be with low to middle draws favoured. A double figure stall is even more difficult to overcome than on the dirt track. That said I’m not going to get to hung up about the draw.
Both the first & turf tracks have a very short run in which wouldn’t necessarily favour the likes of King Of Steel who need time to hit top gear.
Don’t Underestimate the Japanese Challenge
Japanese horses really left their mark at the Breeders’ Cup with double at Del Mar two years ago courtesy of Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine, both trained by Yoshito Yahagi. Last year the Japanese didn’t figure at Keeneland. However, back on the west coast is a more appealing proposition for the Japanese challengers.
It looks like the Japanese have a good hand at this year’s Breeders’ Cup and I think they’ll have a winner or two. Here are my thoughts on a few of the Japanese challengers.
Breeders’ Cup Mile – Songline
Songline is a multiple Grade 1 winner over a mile and has beaten the colts and geldings in her homeland. Well suited to quick ground she returned from a 126 day layoff with a fast finishing nose 2nd of 12 at Tokyo last month. Likely to go off favourite Songline faces some tough rivals from Europe and North America but has strong claims. Stall 10 isn’t ideal but one of her main rivals Master Of The Seas is drawn even wider in stall 14.
Breeders’ Cup Classic – Ushba Tesoro & Derma Sotogake
There’s likely to be two Japanese contenders in the Classic Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake. The first named has won all but one of his starts on dirt including coming from behind to win the Dubai World Cup at Meydan. His only defeat on the surface coming on a wet track makes his US debut.
Derma Sotogake made all to win the UAE Derby at Meydan in March and was seemingly outclassed when only 6th of 18 in the Kentucky Derby. First run since May.
Ushba Tesoro looks the stronger of the pair and seems to have impressed work watchers at the track in recent days. He looks to have a good chance in an opening looking race.
Breeders’ Cup Turf – Shahryar
Shahryar won last year’s Sheema Classic at Meydan and was a ¾ length 2nd of 18 in the Japan Cup. He’s not been at his best on two starts this year finishing an 8 length 5th of 10 Equinox on this year’s Sheema Classic and poorly when last seen in action in August. Has a decent draw in stall 1 and if be bounced back to last year’s best would have each way claims.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Jasper Krone
Jasper Krone has looked a much improved sprinter this year winning three of his five starts. Likely to face plenty of pressure for the lead with the likes of Live In The Dream in the line-up and has been drawn out wide in stall 11. Each way claims at best given his draw.
Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares – Win Marilyn
Win Marilyn was in good form last year and came from the rear to win the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase. The 6-year-old hasn’t been close to her best form on three starts this year but doesn’t have much to find on ratings if bouncing back to form on Saturday.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Ecoro Neo
Ecoro Neo has just had the two starts. The colt improved on his racecourse debut when a ½ length 2nd of 12at Hanshin in September. He was second last turning into the straight that day but finished his race off strongly to finish second. The time was nothing special, but it was a visually impressive performance. That race was over 6f and he should relish the step up to a mile on Friday. Interesting that connections throw him in the deep end here, but he’s got an American dirt pedigree and whilst he would be a shocker he could run into the places at big odds.
Verdict:
Songline and Ushba Tesoro are the best hopes for the Japanese. I was strong on the former until I saw her draw in 10 but then again stall 9 triumphed here in 2019. I’m warming to Ushba Tesoro and think he can beat the home team in the Classic. Shahryar has solid place claims in the Breeders Cup Turf if back to last year’s best. He’s a ‘hit and miss’ performer but on a going day is useful. Likely longshot Ecoro Neo could get into the money or could be tailed off in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Friday.
I’m going to end with a shameless plug for my Victor Value Service. There are so many good races during November and will be previewing all of them. Even better you’ll be able to get access to them all. It’s going to be a fun ride so if you haven’t done so already hope on board for just ONE month. Watch out for details over the next couple of days.
In tomorrow’s column I will be looking at the best of Saturday’s action this side of the Atlantic.
Wednesday Preview
Wednesday’s Nottingham card has been abandoned due to waterlogging. That took away two races I had looked at leaving just the one.
Kempton
6:45 – Spangled Mac is a now a non-runner which hopefully eases the path for Willem Twee. The 4-year-old had a good 2022 winning twice and was subsequently disqualified after winning over C&D last August. Returned from an 11 month layoff and must have needed the run when last off 11 at Ascot in September. There must be a slight concern over his well being after that run. However, he’s on a mark he can win off if bouncing back to form.
Willem Twee – 4/1 @ Coral.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John