The star names may be missing but Saturday night at the Breeders’ Cup is always special and drama is virtually guaranteed.
The first realistic European interest is in the Filly & Mare Turf where Sir Michael Stoute’s Dank bids to win the race for the second successive year. She was in irresistible form this time last season but has only managed two moderate outings this term and she makes little appeal at odds of around 9-4. If anyone can get her back to her best it will be Stoute but I prefer to look elsewhere for value. The one that could spring a surprise is the front-running Dayatthespa who could get a soft lead with so many hold-up horses in the field.
Another horse that could go wire-to-wire is Reneesgotzip in the Turf Sprint. The mare was only just beaten by Mizdirection last year in this race and was third behind the same rival in 2012. Her build-up suggests that trainer Peter Miller has only had one race on his mind for the daughter of City Zip.
It’s a bold move by Aidan O’Brien to send over The Great War for the Juvenile Dirt but Todd Pletcher saddles two highly promising colts in Daredevil and Carpe Diem. There aren’t really any form lines to tie the two up so Carpe Diem’s proven ability to handle the surface gives him the nod.
Telescope looks to have everything in his favour in the Turf as he should relish the quicker surface. It has taken some smart animals to lower his colours this season, notably Noble Mission and Taghrooda. Flintshire looks the man threat to Telescope on form after his fine run in the Arc but I am not convinced that he wants it quite as quick as this. The O’Brien team must be disappointed that Magician didn’t make the line-up this year due to injury and I’m siding with his conqueror Hardest Core to upset the Europeans.
Toronado falls into a similar category as Telescope in that he should find things in his favour and has much the best form in the race. He has had a light campaign so should not fail through fitness but his odds are not tempting and I’m going to have a little on The Aga Khan’s Veda. She looked like winning last time but may just have blown up in the closing stages and could have been primed for this race. She was second in the French 1000 Guineas in the spring and is entitled to go well.
The Classic features the winners of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont and yet neither California Chrome nor Tonalist start favourite. That honour goes to Shared Belief who is unbeaten and comfortably beat UK hope Toast Of New York previously. I liked the way Tonalist travelled last time and he makes more appeal at 6-1 in what should be a thrilling finale.
Dayatthespa (Filly & Mare Turf) @9-1 Paddy Power
Reneesgotzip (Turf Sprint) @11-2 Coral
Carpe Diem (Juvenile Dirt) @7-2 Coral
Hardest Core (Turf) @11-1 BetVictor
Veda (Mile) @10-1 Bet365
Tonalist (Classic) @6-1 Coral
