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BREEDERS CUP 2018, DAY-2

By Anil Mukhi | 01 Nov 2018 |


Anil Mukhi

One needs the stamina of Brown Jack – six consecutive times a winner of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot over 2-3/4 miles – to be able to navigate Saturday’s twelve race programme at Churchill Downs! The action tees off at 10:45 in the morning and carries on to 6:22 p.m., and it’s like two racedays for the price of one.
Nine of the twelve are Breeders Cup events, commencing with the third race.


Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. 7 fur., 3YO+F&M, Dirt     Prize $1,000,000.                      12:00 noon

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
Odds

1

Selcourt

Tyler Baze

124

4 F

John W. Sadler

4/1

2

Miss Sunset

Kent J. Desormeaux

124

4 F

Jeff Bonde

15/1

3

Happy Like A Fool

Luis Saez

122

3 F

Wesley A. Ward

20/1

4

Kirby's Penny

John R. Velazquez

124

5 M

Wesley A. Ward

30/1

5

Golden Mischief

Florent Geroux

124

4 F

Brad H. Cox

10/1

6

Chalon

Javier Castellano

124

4 F

Arnaud Delacour

15/1

7

Skye Diamonds

Tiago Josue Pereira

124

5 M

William Spawr

10/1

8

Mia Mischief

Ricardo Santana, Jr.

122

3 F

Steven M. Asmussen

15/1

9

Stormy Embrace

Tyler Gaffalione

124

4 F

Kathleen O'Connell

20/1

10

Highway Star

Jose L. Ortiz

124

5 M

Rodrigo A. Ubillo

20/1

11

Finley'sluckycharm

Brian J. Hernandez

124

5 M

W. Bret Calhoun

10/1

12

Anonymity

Flavien Prat

124

4 F

Richard E. Mandella

15/1

13

Marley's Freedom

Mike E. Smith

124

4 F

Bob Baffert

8/5

14

Shamrock Rose

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

122

3 F

Mark E. Casse

20/1

R15

Dream Pauline

Joel Rosario

122

3 F

Kiaran P. McLaughlin

30/1

Added to the Breeders Cup programme in 2007, this race is usually run at a very fast pace and with the big field of 14 (with one reserve) there is the possibility that some runners may not find a clear passage. The Baffert-trained favourite Marley’s Freedom (by Blame) deserves her ranking at the head of the wagering – she has won the last four of her six starts this year – but is at too short a price. However, if the track favours speed, it’s possible that Finley'sluckycharm (by Twirling Candy) will make the running and hang on. Selcourt (by Tiz Wonderful) has the wonderfully consistent career record of 6-4-1-1 but hasn’t raced since March, nor outside Santa Anita, so there are question marks about her.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.  5-1/2 fur., 3YO+, Turf.         Prize $1,000,000.                                     12:38 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
Odds

1

Ruby Notion

Florent Geroux

123

5 M

Darrin Miller

20/1

2

Bucchero

Fernando De La Cruz

126

6 H

Tim Glyshaw

10/1

3

Hembree

Tyler Gaffalione

126

4 C

Michael J. Maker

20/1

4

Vision Perfect

Javier Castellano

126

6 H

Jason Servis

15/1

5

Disco Partner

Joel Rosario

126

6 H

Christophe Clement

7/2

6

Rainbow Heir

Jose L. Ortiz

126

8 H

Jason Servis

12/1

7

Lost Treasure

Ryan L. Moore

124

3 C

Aidan P. O'Brien

20/1

8

Chanteline

Ricardo Santana, Jr.

123

6 M

Steven M. Asmussen

15/1

9

Stormy Liberal

Drayden Van Dyke

126

6 G

Peter Miller

4/1

10

Havana Grey

P.J. McDonald

124

3 C

Karl Burke

20/1

11

World of Trouble

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

124

3 C

Jason Servis

6/1

12

Richard's Boy

Paco Lopez

126

6 G

Peter Miller

12/1

13

Will Call

Shaun Bridgmohan

126

4 C

Brad H. Cox

20/1

14

Conquest Tsunami

Flavien Prat

126

6 G

Peter Miller

6/1

15

Insta Erma

Joel Rosario

123

5 M

Richard Baltas

30/1

California-based trainer Peter Miller is entitled to feel that he has this sprint all sewn up as he sends out last year’s winner Stormy Liberal (by Stormy Atlantic) for a shot at a repeat victory. This gutsy six-year-old doesn’t know how to lose in a photo-finish, with the 2017 winning margin having been a head, to add to which he has won his last three by a head, a nose and a nose! Twice at the receiving end of the damage inflicted by the gelding is Richard’s Boy (by Idiot Proof) – who is also trained by Miller. One cannot rule out Disco Partner (by Disco Rico), Bucchero, or World Of Trouble (both by Kantharos), while the Europeans include the British-trained Havana Grey (by Havana Gold), already a Gr.1 sprint winner in Ireland, and the less accomplished Ballydoyle hope, Lost Treasure (by War Front).

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. 8 fur., 3YO+, Dirt.     Prize $1,000,000.                                                     1:16 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
 Odds

1

City of Light

Javier Castellano

126

4 C

Michael W. McCarthy

5/2

2

Trigger Warning

Ricardo Santana, Jr.

123

3 C

Mike L. Rone

20/1

3

Isotherm

Geovanni Franco

126

5 H

Philip D'Amato

20/1

4

Seven Trumpets

Robby Albarado

123

3 C

Dale L. Romans

15/1

5

Awesome Slew

Corey J. Lanerie

126

5 H

Mark E. Casse

15/1

6

Seeking the Soul

Brian J. Hernandez

126

5 H

Dallas Stewart

5/1

7

Firenze Fire

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

123

3 C

Jason Servis

6/1

8

Bravazo

Luis Contreras

123

3 C

D. Wayne Lukas

20/1

9

Giant Expectations

Julien R. Leparoux

126

5 H

Peter Eurton

15/1

10

Catalina Cruiser

Drayden Van Dyke

126

4 C

John W. Sadler

8/5

There is no reason why Catalina Cruiser (by Union Rags), 4-from-4 lifetime in California, won’t adapt to the Churchill Downs dirt, which consists of soil of a different composition to that encountered out West. Yet one cannot make him a “banker” at a short price and both City Of Light (by Quality Road) and Firenze Fire (by Poseidon’s Warrior) have strong claims, particularly the former. Both he and Giant Expectations (by Frost Giant) have the distinction of having downed the top-class Accelerate but the “Giant” hasn’t reached those lofty heights this term. The winningest trainer in Breeders Cup history, D. Wayne Lukas, still spry at 83 as he schools his wards at the track from atop his pony, saddles Calumet’s Bravazo (by Awesome Again), runner-up in the Preakness Stakes won by Justify but out of form since.

Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. 11 fur., 3YO+F&M, Turf. Prize $2,000,000.      2:04 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
 Odds

1

Fourstar Crook

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

124

6 M

Chad C. Brown

5/1

2

Thais

Manuel Franco

124

4 F

Chad C. Brown

20/1

3

Wild Illusion

William T. Buick

120

3 F

Charles Appleby

7/2

4

Paved

Joel Rosario

120

3 F

Michael W. McCarthy

20/1

5

Princess Yaiza

Andrea Atzeni

120

3 F

Gavin Cromwell

30/1

6

Sistercharlie

John R. Velazquez

124

4 F

Chad C. Brown

3/1

7

Smart Choice

Flavien Prat

124

5 M

Todd A. Pletcher

30/1

8

Fuhriously Kissed

Tyler Gaffalione

124

5 M

Anthony T. Quartarolo

30/1

9

A Raving Beauty

Javier Castellano

124

5 M

Chad C. Brown

10/1

10

Magic Wand

Ryan L. Moore

120

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

5/1

11

Mom's On Strike

Adam Beschizza

124

5 M

Joe Sharp

20/1

12

Santa Monica

Jose L. Ortiz

124

5 M

Chad C. Brown

15/1

13

Athena

Wayne Lordan

120

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

15/1

14

Eziyra

Frankie Dettori

124

4 F

Dermot K. Weld

15/1

Upped in trip from 9 furlongs to 11 furlongs, the Filly & Mare Turf on grass has drawn an intriguing field. Clearly Chad Brown wants to ensure that the trophy ends up on his mantelpiece – he sends out no less than five runners here! All are to be steered by leading riders and will be running on merit. Fourstar Crook (by Freud) and Sistercharlie (by Myboycharlie) have been trading punches all season while running most consistently. They have not had to travel across the Atlantic, which should theoretically give them an edge, but on pure form, the progressive British-trained Wild Illusion (by Dubawi) should have their measure. Magic Wand (by Galileo) was only a length behind the latter when last seen and can step up – Aidan O’Brien has often been able to wring out the required improvement. Finally, one cannot discount the Aga Khan’s Eziyra (by Teofilo) as Dermot Weld rarely travels without a chance; what’s more he has pulled off a coup by signing up Frankie Dettori – and the filly has won on soft.

TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint. 6 fur., 3YO+, Dirt. Prize $2,000,000.                                         2:46 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
Odds

1

Whitmore

Ricardo Santana, Jr.

126

5 G

Ron Moquett

6/1

2

Promises Fulfilled

Luis Saez

124

3 C

Dale L. Romans

6/1

3

B Squared

Mario Gutierrez

126

4 C

Doug F. O'Neill

20/1

4

Warrior's Club

Luis Contreras

126

4 C

D. Wayne Lukas

15/1

5

Imperial Hint

Javier Castellano

126

5 H

Luis Carvajal, Jr.

9/5

6

Always Sunshine

Frankie Pennington

126

6 H

Edward T. Allard

20/1

7

Distinctive B

Drayden Van Dyke

126

7 G

Peter Miller

12/1

8

Limousine Liberal

Jose L. Ortiz

126

6 G

Ben Colebrook

6/1

9

Roy H

Paco Lopez

126

6 G

Peter Miller

5/2

From a compact field of nine, five have the required credentials and one really stands out. That is last year’s runner-up, Imperial Hint (by Imperialism), who has taken monstrous strides since, with 4 wins from 5 starts this year. In the course of his journey, he has accounted for both Whitmore (by Pleasantly Perfect) and Limousine Liberal (by Successful Appeal), two of the other prominent runners. Last year’s hero Roy H (by More Than Ready), another from the Peter Miller barn, bids to repeat and is in good form. Finally, there is the young upstart, with a 2 lbs. weight advantage, namely the front-running Promises Fulfilled (by Shackleford), whose last victorious effort over Whitmore showed he had graduated to the big time.

Breeders' Cup Mile.  8 fur., 3YO+, Turf. Prize $2,000,000.                                                              3:36 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
 Odds

1

One Master

James Doyle

123

4 F

William J. Haggas

12/1

2

Next Shares

Tyler Gaffalione

126

5 G

Richard Baltas

10/1

3

Happily

Wayne Lordan

120

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

15/1

4

Polydream

Maxime H. Guyon

120

3 F

Freddie Head

5/1

5

Oscar Performance

Jose L. Ortiz

126

4 C

Brian A. Lynch

6/1

6

Almanaar

Joel Rosario

126

6 G

Chad C. Brown

12/1

7

Expert Eye

Frankie Dettori

123

3 C

Sir Michael R. Stoute

8/1

8

I Can Fly

Jamie P. Spencer

120

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

10/1

9

Hunt

Flavien Prat

126

6 G

Philip D'Amato

30/1

10

Catapult

Drayden Van Dyke

126

5 H

John W. Sadler

6/1

11

Lightning Spear

Oisin Murphy

126

7 H

David Simcock

20/1

12

Analyze It

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

123

3 C

Chad C. Brown

6/1

13

Gustav Klimt

Ryan L. Moore

123

3 C

Aidan P. O'Brien

10/1

14

Mustashry

William T. Buick

126

5 G

Sir Michael R. Stoute

15/1

15

Divisidero

Jevian Toledo

126

6 H

Kelly Rubley

30/1

16

Clemmie

Andrea Atzeni

120

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

30/1

A full field, along with two reserves, has been declared for this popular event, with the Europeans slightly shading the Americans 8 to 6 in numbers. Winner picking looks extremely difficult as none really stands out. Polydream (by Oasis Dream) will probably start as the pari-mutuel favourite but on closer scrutiny her form does not quite stand up. Expert Eye (by Acclamation), who has been knocking at the door of Gr.1 success, may not appreciate the cut in the ground. Of the Coolmore runners, I Can Fly (by Fastnet Rock) came within a neck of downing Roaring Lion recently and a repeat would see her go close. Perhaps it’s significant that Ryan Moore has chosen Gustav Klimt (by Galileo), winless since April, instead? With Analyze It’s regular rider Jose Ortiz committed to Oscar Performance (by Kitten’s Joy), who is the best of the locals, Chad Brown has elected to summon Irad Ortiz on the son of Point Of Entry.

Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. 9 fur., 3YOF&M, Dirt. Prize $2,000,000.                                     4:16 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
 Odds

1

Champagne Problems

Calvin H. Borel

124

4 F

Ian R. Wilkes

12/1

2

Abel Tasman

Mike E. Smith

124

4 F

Bob Baffert

7/2

3

La Force

Drayden Van Dyke

124

4 F

Patrick Gallagher

20/1

4

Mopotism

Mario Gutierrez

124

4 F

Doug F. O'Neill

30/1

5

Wonder Gadot

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

121

3 F

Mark E. Casse

15/1

6

Verve's Tale

Brian J. Hernandez

124

5 M

Barclay Tagg

30/1

7

Midnight Bisou

John R. Velazquez

121

3 F

Steven M. Asmussen

6/1

8

Vale Dori

Joseph Talamo

124

6 M

Bob Baffert

12/1

9

Wow Cat

Jose L. Ortiz

124

4 F

Chad C. Brown

8/1

10

Blue Prize

Joe Bravo

124

5 M

Ignacio Correas, IV

6/1

11

Monomoy Girl

Florent Geroux

121

3 F

Brad H. Cox

2/1

An excellent bunch of fillies and mares has been assembled for this competitive race, with favourites scoring at a high 41%. Abel Tasman (by Quality Road), who has the formidable record of 8 wins from 15 starts and earnings approaching $3,000,000, is aiming for redemption after her narrow defeat last year. However, she has come up against a younger rival who will probably prove too good, namely Kentucky Oaks victress Monomoy Girl (by Tapizar). If there is anything approaching a banker at this year’s Breeders Cup, it is this wonderfully consistent chestnut who cost a mere $100,000 as a yearling and has now finished first in 9 of her 10 starts (though disqualified once) and earned $1,854,750.

That said, a trio of South American racemares will not go down without a fight; these are Blue Prize (by Pure Prize), coming off a hat-trick, the temperamental Vale Dori (by Asiatic Boy), whose win in the Gr.1 Zenyatta Stakes has set her up nicely, and finally Wow Cat (by Lookin At Lucky), unbeaten in her native Chile, and emerging from a facile win in the Gr.1 Beldame Stakes.

Longines Breeders' Cup Turf12 fur. 3YO+, Turf. Prize $4,000,000.                                            4:56 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
 Odds

1

Talismanic

Mickael Barzalona

126

5 H

Andre Fabre

12/1

2

Enable

Frankie Dettori

123

4 F

John H. M. Gosden

1/1

3

Channel Maker

Jose L. Ortiz

126

4 G

William I. Mott

12/1

4

Robert Bruce

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

126

4 C

Chad C. Brown

10/1

5

Magical

Ryan L. Moore

119

3 F

Aidan P. O'Brien

10/1

6

Arklow

Florent Geroux

126

4 C

Brad H. Cox

30/1

7

Glorious Empire

Julien R. Leparoux

126

7 G

James L. Lawrence

12/1

8

Liam the Charmer

Tyler Gaffalione

126

5 G

Michael W. McCarthy

30/1

9

Quarteto de Cordas

Brian J. Hernandez

126

4 C

Ian R. Wilkes

30/1

10

Hi Happy

Luis Saez

126

6 H

Todd A. Pletcher

20/1

11

Sadler's Joy

Javier Castellano

126

5 H

Thomas Albertrani

30/1

12

Waldgeist

Pierre-Charles Boudot

126

4 C

Andre Fabre

9/2

13

Hunting Horn

Wayne Lordan

122

3 C

Aidan P. O'Brien

30/1

The race that most of the world, particularly those outside North America, is waiting for is this mile and a half contest where Juddmonte’s Enable (by Nathaniel) will be attempting to become the first winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to follow up the same year in the Breeders Cup Turf. On sheer class, there is no race, even though Evens is a pretty short price considering that such formidable “Arc” winners as Dancing Brave, Dylan Thomas and Golden Horn bit the dust in the “Turf”. She has won on soft, although it is not ideal. Waldgeist (by Galileo), followed by Magical (also by Galileo) and last year’s winner Talismanic (by Medaglia D’Oro) shape as the chief European dangers, while the Ortiz brothers guide the two best chances for the Americans to keep the prize at home – Irad on the Chilean-bred Robert Bruce (by Fast Company) and Jose on Channel Maker (by English Channel).

 Breeders' Cup Classic.  10 fur., 3YO+, Dirt. Prize $6,000,000.                                                       5:44 p.m.

No.

Name

Jockey

Wgt

Age/
Sex

Trainer

Expected
Odds

1

Thunder Snow

Christophe Soumillon

126

4 C

Saeed bin Suroor

12/1

2

Roaring Lion

Oisin Murphy

122

3 C

John H. M. Gosden

20/1

3

Catholic Boy

Javier Castellano

122

3 R

Jonathan Thomas

8/1

4

Gunnevera

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

126

4 C

Antonio Sano

20/1

5

Lone Sailor

James Graham

122

3 C

Thomas M. Amoss

30/1

6

McKinzie

Mike E. Smith

122

3 C

Bob Baffert

6/1

7

West Coast

John R. Velazquez

126

4 C

Bob Baffert

5/1

8

Pavel

Mario Gutierrez

126

4 C

Doug F. O'Neill

20/1

9

Mendelssohn

Ryan L. Moore

122

3 C

Aidan P. O'Brien

12/1

10

Yoshida

Jose L. Ortiz

126

4 C

William I. Mott

10/1

11

Mind Your Biscuits

Tyler Gaffalione

126

5 H

Chad Summers

6/1

12

Axelrod

Joe Bravo

122

3 C

Michael W. McCarthy

30/1

13

Discreet Lover

Manuel Franco

126

5 H

Uriah St. Lewis

20/1

14

Accelerate

Joel Rosario

126

5 H

John W. Sadler

5/2

15

Collected

Joseph Talamo

126

5 H

Bob Baffert

30/1

16

Toast of New York

Julien R. Leparoux

126

7 G

Jamie Osborne

20/1

That brings us to the grand finale and the race that appeals most to racing fans in North America, the Breeders Cup Classic. Accelerate has been a model of consistency all year and no doubt his trainer is hoping that the son of Lookin At Lucky will help him break his duck at the Breeders Cup, if he hasn’t already done so with Catalina Cruiser earlier in the afternoon. About the only negatives are that Accelerate lost at his only start outside California and that he was not impressive last time out.

Catholic Boy (by More Than Ready), winner of the Travers Stakes, and Baffert’s pair West Coast (by Flatter) and Mckinzie (by Street Sense) form the core of the US-trained opposition, along with the versatile Mind Your Biscuits (by Posse), who would have been one of the favourites had he run in the Sprint or the Dirt Mile. The Japanese-bred Yoshida (by Heart’s Cry), a grandson of Sunday Silence, provides some intrigue as he tries to become the first from his native land to oblige at this meeting.

Adding considerable interest to the proceedings are Godolphin’s Thunder Snow (by Helmet), who is proven on dirt having won this year’s Dubai World Cup, Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion (by Kitten’s Joy), making a bold bid to transfer his superlative grass form to the dirt, and Coolmore’s Mendelssohn (by Scat Daddy), aiming to live up to the hype that has surrounded him from the moment he fetched $3,000,000 as a yearling. Roaring Lion won’t be risked if the going is sloppy.