Friday 3rd November 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my Breeders Cup Preview which is set to take place at Santa Anita this year. I’ll be previewing both days of action on Friday and Saturday, so, as ever, if you are punting on my selections, make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
9.00: Juvenile Turf Sprint: My first punt of the day comes in the 9:00 which is the Juvenile Turf Sprint over a distance of five furlongs. I’m siding with Crimson Advocate here who’s currently a 9/2 chance for George Weaver and John Velazquez. She’s been off the track since her win in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, where she got the better of the very smart Relief Rally, who has since franked that form in mighty style. She’s got form on a fast surface, and this has clearly been her long-term target. Crimson Advocate – 9/2 (Win)
9.40: Juvenile Fillies: Next up it’s more Grade 1 action in the Juvenile Fillies race on the dirt, and in this year’s renewal of the race I find it hard to get away from Tamara who currently heads the betting for Richard Mandela and Mike Smith. She’s won both of her two outings on the track so far, with her most recent success coming in the Grade 1 Debutante Stakes at Del Mar, where she bolted up by just shy of seven lengths. It’s likely she’s got more progression to come, and if that’s the case she could well prove “Big Money” Mike with another Breeders Cup success. Tamara – 5/4 (Win)
10.20: Juvenile Fillies Turf: It’s more fillies action at 10.20 but this time on the grass with the Juvenile Fillies Turf taking the stage. I’m siding with a European challenger here and that’s Porta Fortuna who’s currently trading at a best price of 11/2 for Donnacha O’Brien and Oisin Murphy. She’s had a fine campaign and was last seen when taking the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, she’s also a Royal Ascot winner having won the Albany Stakes earlier in the year which came on Good to Firm ground, which should stand her in good stead for this. Porta Fortuna – 11/2 (Each-Way)
11.00: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: The Breeders Cup Juvenile is up next over a mile and a half and I’ve sided with Timberlake in this particular affair for Brad Cox and Florent Geroux. He’s had three starts to date and has progressed in each of them, culminating in Grade 1 success on his most recent effort in the Champagne Stakes last month. He was mightily impressive on that occasion, winning by over four lengths and I think that’s the best form on offer here. Timberlake – 4/1 (Win)
11.40: Juvenile Turf: The concluding race of the evening is the Juvenile Turf which is Grade 1 action over a mile. I think that this can go to River Tiber who currently heads the betting at around the 5/2 mark for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He looked seriously progressive at the start of the campaign when winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and has since gone on to place in back-to-back Group 1s. I think the step up in trip is what he wants now and his sire had form on quick ground, suggesting he shouldn’t have an issue with it. It would be disappointing should he not put in a bold showing here. River Tiber – 5/2 (Win)