Saturday 4th 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.
6.30: Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: The first selection of the evening comes in the 6.30 which is the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. I think that this is all about Cody’s Wish who currently heads the betting for William Mott and Julian Alvarado. He’s got by far the best form on offer here as he’s already a multiple Grade 1 winner, if he’s anywhere near his best here he should prove very tough to beat. Cody’s Wish – 5/6 (Win)
7.10: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf: Next up it’s the Filly & Mare Turf over a mile an two furlongs. I’m siding with Warm Heart to get the better of Inspiral here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s progressed markedly this campaign, winning back-to-back Group 1s on her last two outings at York and Longchamp. She also gets four pounds off the Gosden mare here, and if continuing her progression she’s a massive player. Warm Heart – 11/4 (Win)
7.50: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint: It’s the Filly & Mare Sprint at 7.50 and in this year’s renewal of the race I think it’s all about Goodnight Olive who currently heads the betting for Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz Jr. She’s already a three-time Grade 1 winner and is the reigning champion of the race having won the race last year, getting the better of the seriously talented Echo Zulu in the process. She has the best form in the race by a considerable margin and it would take a big performance to prevent her from regaining her crown. Goodnight Olive – Evs (Win)
8.30: Breeders’ Cup Mile: My next selection comes in the 8.30 which is the Breeders Cup Mile. Mawj sets the standard here at the top of the betting, but I’m taking her on with another Godolphin runner in Master Of The Seas for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s become somewhat of a globetrotter for connections having won the Woodbine Mile earlier in the season and was only narrowly denied another Grade 1 at Keeneland last time out. I think at the prices he’s a very solid selection. Master Of The Seas – 6/1 (Each-Way)
9.10: Breeders’ Cup Distaff: We’re back on the dirt now for the Breeders Cup Distaff which is contested over a mile and a furlong. I’ve sided with Adare Manor here who represents the Bob Baffert stable. She’s developed into a winning machine throughout this campaign, winning her last five outings with three coming at this track which is a considerable plus in her favour. She’s also claimed Grade 1 honours on a penultimate outing at Del Mar and I think she can run a massive race here. Adare Manor – 11/2 (Each-Way)
9.50: Breeders’ Cup Turf: We have a cracking renewal of the Breeders Cup Turf on our hands, in which I’ve sided with Auguste Rodin for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. His form hasn’t been the most consistent this term, however, the Derby winner bounced back to form on his most recent run when winning the Irish Champion Stakes and I think he’ll appreciate the extremely quick ground that he will face here. If he’s on song, I think he could prove tough to beat. Auguste Rodin – 3/1 (Win)
10:40: Breeders’ Cup Classic: The feature race of the meeting is the Breeders Cup Classic which is set to take place at the slightly earlier time of 10:40 this year. It’s not a vintage renewal of the race, however, I like the chances of the Japanese raider here in Ushba Tesoro who’s currently a 4/1 chance. He won the Dubai World Cup back in March and made his return to the track in September where he won comfortably in what looked an ideal prep race for this. This has clearly been the plan for him for some time and if he turns up in the same kind of form that he did when winning in Dubai, he’s the one they all have to beat. Ushba Tesoro – 4/1 (Win)
11:25: Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: My final selection of this year’s Breeders Cup comes in the Turf Sprint at 11:25 where I’ve sided with Caravel for Brad Cox and Tyler Gaffalione. She won the race last year when a massive price and went on to taste further Grade 1 success, proving it was no fluke. She’s been beaten the last twice when going off at short prices, which isn’t ideal, however, she had a slight break midway through the summer and should be primed and ready to go. If returning to the form of last year I think she’s a very tempting price. Caravel – 7/1 (Each-Way)