Breeders Cup Selections
Saturday 1st November
7.00 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
HOPE ROAD – 5/1 (Each-Way)
Two-length winner of a Grade 1 last time out, with that success coming at Saratoga. She’s also got form at this track, having won two Grade 3s here previously, and she could prove value against the likely short favourite Sweet Azteca.
7.41 Del Mar: Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
AG BULLET – 11/2 (Each-Way)
Ran a huge race in this contest last year when finishing a neck third of eleven behind Stardust and the re-opposing Motorious. Comes into this year’s renewal in good form, winning a Grade 1 at Saratoga on his penultimate start, before a Grade 2 at Keeneland recently. Very speedy, and should give another account.
8.21 Del Mar: Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint
STRAIGHT NO CHASER – 8/1 (Each-Way) (Treble)
Won this race last year, and returned to the track with a respectable effort when third within Grade 2 company at Santa Anita last time out. He got tired in the closing stages that day, and he should almost certainly be a lot sharper for this assignment. He has every chance of posting a bold bid to retain his crown under Velazquez.
9.01 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Distaff
NITROGEN – 4/1 (Win)
Quirky type, however, has bundles of talent. Narrowly denied by the reopposing Gin Gin last time out in Grade 1 company at Keeneland, and before that won the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. She was third in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf race here last year, proving that she can handle the track. If she puts her best foot forward, she has enough talent to go very close.
9.41 Del Mar: Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf
MINNIE HAUK – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
Exceptional filly who won three straight Group 1s over the summer, which was an Oaks treble in the Epsom, Irish, and Yorksire Oaks. She was only denied by a head when attempting to make it four in a row in the Arc’ last time out, and I think she’ll take a lot of beating here for O’Brien and Soumillon.
10.25 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Classic
FIRECENESS – 10/3 (Win) (NB)
Second in last year’s race behind the reopposing Sierra Leone and bounced back to form in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic here last time out, getting the better of another reopposing rival in Journalism by three lengths and a quarter. Star quality about him, and he can post a very bold bid at a track he likes.
11.05 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Mile
THE LION IN WINTER – 13/2 (Each-Way)
Not lived up to the promise he showed as a two-year-old, however, he’s been finding his feet late on in his campaign this term, with two big runs in Group 1 company at Longchamp and Ascot in his last two runs, finishing close-up in the placings in both of those starts. He could be peaking form-wise in this last stage of the season, and he acts on the fast ground he’ll encounter here.
11.45 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
FULL SERRANO – 4/1 (Win)
Won this race last year in good style by a length and a half, and lost nothing in defeat last time out to the likely useful Nevada Beach in Grade 1 company at Santa Anita. Has an excellent record of 1112 at this course, and will likely be primed for another bold show in this particular contest.
12.25 Del Mar: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
DIAMOND RAIN – 8/1 (Each-Way)
Progressive filly who won Listed & Group 3 contests back-to-back earlier on in the season, came from a very long way back in Grade 1 company last time out at Woodbine, to eventually only be beaten by a head. Could go well here at a nice price with a more prominent ride.
