Race 4 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint – 6 Furlongs – Dirt
There isn’t much form on many of these in a compact field and #2 CEILING KITTY is likely an overlay on the tote. While taking Euro shippers to get over dirt is always a longshot, she is the most accomplished horse in the race, and completely impressed us in the morning at Santa Anita, bouncing with vigor. #3 MERIT MAN and #5 SUPER NINETY NINE seem the best and most likely chances on dirt. While we aren’t strong on the race, Ceiling Kitty offers the best value.
1st – #2 CEILING KITTY, 2nd – #3 MERIT MAN, 3rd – #5 SUPER NINETY NINE
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Race 5 – Breeders’ Cup Marathon – 1 ¾ Miles – Dirt
#3 BALLADRY is a monumental longshot in a race that hasn’t shied from producing them in the past, but the Godolphin runner for Dubai World Cup winning trainer Eoin Harty might just wake up with the removal of blinkers. This is yet another race without a strong opinion, but Balladry has shown a propensity for just galloping along, a trait this race needs (Afleet Again a perfect example of it last year). #12 WORTH REPEATING mixes it up well on dirt, and the Canadian shipper #11 COMMANDER will do his running from the front in the hopes of an upset by stretching the field.
1st – #3 BALLADRY, 2nd – #11 COMMANDER, 3rd – #12 WORTH REPEATING
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Race 6 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – 1 Mile – Turf
Our strongest opinion of the weekend comes here with #5 SPRING VENTURE. She is a beast waiting to be fully discovered, and if anywhere near her 5-1 morning line, a huge play. Most impressive to us was her gallop-out when winning the Natalma at Woodbine – repelling the nearest foes in running, and then re-breaking when they approached her on the gallop out. Our BEST BET of the entire weekend.
1st – #5 SPRING VENTURE, 2nd – #3 SKY LANTERN, #2 SUMMER OF FUN
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Race 7 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – 1 1/16 Miles – Dirt
If you like Spring Venture, you have to like #3 SPRING IN THE AIR just a bit. Spring Venture defeated Spring in the Air in the Natalma, and then the latter came back to win the Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland off a very wide trip on a track that does not favour such a trip. Her pedigree suggests dirt will be no problem, and her physical appearance has been impeccable on course. The pace sets up for her to run from well out of it, and the likely price is suitable. She hails from the same barn as Spring Venture, and Mark Casse is wildly confident. #2 EXECUTIVEPRIVILEGE has been the best filly on the west coast this year and showed it even more so in her two-turn debut last time. How much the pace dulls her is the question.
1st – #3 SPRING IN THE AIR, 2nd – #2 EXECUTIVEPRIVILEGE, 3rd – #1 BEHOLDER
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Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – 1 ¼ Miles – Turf
#4 THE FUGUE and #10 RIDASIYNA are borderline inseparable to us, but we side with The Fugue on top. John Gosden has earmarked this race for months and think The Fugue has been most impressive when not getting pace to run into, which happened in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks when BC Turf chance Shareta yo-yo’d to the win in a driving rainstorm. From an on-course betting perspective, we are coupling this two in everything, but for the purpose of a top selection, Gosden does it again for William Buick.
1st – #4 THE FUGUE, 2nd – #10 RIDASIYNA, 3rd – #11 I’M A DREAMER
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Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic – 1 1/8 Miles – Dirt
We have been keen on #6 ROYAL DELTA, even selecting her to win the Dubai World Cup this year. She has been pointed back to a Breeders’ Cup engagement for months after winning this race last season. Most important, the pace in this race should enable it to perfectly set the table for the daughter of Empire Maker to manage it again.
1st – #6 ROYAL DELTA, 2nd – #7 INCLUDE ME OUT, 3rd – #4 QUESTING