Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
IMPERIA (6-1) – This impeccably bred colt put it all together last out to take the Pilgrim (GIII) in his second career start. That effort was his first win, having finished second in his debut after a rough trip. His dam, Cocoa Beach, was a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner, with top level wins on both turf and dirt. Imperia has been working well in advance of this attempt and goes to the gate for Godolphin, who won this race last year with Outstrip.
LUCK OF THE KITTEN (8-1) – This Kitten's Joy colt seems likely to contend for the early lead, having led at the first two points of call in all four previous races. There should be no concerns about his ability to endure throughout, as his pedigree boasts significant stamina on both the male and female sides. With a win over the Santa Anita turf course and a favorable jockey switch, the less fancied Wesley Ward trainee in this race could be an overlay.
WAR ENVOY (9-2) – One of the two colts sent out by ownership team which has won this race in two of the past three editions. War Envoy is actually the longer price of the two, but could be the one which more enjoys the slightly longer distance. Unlike his stablemate Hootenanny, War Envoy has twice raced at the seven furlong distance, including a deceptively good effort last time out when beaten less than two lengths in the Grand Criterium (Group 1). He also stands to improve with first time Lasix.
DANNY BOY (20-1) – Finished second last out in the Bourbon (GIII), closing from at least 10 lengths back at the first point of call to be beaten just a half-length by Lawn Ranger, who breaks just to his inside in this race. Danny Boy has followed that effort with three solid works, including a sizzling move over the Santa Anita turf course on Saturday the 25th. This could be a longshot to keep in mind for exotics.
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
FED BIZ (7-2) – Now a five-year-old, Fed Biz seems to be in the best form of his career after hinting of immense talent now for several years. He took it to Shared Belief last time out in the Awesome Again (GI), falling just a neck short of knocking off the undefeated gelding and Breeders' Cup Classic favorite. While he was beaten by morning-line favorite Goldencents two back going seven furlongs, a mile seems to be more to his liking and I'll take a shot with the more enticing price.
GOLDENCENTS (6-5) – A deserving short-priced favorite in here, Goldencents looks to defend in a race he won impressively last year. He has been kept to sprinting this summer, after twice losing at the mile distance following his Breeders' Cup win last year. It should be noted that while he consistently puts in great efforts, he owns only a single victory from five starts since last year's triumph; he burned money as the favorite in three of those losses. Regardless, one must figure he will be in the thick of things at the wire.
TAPITURE (6-1) – One of just two 3-year-olds in this race, Tapiture has put in three solid efforts since his abysmal start in the Kentucky Derby this spring. It has been noted that Tapiture has benefitted from maturity as the year has progressed, which seems evident in both his race results and his form in moring workouts, which are unusually sharp for an Asmussen trainee. Worthy of note: Rosie Napravnik opts to ride him over Vicar's In Trouble. Still, there seems to be quite a distance between the top two and this colt.
PANTS ON FIRE (6-1) – Had to travel to Charles Town to get his first win since last fall, but did so fairly effortlessly which should see him come in fresh to this race. He has hit the board in all four starts this year but faces a much stiffer class test in today's event. He has shown the ability to run with top quality horses in the past, and has shown a versatile running style, which should be to his benefit in today's race.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
SIVOLIERE (12-1) – This regally bred filly may be invading from France, but she' been on American soil training up to this race since September under the watchful eye of Chad Brown, who won the first edition of this race. Sivoliere sports three wins from five starts in France against respectable company. Her pedigree makes her an enticing play at 12-1; her second dam is Group 1 winning mare Sophisticat, herself out of champion Serena's Song. Chad Brown snags comebacking Gary Stevens to pilot the filly.
RAINHA DA BATERIA (12-1) – She was an impressive winner of the Jessamine (GIII) last time out at Keeneland, racing wide and coming from 14 lengths back to win going away. A well intentioned filly from the Three Chimneys arsenal, she is a half to two graded stakes winners on the grass (Kindergarden Kid and Assateague) as well as He's Had Enough, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile two years back.
OSAILA (5-1) – A winner of three of her last four starts, she comes into this race off a big win last out at Newmarket. She comes from Hannon's yard, known for its prowess in racking up wins with juveniles across the pond. She also sports a nice pedigree; her second dam, Detroit, was a winner of the Arc back in the 90's. That suggests she'll have no trouble as she stretches out in distance.
LADY ELI (6-1) – She brings her perfect two-for-two record into this race after a dominating win in the Ms Grillo (GIII) at Belmont. In that effort she stalked the leaders throughout before pulling away to an impressive three length score, despite being wide throughout. She is a half to Bizzy Caroline, a multiple graded stakes winner on the grass, and comes into this race following a bullet move at Belmont.
Breeders' Cup Distaff
TIZ MIDNIGHT (10-1) – Nothing if not consistent, this well-bred four-year-old filly has hit the board in each of her seven lifetime starts. She is rapidly improving after getting off to a bit of a late start to her career; in fact, she didn't see the winner's circle until June of this year. She was second last out to two-time champion Beholder in the home track prep for this race, beaten less than a length and closing strongly. She was bred to compete at the top level, as both her sire and dam were multiple Grade 1 winners from Bob Baffert's barn.
CLOSE HATCHES (3-1) – She reeled off four consecutive wins to start her year and vault herself to the top of the division before throwing in an inexplicable clunker last out in the Spinster (GI). It's okay to look past that dismal effort if one is in a forgiving mood, but if her price drops below her morning line mark it makes it all the tougher. It must be noted that she has followed up that poor effort with a bullet move (best of 83 at Belmont on Sunday) and gets back to a track over which she has run well previously.
IOTAPA (6-1) – She was the queen of California racing this summer in the absence of Beholder, taking a pair of Grade 1 races – including the Vanity (GI) by ten lengths. She put in an entirely respectable effort last out when third behind champion Beholder and the aforementioned Tiz Midnight. She owns a solid record over the Santa Anita strip (one which interestingly matches the lifetime record of Tiz Midnight), which includes her ten length Vanity score.
UNTAPABLE (5-2) – The undisputed leader of the three-year-old filly division, Untapable was untouchable earlier this year as she reeled off daylight wins in the division's best races. While her talent goes unquestioned, it's difficult to make the case that she has continued to progress as the season went on, as her two most recent efforts are markedly less impressive than the four which preceded them. As she's likely to take a lot of money in here, I'll try to beat her while keeping her in the exotics mix.
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