Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
TOP DOCILE (10-1) – After a wide trip throughout, she closed from over a dozen lengths back to finish a hard charging second in the Alcibiades (GI) last out at Keeneland. That's not to say she doesn't possess early speed, of which she showed plenty when taking her debut at Saratoga while sprinting. Her versatility should be an asset in this evenly matched race and she could be an upset possibility.
CRISTINA'S JOURNEY (6-1) – She is undefeated and untested from two starts and became a graded stakes winner last out when taking the Pocahontas (GII) at Churchill Downs. She has led early in both races, but was able to relax through pedestrian fractions last out when routing for the first time, suggesting she may be able to rate if needed. She has two good workouts over this racetrack, including a bullet five furlong move on October 18 (best of 83 at the distance).
ANGELA RENEE (3-1) – She put all the pieces together last out when taking the Chandelier (GI), the local prep for today's race. That was also her first start going a route of ground. Given her pedigree, it's not surprise she moved forward as the distance increased; she is a full sister to multiple Grade 1 stakes winner To Honor and Serve, himself a multiple graded stakes winner at age two. The knock against her as the favorite may be her works, which haven't been terribly inspiring since her big effort last out.
CONQUEST ECLIPSE (4-1) – She was second last out in the Chandelier to Angela Renee, and was actually favored to beat that foe in the race. Since that effort, she has put in three good works, two of which were bullets. She got a little wobbly legged in her most recent effort, and this race should prove to be a deal more difficult. She has plenty of talent, but not convinced she'll keep moving forward routing.
Breeders' Cup Turf Distaff
STEPHANIE'S KITTEN (3-1) – When she started the year it looked as if she was no longer interested in racing, but she has really come into for as the year progressed. She looked as good as ever when taking the Flower Bowl (GI) in her most recent effort, which was preceded by two very good runner up finishes in Grade 1 stakes action. She comes into this effort off two bullet works, which is uncommon for her, and one must assume she is in top form. If that's the case, she'll be very difficult to defeat.
DANK (5-2) – She was in impressive winner of this race last year but has failed to impress from two starts overseas since that effort. To be fair, she faced much tougher than she'll find here in both races, but she also failed to come within 8 lengths of the winner in either event. She must be respected in this as the defending champ, but last year's field was devoid of a strong American turf female; that is not the case this year.
SECRET GESTURE (6-1) - She has been facing top quality competition overseas for the better part of two years, always at a route of ground equal or longer to today's course. Her top European form and proven ability to navigate ten furlongs make her an obvious consideration in today's race, and possibly an overlooked choice if Dank attracts most of the attention of the raiders.
DAYATTHESPA (8-1) – She got off to a late start this year, as she didn't see the starting gate until August, but she has made the most of her three starts. She took down another Grade 1 last out in the First Lady (GI) at Keeneland over a staunch field of turf distaffers. California does seem to be her Achilles Heel, as she has finished off the board in the Matriarch each of the last two years. That being said, she is likely the one they'll need to run down as the approach the stretch.
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
ARTEMIS AGROTERA (3-1) – She has turned into an absolute monster since her connections stopped trying to stretch her out and rerouted her to sprint races. She streaks into this race having won her last three starts, including a dominating win in the Ballerina (GI) two back by over six lengths. It's said that she looks amazing on the track in advance of this race, and she looks very tough to pick against.
JUDY THE BEAUTY (5-2) – She has been lightly raced this year but has made the most of her four starts, emerging victorious in three of them. That includes a win over the Santa Anita main track earlier this year, and a big Grade 3 score at Del Mar over the hugely talented Reneesgotzip. She is a remarkably consistent mare who is immensely talented, but she may be running up against a buzz saw in the favorite, Artemis Agrotera.
BETTER LUCKY (15-1) – This versatile mare looks like quite an overlay on the morning line. They thought about putting her in the Mile, which came up very tough, but decided to keep her against her own sex in this earlier race. She was no match for Artemis Agrotera two back at Saratoga, but that was a rare dud in a string of otherwise strong efforts on multiple racing surfaces and distances. She is sure to be charging hard at the end, perhaps at long odds.
SWEET REASON (9-2) – When her connections resist the temptation to stretch her out to a route of ground, they are nearly always rewarded with a trip to the winner's circle; that includes three Grade 1 wins when going eight furlongs of less. In fact, the only time she was ever beaten when racing eight furlongs or less was last year in the Frizette – when she fell just over a length short to Artemis Agrotera. She's training sharply for this race.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
RENEESGOTZIP (5-1) – It could be that the third time is a charm for Reneesgotzip in this race; she finished second last year, and third two years back – her only two previous turf starts. Off the grass, she's been equally impressive, including a five length stomping versus restricted stakes company last out. We know she can race against top quality foes, and we know she enjoys racing down the hill. She has the speed to make the rail a benefit, and she'll be tough to run down in the lane.
ZA APPROVAL (20-1) – His campaign this year appears frustrating until his most recent outing; from his first four starts in 2014, the best he could muster was a third place finish. However, it's worth noting he was facing top competition in each outing, and ran at least a couple deceptively good races. In his first sprint race last out, he wired the field and found the winner's circle again. If he draws into this race, it's nearly a certainly he'll run better than his 20-1 morning line odds would indicate.
AMBITIOUS BREW (12-1) – He is always right there at the finish, with four wins and four close second place finishes; three of those runner-up efforts came by less than a half-length, including a second place finish last out in the local prep for this race by just a nose. He has raced down the hill four times and owns three wins from those efforts. There is no reason to believe today's race will be especially more difficult than what he found last out. He must be respected in here, and one must expect his 12-1 morning line odds to drop, perhaps significantly.
NO NAY NEVER (9-2) – The morning line favorite shouldn't be significantly hampered by his far outside post position given the configuration of the course and his zippy early speed. A winner of four of five starts, his only defeat came when racing beyond six furlongs in the Swale (GII) earlier this year – a task he'll be asked to accomplish again in today's race. He's obviously quick, but the extent of his talent is still in question as this will be his stiffest challenge to date – which makes it tough to accept him as the favorite in an otherwise wide open race.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
CARPE DIEM (4-1) – He couldn't have been more impressive in winning the Breeders' Futurity (GI) last out at Keeneland, sweeping to victory by over six lengths in his first start going a route of ground. He is well on his way to recouping his $1.6 million purchase price, a task which could be accomplished in taking this race. He benefits greatly from obvious favorite American Pharaoh being withdrawn from the body of the field and looks poised to stamp himself as divisional leader.
ONE LUCKY DANE (10-1) – He was an impressive winner last out, taking a maiden special weight event by nearly ten lengths over a full field at Santa Anita in his first start over a conventional dirt surface. He takes a big step up in class, but trainer Bob Baffert won this race last year with a colt straight off a maiden victory. This colt was is well intentioned – a half million dollar purchase – and is working sharply in advance of this effort.
DAREDEVIL (7-2) – Like the top pick in here, he brings a two-for-two record into today's race. That includes a salty victory last out in the Champagne (GI) going a one turn mile in the slop. One possible knock against him would be that both previous wins came over an off track, a scenario he is unlikely to face on sunny Los Angeles. That being said, he is working very well for this race, and sports a nice pedigree – he is a half to previous Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champ Albertus Maximus.
SOUPER COLOSSAL (12-1) – He brings a perfect three-for-three record into today's race, but unlike the two favorites in here he has taken advantage of some suspect competition in New Jersey. Although the competition has been weak, he has been winning the right way – by daylight. He sports a nice pedigree and was sold for $350,000 last year. His most recent work for this effort for a very sharp 57 2/5 seconds on Monday, easily the fastest of 42 moves at the distance. Could be a like longshot.
Breeders' Cup Turf
MAIN SEQUENCE (6-1) – He is a perfect three-for-three since jumping across the pond from England. He has won each race by only the scarcest of margins with perfectly timed rides. His morning line odds of 6-1 is an attractive price from a horse undefeated on American soil, even if he is forced to switched jockeys due to his previous pilot's injury. Watch his odds as the race approaches, because the second pick in here is incredibly talented as well.
TELESCOPE (4-1) – Likely Europe's best chance in this race following the defection of defending champ Magician. He has faced the best in Europe this year, falling less than five lengths short of Australia last out – a horse which would be a huge favorite in this race. If his European form carries over – and there's no indication that it won't – he'll be tough in this race. If his odds drift upward, he becomes an even more attractive play.
FLINTSHIRE (7-2) – Like Telescope, he has been facing the best in Europe as well – but he hasn't found the winner's circle in nearly a year and a half. That's not to say he's been a slouch – he was only two lengths beaten last out in the Arc to repeat winner Treve. In fact, he has three solid runner-up efforts from his last four starts – the other two at the hands of well-respected Ruler of the World and Cirrus Des Aigles. Likely to take most of the money in here, which is not entirely undeserved.
HARDEST CORE (10-1) – This is a tricky one to figure out, as he shocked everyone with an upset in the Arlington Million (GI) last out. He's been unraced since that mid-August effort, but is said to be training well in advance of this test. He rides a four race win streak into this race, including a useful score at this distance two back. He's a feel good story and likely to offer enticing odds, and could be used if you feel the Euros are vulnerable.
Breeders' Cup Sprint
FAST ANNA (12-1) – In a race loaded with speed, Fast Anna could possess the best early foot – which will be important given his far outside post position and some reasonable speed directly to his inside. He only has four races and he has been rapidly advanced through the ranks, indicative of immense raw talent. He couldn't be working any better for this race and could be a legitimate upset contender at odds that will perhaps drift upward from his 12-1 morning line pegging.
SECRET CIRCLE (9-2) – Last year he was able to parlay a lone prep into a win in this race, but last year's field pales in comparison to the cast of talent lining up to participate this year. Regardless, Secret Circle is still a remarkably consistent and quick animal, never failing to his the board from 11 lifetime starts. He figures to improve off his prep for this race as he seeks to become only the second horse to win three times at the Breeders' Cup.
INDIANAPOLIS (12-1) – Like Secret Circle he comes from the Bob Baffert barn – and Baffert is known for frequently winning with his 'other' horse. This lightly races three-year-old also boasts only a single recent prep race, his a win over allowance company in a rapidly run race. This pricey purchase couldn't be training any better for this race and could be another overlooked contender in a quality edition of the Sprint.
PRIVATE ZONE (6-1) – He repeated to win the Vosburgh last out, his first win since he won the same race last year. He flopped in this race last year as one of the top two choices, but bounced back after that effort to run a solid race in the Cigar Mile at odds of over 30-1. If you can forgive his poor effort last year in this race, his form looks otherwise very good and his level of talent makes him a solid contender for this race.
Breeders' Cup Mile
TORONADO (5-2) – He figures to be a prohibitive favorite in this year's edition of the Mile following the defection of Wise Dan – and deservedly so. He is considered one of the top milers in Europe this year with a win at Ascot and two solid runner-up finished versus Group 1 competition, including falling just a length short of the highly touted Kingman. There is a great bit of distance between this sharp colt and the second pick in here.
ANODIN (6-1) – Europe figures to dominate in this race and this could be their second best shot. Although he finished fifth last out, he was beaten less than five lengths by Olympic Glory, a highly regarded miler in Europe. And two back, he was only two lengths beaten by Kingman, who also had the measure of Toronado. While Anodin has fallen short of Toronado previously, he is obviously talented and probably better than any American horse in this race.
SEEK AGAIN (6-1) – He has had a good, if frustrating, American campaign this year. He has been frequently foiled by questionable rides, especially last time in the Shadwell Mile when he was completely stymied on the rail. His last start must be forgiven and in the absence of that start he is remarkably consistent. He has every chance to hit the board or better in this race if given a better ride.
OBVIOUSLY (8-1) – California's local hope for this race was unable to do better than fifth last year in a race that was probably softer than this year's edition. Add to that his soft effort in the prep for this race last out when he was seen burning up money, finishing fourth as the 2-5 odds-on choice. Still, he has shown flashes of brilliance and he couldn't be training any better for this race. Likely best to keep him in the mix for exotics.
Breeders' Cup Classic
SHARED BELIEF (9-5) – Undefeated and untested through his first six starts, he finally had the screws put to him in his most recent effort and showed he has the heart the battle. Floated wide throughout, he had the heart to grind down on a resolute Fed Biz to come away with the win. That iron constitution may be needed in this salty edition of the Classic, dominated by immensely talented sophomores. There's no reason to believe he doesn't have what it takes to once again emerge victorious, and I tend to doubt that any in here can repel this powerful gelding.
CALIFORNIA CHROME (4-1) – He put together a magical spring but failed to impress in his comeback race in the Pennsylvania Derby. That probably wasn't the very best spot to bring back this modestly bred Kentucky Derby champion, and he's back on more familiar footing here at Santa Anita. He is training well for this race and his connections indicate he is back to best form. If that's the case, he could have a say in the outcome of this race.
BAYERN (6-1) – His best races have been powerful displays, with three of his four most recent outings resulting in daylight wins over stout competition. But then, two of his last five efforts were embarrassingly bad attempts, resulting in double-digit-length losses. Still, his talent is obvious and he looks like the best speed in this race if he can dispatch of Moreno before the stretch run. But holding off the onslaught from Shared Belief will be a mighty task for a horse which hasn't responded well when looked in the eye.
TONALIST (5-1) – Yet another impressive three-year-old, he'll round out a sophomore superfecta play for me in this race. An impressive winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) last out in his first start versus his elders, he figures to be the wise-guy horse in this race. Still, this race will be his toughest task to date, as this year's older horse division seems suspect at best.
Share This Article
