Breeders’ Cup DAY 2 Preview

Friday night was almost a complete write off for us at Santa Anita. None of our first four selections hit the frame but at least Anneau D’Or ensured we didn’t blank. He almost got up for a famous win on just his second start, just missing out in 2nd. At least he landed our e/w bets, returning at 28/1. Saturday is a bumper day at the Breeders’ Cup with no less than nine races. Dave Stevos has put in t overtime and has previewed the card. Check out his 2019 Breeders’ Cup Saturday tips below…

2019 Breeders’ Cup Saturday: 6.55pm Filly and Mare Sprint (Grade 1)

Nine fillies and mares go to post for this 7f Grade 1 on the dirt. Covfefe will bid to become just the 2nd 3yo to win this race since its inception in 2007 after Shamrock Rose last year. Given the overall record of 3yos in this race, the percentage call is too oppose. Irad Ortiz has won the last two renewals but he has no representative this year. Come Dancing looks the most likely winner but Dawn The Destroyer could go well if things fall right.

This lightly raced 5yo daughter of Speightstown is amazingly still a maiden after 7 runs. However, she well deserves her place in the field and she chased home Come Dancing on her last start at this trip. She has quite a few lengths to find with that horse but if this is a stronger run race she could close the gap. She can get a bit far behind sometimes, so hopefully she can stay in touch and if it is a strong pace, then pounce late. Dawn The Destroyer is the each way pick at 20/1.

BREEDERS’ CUP TIPS: DAWN THE DESTROYER E/W @ 20/1

Breeders’ Cup Saturday: 7.33pm – Turf Sprint (Grade 1)

This 5f sprint has been a happy hunting ground for Peter Miller, who was amongst the winners on Friday. Stormy Liberal has won the last two and he is back to try and complete the hat trick. He won it on firm at 40/1 from stall 4 at Del Mar in 2017. In 2018 it was yielding ground at Churchill Downs and in 2019 he will face firm ground again, this time at Santa Anita.

He has won here before, over 6.5f, but he has loads of placed form at 5f too. He has shaped well on his last two starts and connections have opted for the experience of John Velazquez. Everything points towards him putting up a bold defence of his crown and 10/1 looks a big price. At those odds, Stormy Liberal is worth backing each way in a wide open contest.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: STORMY LIBERAL E/W @ 10/1 (4 PLACES BETWAY) NAP

8.10pm – Dirt Mile (Grade 1)

The ‘Big Ass Fans’ Dirt Mile definitely wins the prize for the best named race on the card. You wouldn’t see that at Royal Ascot! This race is all about Omaha Beach who is a very exciting 3yo. By War Front, Richard Mandella’s charge is on a 4 timer, the last 2 wins coming at Grade 1 level. He only ever seems to do enough to win and he gives the impression there could be more in the tank. His last run and win came after a long break came over 6f and it was a gutsy display.

That should put him cherry ripe for this and the step back up to 8f will suit. Improbable has a length to find with the fav on their meeting in April but he has not built on that. The one that could go well at huge odds is Giant Expectations.

He is back for a third try in this race and he disappointed in it last year and in 2017. Those runs were at Churchill Downs and Del Mar though and this horse is better at Santa Anita. He chased home Arrogate over 8.5f here and his only other run here at that trip resulted in a Grade 2 win. Connections have likely kept him in training especially for this race and at 25/1 he is the each way pick. Hopefully he makes it third time lucky.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: GIANT EXPECTATIONS E/W @ 25/1

8.54pm – Filly and Mare Turf (Grade 1)

The European horses flopped on Friday night but Saturday provides a few more chances to the raiders. This 10f Grade 1 for the girls is run over 10f and while Chad Brown won it last year, Appleby and Stoute landed it in 2017 and 2016. Chad Brown has the hot favourite here, the marvellous mare Sistercharlie. This winning machine has won 10 of her 14 starts and an incredible six Grade 1s in a row. She took this race last year, beating Wild Illusion by a neck and plenty fancy her to defend her crown.

However, Fleeting is a horse I have a huge amount of time for and she could upset the applecart. This daughter of Zoffany was unlucky not to win the Oaks and she has not had the rub of the green on any of her starts this season. She definitely has a race like this in her and if things pan out better than they did at Arlington she could get a lot closer to Sistercharlie. Fleeting holds solid place claims at the very least and at 9/1 she is worth backing each way.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP TIPS SATURDAY: FLEETING  E/W @ 9/1

2019 Breeders’ Cup Saturday: 9.36pm – Dirt Sprint (Grade 1)

A field of 9 will go to post for the 6f Grade 1 Dirt sprint and 9 time winner Mitole heads the market. This horse sluiced in over 7f at Saratoga last time but previously finished well beaten over 6f. He was 7.5L behind Imperial Hint that day and it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in the rematch. One that looks a shade overpriced is last year’s runner up in this race, Whitmore.

This 6yo son of Pleasantly Perfect warmed up for this with a fine effort in a Grade 2 at Keeneland. He is a hold up sort so he will need them to go too fast early and the pace to collapse late. This will be his first start at Santa Anita so the track is an unknown, but he has shown his best form on fast dirt. At odds of 20/1 Whitmore could pounce late for a place and a small each way bet is advised.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP TIPS SATURDAY: WHITMORE  E/W @ 20/1

10.20pm – Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1)

The Breeders’ Cup mile has attracted a stellar field of 14 and Circus Maximus is the 3/1 jolly. Drawn in stall 9, this fella’s form at a mile is top notch but he was lucky to hold onto the race at Longchamp last time. Whether this track will suit Circus Maximus is up for debate but if he does handle it he will be a threat to all.

Lord Glitters will be ridden by Jamie Spencer and David O’Meara’s charge shouldn’t be discounted. The son of Whipper has disappointed on his last three starts but his win at Ascot in the Queen Anne would give him a squeak here. He needs a fast run race on quick ground to show his best over a mile and he should get that tonight. Lord Glitters will be dropped in and produced late by Spencer. If the gaps come at the right time he could reward e/w support at 20/1 (4 places).   

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: LORD GLITTERS E/W @ 20/1 (4 PLACES LADBROKES)

11.00pm – Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Grade 1)

Another one for the ladies, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff is run over 9f on the dirt. Midnight Bisou looks a solid favourite here for Asmussen and Mike Smith. She has looked better than ever this year and she is 7/7 since her 3rd in this last season. She is 3/3 at Santa Anita, winning by a combined distance of 10.25L. One of those was a Grade 1 (8.5f) and her tactical versatility means she will be tough to beat here.

At a price last year’s runner up Wow Cat could sneak a place if on a going day. She has trailed in behind Midnight Bisou on her last two starts, but she at least closed the gap last time. Wow Cat did finish in front of the favourite in this last year, so if she is at her best she could give her something to think about. Chad Brown knows how to train winners at this meeting and at odds of 22/1 Wow Cat is the each way pick.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: WOW CAT E/W @ 22/1 NB

11.40pm – Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade 1)

This is a race that the Europeans will be hoping to make a big impact in. Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck needs to put some poor runs behind him, but quick ground could be the key to him. It will be interesting to see how he goes on firm Santa Anita turf. 5/2 is not a big enough price to warrant a bet though. Aidan O’Brien has won this race on six occasions though, so neither of his runners can be discounted with confidence.

Bricks and Mortar heads the home challenge and he is edging favouritism at 2/1. The son of Giant’s Causeway is yet to taste defeat since returning from a long break, winning six on the spin all at 8f to 10f. Will he stay? That is the question, but his run style suggests that 12f should be well within his compass. He is related to a couple of hurdle winners too, so stamina should not be an issue. United, another son of Giant’s Causeway, could run well at huge odds.

He was given too much to do by Flavien Prat here over 10f last time. The front two got first run but he was closing fast in the final stages. Acclimate was a place ahead of him and over an extra 2f Richard Mandella’s horse can turn that form around. I think Bricks And Mortar will win, but at 80/1 a small each way interest on United is also advised.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: BRICKS AND MORTAR @ 2/1; UNITED E/W @ 80/1

00.44am – Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1)

The blue riband race is one of the most open renewals for some time. There is nothing between the top four or five in the market and a case can be made for almost all of them. There are three co-favourites at 4/1, Mckinzie, Code Of Honour and Vino Rosso. Yoshida is 6/1 and Elate can be backed at 7/1. Of those at bigger prices, Higher Power and Seeking The Soul could outrun their odds, but this is likely to be a race where the market leaders come to the fore. I won’t be getting involved here, this is a race to just sit back and enjoy. No bet.

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP SATURDAY TIPS: NO BET