2019 Breeders’ Cup Friday Preview by Dave Stevos
2019 Breeders’ Cup Friday Tips and Preview
It is a huge weekend for racing with the 2019 Breeders’ Cup the highlight at Santa Anita. The Vertem Futurity Trophy is run tomorrow at Newcastle, check out our preview here. The 2019 Breeders’ Cup also starts on Friday with four Grade 1s and a Grade 2 on the opening day. Dave Stevos has previewed the card, check out his 2019 Breeders’ Cup Friday tips below …
8.12pm Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 2)
The turf track is firm at Santa Anita so there will be no excuses for these 2yo sprinters. A dozen speedsters will go to post in this 5f Grade 2 and the European challenge is led by A’Ali. Frankie rides for Simon Crisford and he has solid form in the book. He has won on good to firm but the one I like has form that ties in with A’Ali yet he is 4 times the price.
Dream Shot is chalked up at 20/1 with Skybet who are paying 5 places e/w. He has only a length to find with A’Ali on their meeting at Doncaster when James Tate’s charge was arguably unlucky not to finish closer. Dream Shot flew home for 2nd in a decent Listed heat at Dundalk two weeks ago and if he gets a strong pace to aim at he could be very dangerous with top jockey Chris Hayes in the plate. 20/1 looks far too big given his form and he is the each way pick.
2019 BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY TIPS: DREAM SHOT E/W @ 20/1 5 PLACES (SKYBET) NB
8.52pm – Juvenile Turf (Grade 1)
Second up on the opening night at the Breeders’ Cup is the 8f Grade 1 Juvenile Turf contest. 14 will line up in the stalls and European trainers have a fine record in this, winning 8 of the 12 renewals. This year it is up to Aidan O’Brien to hold off the American challengers and Arizona heads the market for Ballydoyle.
This son of No Nay Never got to within 2L of Pinatubo over 7f last time (sft) at Newmarket. His sole run on properly quick ground resulted in an 8L win at the Curragh (6f). However, his sire is a massive speed influence and the trip has to be a worry for his supporters. Fort Myers, on the other hand, is bred to get a mile. He wasn’t suited by a small field and mudding pace on his first try at 7f but he won a Listed contest over the trip in good style last time at Dundalk.
He is by War Front, whose progeny love fast ground, so conditions look ideal here. His dam won the Irish 1000 Guineas and is a sister to Group 1 7f/8f winners Gleneagles and Happily. Fort Myers has only raced over 6f and 7f so far but he has shaped as though further would suit more than once. At odds of 16/1 he is the each way selection with Wayne Lordan in the plate.
2019 BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY TIPS: FORT MYERS E/W @ 16/1
2019 Breeders’ Cup Friday: 9.32pm – Juvenile Fillies Dirt (Grade 1)
The first race on the Dirt is the 8.5f Juvenile Fillies Group 1 and nine 2yos will go to post. Bast is the market leader for Baffert and Velazquez and she is on a hat trick after a couple of Grade 1 victories. However, at odds of 1/5 she made very hard work of it last time over C&D. She had only a neck to spare over Comical who re-opposes here. On that form Comical has to be overpriced at 18/1 but at even bigger odds, the 3rd home in that race could go well.
This race looks chock full of pace and it could be run at a breakneck gallop. Five of the nine fillies have made all or tried to make all, so it could set up for a closer. KP Dreamin was held up last time behind Comical and Bast and she was definitely closing at the finish. I liked how she finished off her race and if she gets a stronger early pace to aim at she could finish much closer to those two rivals. Perfect Alibi is another who could have the race run to suit but at 50/1, K P Dreamin has to be worth a couple of quid each way.
2019 BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY TIPS: K P DREAMIN E/W @ 50/1
2019 Breeders’ Cup Friday: 10.12pm – Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1)
The penultimate race on Day 1 at the Breeders Cup is a mile contest for 2yo fillies on the turf. Jessie Harrington’s daughter of Zoffany Albigna heads the market and she is an exciting prospect. The step up to a mile suited her last time at Longchamp on testing ground. She is proven on quick ground too and bar her poor run in the Moyglare, it is hard to pick holes in her form. Dusty Foley is riding well and 9/2 is a more than fair price.
However, the Americans have farmed this race since its inception in 2008. Charlie Hills broke their stranglehold in 2013 but bar that, the home team have won every renewal. Chad Brown has won it five times since 2008 and he is on a four timer in the race. Selfessly is of obvious interest for him here, but stall 13 could make things tough. The horse that finished 2nd behind her last time, Crystalle, was a massive eye catcher.
Joel Rosario dropped her way out the back and she was still detached 2 furlongs out. Rosario rode her like she was a machine and the way she finished off suggests he might be right. She had to come widest of all to challenge and she showed a smart turn of foot to reel them all in bar the winner. If Rosario can plot a better route this time she could run a big one for e/w players at 12/1.
2019 BREEDERS’ CUP TIPS FRIDAY: CRYSTALLE E/W @ 12/1 NAP
11.03 pm – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade 1)
This is the feature and a field of 8 will battle it out for the first prize of £866,142 in this 8.5f Dirt Group 1. Two horses that are unbeaten in their two completed starts are Dennis’ Moment and Eight Rings. They have one unseat to their names apiece but bar those blemishes they are 2/2. Unsurprisingly the bookies have them at the head of the market with Dennis’ Moment 13/8 and Eight Rings 7/4.
One outsider that could go well for each way backers is Anneau D’Or. This son of Medaglia d’Oro won his maiden by 8L on turf, his only start so far. The dirt is an unknown for him but he should handle it being out of a Tapit mare. He is from a very talented family which includes Belmont Stakes winner Hold That Tiger. If Anneau D’Or takes to the dirt he could sneak into the places and at 25/1 he is the each way selection.
