I have pored through the preps, the past performances and the morning shows and come up with some selections and thoughts for the 40th Breeders’ Cup World Championships – good luck!
RACE 3 – Dirt Mile (G1)
Pick 5
3 – CODY’S WISH – some think Zozos will run away on the pace and make it tough for Cody to come back and win this race again. I think Cody is just too strong
4 – ZOZOS
9 – NATIONAL TREASURE
RACE 4 – Filly & Mare Turf (G1)
Canadian reps, Moira and Fev Rover (Ire) do figure in the top 4 but likely for smaller shares
6 – INSPIRAL (GB) – Move out from 1 mile races to 10 furlongs for John Gosden, Dettori; two straight Group 1
2 – WARM HEART – Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore, she cuts back to 10 furlongs
8 – FEV ROVER – EP Taylor winner has tactical speed
4 – MOIRA – needs clean trip, has to hurry
RACE 5 – Filly & Mare Sprint (g1)
PICK 4
1 – GOODNIGHT OLIVE – won this race last year, has speed to run at once again, 6 or 8 at the seven furlong distance
4 – MATAREYA
7 – SOCIETY
5 – KIRSTENBOSCH
RACE 6 – Mile (G1)
PICK 4
Is there much front-end speed in the Mile? It doesn’t seem so. Woodbine Mile hero Master of the Seas has looked like a bear all week, he has post 13 but might be the best anyway.
14 – MASTER OF THE SEAS – has a good kick and the formidable Appleby stable on his side
6 – MAWJ (Ire) – 3yo filly’s half brother Modern Games own this race last year. She is a nice one with some tactical speed
1 – SHIRL’S SPEIGHT – Canadian based, owned and trainer fellow was 2nd in this race last year. Third start off the layoff suggests a peak effort coming
10 – SONGLINE (Jpn) –top miler is a 5yo mare with two Gr 1’s this year
RACE 7 – Distaff (G1)
PICK 5
Lots of possible front end speed in this 1 1/8 mile dirt race
9 – CLARIERE – 3rd by a head in this race last year, only 1 for 8 at the distance which is cause for pause, but sets up for her
4 – IDIOMATIC – 5 to 2 fave has won 4 straight, doesn’t need the lead
11 – LE DA VIDA (CHI) – road warrior mare is at her 7th different track in succession; off the pace type has a habit of not switching leads
5 – ADARE MANOR – Baffert filly is a speed presence but 6 for 9 at Santa Anita
RACE 8 – Turf (g1)
This is a super field of marathon turfers. The Euros are monsters and the Americans are pretty good too.
11 – KING OF STEEL, won on a bog in Champion Stakes, and he’s a big guy who might have trouble with turns? Still, he is at the top of his game right now
8 – UP TO THE MARK – has won Grade 1’s at 1 mile, 9 fur. and 10 fur and now tries 10 fur. against the Epsom derby winner (August Rodin) , Champion Stakes winner (King of Steel) and the like
5 – AUGUSTE RODIN – Derby winner, Irish Champion winner is an all or nothing guy but good enough to win
13 – WAR LIKE GODDESS – remarkable mare has proven herself against the big boys
RACE 9 – CLASSIC (G1)
3 – WHITE ABARRIO – too sharp right now to not pick him
4 – USHBA TESORO (JPN) – He’s won the Dubai World Cup and 6 straight. Has looked fresh and ready this week.
12 – ARABIAN KNIGHT
13 – PROXY
RACE 10 – TURF SPRINT (G1)
5 furlongs, mad dash on turf, a free-for-all
14 – BEER CAN MAN – from the also eligible list, my favourite play. He will need a lot of luck to get through traffic
5 – LIVE IN THE DREAM – very fast Euro is the one to catch
3 – CARAVEL – won this race last year
10 – MOTORIOUS – stablemate of top pick is a Santa Anita ace
RACE 11 – SPRINT (G1)
2 – DR. SCHIVEL – beaten a nose in this race at Del Mar in 2021
8 – ELITE POWER – won this race last year
9 – GUNITE – turns back to best distance
6 – THE CHOSEN VRON – 8 straight wins
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