Canadian International hero WALTON STREET, entered in the Breeders’ Cup Turf with last year’s winner TARNAWA, plus fellow European stars SPACE BLUES, LOVE, CACHET, MOTHER EARTH and MODERN GAMES are some of the major threats in Breeders’ Cup races at Del Mar on Friday and Saturday.
There were 56 horses pre-entered for the two days of racing including seven from Japan. It is the biggest overseas contingent for a Breeders’ Cup World Championships day in the history of the event and as we have seen, horses from overseas can win just about any race in the 14-race series.
Love, entered in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf and trained by Aidan P. O’Brien, exercises during the morning training session for Breeders’ Cup 2021 on November 2, 2021. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
Meanwhile, Japan’s seven entrants are led by LOVES ONLY YOU, who is in the Filly & Mare Turf. From America’s Best Racing, Loves Only You “has been a world traveler this year and is set to run in her fourth country when she starts in the Filly and Mare Turf. Consistent with 11 top three finishes in 14 career starts, the Japanese classic winner won a Hong Kong Group 1 race two starts back and hasn’t finished worse than top three in any of her 2021 starts – with none coming in a lower level than a Group 2. ”
Trainer Charlie Appleby suggested in no uncertain terms that WALTON STREET would be a marked surprise to threaten in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, meeting a much more difficult field than he did at Woodbine or in recent races.
The trainer has had a big year and does have some contenders at Del Mar. A tough youngster who is well traveled, ALBAHR won the Grade 1 Summer at Woodbine and is a contender in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. But, the trainer’s other entrant in that race, MODERN GAMES, is a bit more tractable and has a ‘bit more class’ and tactical speed.
SPACE BLUES and MASTER OF THE SEA are Appleby’s runners in the Mile and Space Blues will be favoured. “His profile coming in is faultless.”
On Friday in the 2-year-old Breeders’ Cup races there are quality runners in MALAVATH and MIS EN SCENE, but both drew wide posts for the one mile Breeders’ Cup Gilly Turf. CACHET has post three in that race for trainer George Boughey and she comes off a third in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket.
HELLO YOU, post six, is a sizy, grinding type of filly for trainer David Loughnane and she recently won the Group 1 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.
Hello You (inside), entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and Go Bears Go are both trained by David Loughnane. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
The Juvenile Turf Sprint has lured TWILIGHT JET (Ire) who has made a nice impression at Del Mar. This is a quick colt with 10 races this year and he drew the rail post for the five-furlong dash. GO BEARS GO, VERTIGINOUS, HIERARCHY, and ARMOR are also in the Juvenile Turf Sprint
In the Juvenile Turf, arguably the best horse in the field is DUBAWI LEGEND but he was stuck with post 14 for trainer Hugo Palmer.
The SPORTING LIFE also reviews some of the European horses in Breeders’ Cup here.
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