Breeders’ Cup Close Up | Saturday – Day 2

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

First race of day two has a big field. 6 European invaders are in here. Pounced will be making her 4th career start and ran 2nd in the Prix Jean Lagardere (GI) at Longchamp. Viscount Nelson comes in off a layoff. He has a win at a mile and ran 2nd in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. King Ledley is from Ireland and has had the most races with 8. He ran 3rd in the EBF Futurity at the Curragh in Ireland. He will make his first start at a mile. Awesome Act tried a Grade I for the first time in his career last out, but missed the break and was not a factor. Buzzword for Godolphin has raced in Grad I stakes in his two previous starts to this one. He finished right behind Pounce in the Prix Jean Lagardere (GI). Pounced, Buzzword, King Ledley and Awesome Act will get Lasix for the first time. The Euros look strong in this race, and would use them accordingly. The 3 American horses that look decent are Becky’s Kitten ran 2nd behind Bridgetown. Gallant Son is a big price and has never been worst then 3rd place, faces a class test. The Euros look good here. This looks to be a wide open and race, and value can be found.

Horses to use – Pounced, Awesome Act, Buzzword and King Ledley

Top Pick – Buzzword and Pounced

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

This is large field and a very competitive field to say the least. Desert Code is back and is the defending champion, he will be making his final career start in this race. Last year we said use and he delivered. Comes into race off the same campaign as last year and draws a good outside post. The filly Diamondrella takes on the boys in this race. She is a classy girl and will come with a rush late.Lord Shanakill is a 3-year-old  Euro who has raced 4 times this yea, all Grade I Stakes races. He will be getting Lasix for the first time. Noble Court comes in off a 2-month layoff. He has had 2 races on turf and has a win and a place. He will be coming late. He sports a win at the distance on this track. Comes in well rested and has good works. Gotta Have Her is another filly trying the boys. She has 5 wins on Santa Anita’s Turf course and will make a late rally. Delta Storm makes his 2nd start off a layoff and ran behind Gayego and the probable spring favorite Zensational

Horses to Use – Noble Court, Lord Shanakill, Diamondrella, Desert Code and Delta Storm.

Top Pick – Noble Court

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Zensational will be the one to catch from the rail. He has had a huge year and faces the best field he has ever been in. Baffert seems quite confident in him. He has been working very fast.  Fatal Bullet ran 2nd in last years sprint at Santa Anita to Midnight Lute and is fast. Gayego will make a strong late rally. He ran 2nd in the Godolphin Mile and is 4 for 4 at the distance. Fleeting Spirit is also back for another try in this years sprint. He will be making his 3rd start off the bench and has run 2nd in his last races, which were both Grade I’s and large fields. Crown of Thorns is lightly races and he will be making his 3rd start for Richard mandella. Ge ran 2nd to Gayego in his last race in the Ancient Title. Captain Candyman makes his 4th start off a layoff and ran 2nd to Fatal Bullet. He will make a late run again.

Horses to use – Gayego, Fleeting Spirit, Crown of Thorns, Capt Candyman Can

Top Pick –

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Lookin At Lucky is Bob Bafferts undefeated 2-Year-Old colt and and will break from post 13. Bullet Bob likes his horse chances a lot. I do as well. D’ Funnybone will make his 1st start on a synthetic surface and will be stretching out for Richard Dutrow. Horse has won his last 2 races by over 10 lengths. Vale of York is 1 of 4 Euros entered in the race. He has kept good company in Europe, running 1 and 2nd in a Grade I and Grade II Race. He will get Lasix for the 1st time. Beethoven and Alfred Nobel are both Team Tabor horses and both will debut on a synthetic track, while stretching out for the 1st time.  Noble’s Promise beat 14 in his last start, the Breeder’s Futurity and Keeneland. He should be a square price He has 3 wins from 4 starts.

Horses to use – Lookin at Lucky, Noble’s Promise and Vale of York

Top Pick – Lookin At Lucky

Breeders Cup Mile

Goldikova is back to defend her title. She is in superb form and has 3 Grade I Stakes races this year. Her last race for this, she finished 3rd by a half-length. She adds Lasix for the 1st time. She looks good in here again. Delegator is a Euro who has run behind top rated Euros all year, such as Rip Van Winkle, Mastercraftsman and right behind super horse Sea the Stars. He will add Lasix for the Mile. This horse poses a threat to Goldikova for top honors. Zacinto is lightly races, but he has been rock solid this year, finishing behind Rip Van Winkle and Delegator. He is a 3-year-old. And a big price will be Gladiatorus who won the Dubai Duty Free (GI) back in March. He has 8 wins at a mile and will be making his 4th start off a layoff.

Horses to use – Goldikova, Delegator and Zacinto

Top Pick – Goldikova

Breeders Cup Pro-Ride Mile

Mastercraftman is the morning line favorite coming off an awesome win over a poly track in a Grade III race at Dundalk. He has won 7 times in 11 career starts and has class. He races behind super horse Sea the Stars. He lost by a length to him in the Juddmonte International. He will make his 4th start off the layoff, and will cutback to a mile after running in long races all year. Midshipman, last year BC Juvenile winner has 3 wins in 4 starts on a synthetic surface. He will make his first start since September. Both are 3-year-olds, and both look good in here. Bullsbay comes in off a layoff. He was the winner of the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga. He has run well on synthetic tracks and has solid back figures. Also has a win at a mile. He has been running longer, but cuts back in this race.

Horses to use – Mastercraftsman,  Midshipman and Bullsbay

Breeders’ Cup Turf

This is possibly the toughest race of the day. A big 14 horse field with a lot of questions. Zenyatta takes on the boys for the first time and puts her undefeated record on the line. She is going for it with her huge stride. I think she has a shot, but faces the strongest field yet. Quality Road, the horse I was very high on after his maiden win will go for glory as well in the BC Classic. He has never been on a synthetic track. He has a big stride and a big horse. He can win, but it’s an unknown factor as to how he will handle the Pro-Ride. The same can be said for Summer Bird. He has won Travers (GI) and Jockey Gold Cup (GI) tomorrow will be his class test. Colonel John and Richards Kid come out of the same race, the Goodwood (GI). Both have wins on the Pro-Ride and are will come from off the pace. Gio Ponti the top rated American turf horse is back on the Pro-Ride and sports a win on synthetics. He has a strong late kick, and will try to come from behind. Rip Van Winkle is one of 2 European horses that will run in the race. The other is Twice Over. Rip Van Winkle has run against top European horses all year, and that includes super horse Sea the Stars and Fame and Glory. His last race was a win in the Queen Elizabeth (GI) at Ascot. It was a small field, but ran on strongly to defeat Zacinto and Delegator, both of which will run in the BC Turf Mile. There has been a rumor floating around that his foot might be an issue, how much stock to put in that is a question mark. Twice Over is an upsart horse who has won 3 straight races and his las beating a large field of 14 horses in the Champion Stakes (GI) at Newmarket. He will be making his 4th start of his form cycle and is sitting on a possible big race. He defeated the top rated filly Sariska. Last year he ran 3rf to the Breeders’ Cup Classic 1 and 2nd place finishers, Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator. He is also a 4 time winner a 1 ¼-miles. Both of these Euros are dangerous and should be used. The classy and all around solid Einstein is a morning 12/1 shot who is a winner over the Pro-Ride. At 12/1 you can’t ignore him. He is a classy horse.

Horses to use – Twice Over, Einstein, Zenyatta, Rip Van Winkle, Quality Road

First race of day two has a big field. 6 European invaders are in here.  Pounced will be making his 4th career start and ran 2nd in the Prix Jean Lagardere (GI) at Longchamp.  Viscount Nelson comes in off a layoff.  He has a win at a mile and ran 2nd in the Champagne Stakes (GII) at Doncaster.  King Ledley is from Ireland and has had the most races with 8.  He ran 3rd in the EBF Futurity at the Curragh in Ireland. He will make his first start at a mile.  Awesome Act tried a Grade I for the first time in his career last out, but missed the break and was not a factor.  Buzzword for Godolphin has raced in Grade I stakes in his two previous starts to this one. He finished right behind Pounce in the Prix Jean Lagardere (GI).  Pounced, Buzzword, King Ledley and Awesome Act will get Lasix for the first time.  The Euros look strong in this race, and would use them accordingly. The 3 American horses that look decent are Becky’s Kitten ran 2nd behind Bridgetown.  Interactif has won back-to-back Grade III stakes races. Steps up to face better company.  Gallant Son is a big price and has never been worse then 3rd place, faces a class test. The Euros look good here.

Horses to use – Pounced, Viscount Nelson and Buzzword

This is large field and a very competitive field to say the least.  Desert Code is back and is the defending champion.  He will be making his final career start in this race.  Last year we said use and he delivered.  Comes into race off the same campaign as last year and draws a good outside post.  The filly Diamondrella takes on the boys in this race. She has been great this year and will come with a rush late.  She is making her 3rd start off that layoof and has a fabulous late kick. She will make a strong bid. Lord Shanakill is a 3-year-old  Euro who has raced 4 times this year, all Grade I Stakes races.  He will be getting Lasix for the first time.  Noble Court comes in off a 2-month layoff.  He has had 2 races on turf and has a win and a place.  He will be coming late.  He sports a win at the distance on this track. Comes in well rested and has good works.  Gotta Have Her is another filly trying the boys.  She has 5 wins on Santa Anita’s Turf course and will make a late rally.  Delta Storm makes his 2nd start off a layoff and ran behind Gayego and the probable BC sprint favorite Zensational.  Gotta Have Her is a filly and she is as consistent as they come. She has a solid late kick and is 4 for 4 at this distance.  She rates an chance for an upset at a price.

Horses to Use – Noble Court, Lord Shanakill, Gotta Have Her, Desert Code and Delta Storm.

Top Pick – Noble Court and Diamondrella

Bomber of the Day – Desert Storm Again- Did Not Show Up

Zensational will be the one to catch from the rail. He has had a huge year and faces the best field he has ever been in. Baffert seems quite confident in him. He has been working very fast.  Fatal Bullet ran 2nd in last years sprint at Santa Anita to Midnight Lute and is fast.  Gayego will make a strong late rally. He ran 2nd in the Godolphin Mile and is 4 for 4 at the distance.  Fleeting Spirit is also back for another try in this years sprint. He will be making his 3rd start off the bench and has run 2nd in his last races, which were both Grade I’s and large fields.  Crown of Thorns is lightly raced and he will be making his 3rd start for Richard Mandella.  He ran 2nd to Gayego in his last race in the Ancient Title.  He will be making his 3rd start off they layoff, and promises to be a good price.  Capt. Candyman Can makes his 4th start off a layoff and ran 2nd to Fatal Bullet. He will make a late run again.

Horses to use – Gayego, Fleeting Spirit, Zensational

Lookin At Lucky is Bob Bafferts undefeated 2-Year-Old colt and and will break from post 13.  Bullet Bob likes his horse chances a lot. I do as well.  D’ Funnybone will make his 1st start on a synthetic surface and will be stretching out for Richard Dutrow. Horse has won his last 2 races by over 10 lengths.  Vale of York is 1 of 4 Euros entered in the race. He has kept good company in Europe, running 1 and 2nd in a Grade I and Grade II Race. He will get Lasix for the 1st time.  Beethoven and Alfred Nobel are both Team Tabor horses and both will debut on a synthetic track, while stretching out for the 1st time. Noble’s Promise beat 14 in his last start, the Breeder’s Futurity and Keeneland. He should be a square price He has 3 wins from 4 starts.

Horses to use – Lookin at Lucky and Noble’s Promise

Top Pick – Lookin At Lucky

Goldikova is back to defend her title. She is in superb form and has 3 Grade I Stakes races this year.  Her last race for this, she finished 3rd by a half-length. She adds Lasix for the 1st time. She looks good in here again.  Delegator is a Euro who has run behind top rated Euros all year, such as Rip Van Winkle, Mastercraftsman and right behind super horse Sea the Stars. He will add Lasix for the Mile. This horse poses a threat to Goldikova for top honors. Zacinto is lightly races, but he has been rock solid this year, finishing behind Rip Van Winkle and Delegator.  He is a 3-year-old. And a big price will be Gladiatorus who won the Dubai Duty Free (GI) back in March. He has 8 wins at a mile and will be making his 4th start off a layoff.  Ferneley comes in off the layoff, after running a strong 2nd to Ventura in the Woodbine Mile.  He will offer value at a price. Goldikova is a 3 time Grade I winner this year and Europe and will look to Repeat as the BC Turf Mile Champion.

Horses to use – Goldikova, Delegator, Zacinto

Top Pick – Goldikova

Mastercraftsman is the morning line favorite coming off an awesome win over a poly track in a Grade III race at Dundalk.  He has won 7 times in 11 career starts and has class. He races behind super horse Sea the Stars.  He lost by a length to him in the Juddmonte International.  He will make his 4th start off the layoff, and will cutback to a mile after running in long races all year.  Midshipman, last year BC Juvenile winner has 3 wins in 4 starts on a synthetic surface.  He will make his first start since September.  Both are 3-year-olds, and both look good in here.  Bullsbay comes in off a layoff.  He was the winner of the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga.  He has run well on synthetic tracks and has solid back figures.  Also has a win at a mile.  He has been running longer, but cuts back in this race.

Horses to use – Mastercraftsman and  Midshipman

This is possibly the toughest race of the day.  A big 14 horse field with a lot of questions.  Super Zenyatta takes on the boys for the first time and puts her undefeated record on the line.  She is going for it with her huge stride. I think she has a shot, but faces the strongest field yet.  Quality Road, is raw talent and I have been very high on him from the start. He will go for glory as well in the BC Classic. He has never been on a synthetic track. He has a big stride and a big horse. He can win, but it’s an unknown factor as to how he will handle the Pro-Ride.  I will be rooting for him. The same can be said for Summer Bird.  He has won Travers (GI) and Jockey Gold Cup (GI) tomorrow will be his class test.  Colonel John and Richards Kid come out of the same race, the Goodwood (GI). Both have wins on the Pro-Ride and are will come from off the pace.  Gio Ponti the top rated American turf horse is back on the Pro-Ride and sports a win on synthetics. He has a strong late kick, and will try to come from behind. Rip Van Winkle is one of 2 European horses that will run in the race. The other is Twice Over. Rip Van Winkle has run against top European horses all year, and that includes super horse Sea the Stars and Fame and Glory. His last race was a win in the Queen Elizabeth (GI) at Ascot. It was a small field, but ran on strongly to defeat Zacinto and Delegator, both of which will run in the BC Turf Mile. There has been a rumor floating around that his foot might be an issue, how much stock to put in that is a question mark. I am a little concerned about it.  Twice Over is an upstart horse who has won 3 straight races and his las beating a large field of 14 horses in the Champion Stakes (GI) at Newmarket. He will be making his 4th start of his form cycle and is sitting on a possible big race. He defeated the top rated filly Sariska and highly the highly rated Fame and Glory.  Last year he ran 3rd in the St. James Palace Stakes (GI) at Ascot to the Breeders’ Cup Classic 1st and 2nd place finishers, Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator. He is also a 4 time winner a 1 ¼-miles.  Both of these Euros are dangerous and should be used. The classy and all around solid Einstein is a morning 12/1 shot who is a winner over the Pro-Ride. At 12/1 you can’t ignore him.  He is a classy horse.  Girolamo is one of two Godolphin horses. The other is Regal Ransom. I think Girolamo stretching out and is a dangerous horse.  Should be good with a 1 1/4-miles.  He is coming off back to back strong wins and New York and will be making his 4th start off the layoff.  A user at a real nice price.

Horses to use – Rip Van Winkle,  Twice Over, Einstein, Zenyatta, Quality Road, Gio Ponti and Girolamo

Top Pick – Twice Over