Breeders' Cup Friday Preview

The eyes of the equine world will be fixed firmly on Del Mar racecourse tonight as some of the most talented horses on the planet take each other on at the Breeders’ Cup. There are plenty of British and Irish challengers this year and Aidan O’Brien sends a strong squad across the Atlantic in pursuit of yet more Group 1 glory. The main action gets underway tonight with the Juvenile Fillies’ race and you can find out my fancy for all the big races below.

 

September will love the firm ground at Del Mar.

21.25-JUVENILE FILLIES’ TURF

The maestro of Ballydoyle looks to hold a strong hand here and Ryan Moore has chosen to ride Happily. However, that filly has yet to encounter ground faster than good and the firm going at Del Mar has to be a slight concern. Seamie Heffernan will partner September, a filly for whom there are no worries regarding the ground, and this regally bred daughter of Deep Impact could be the one to be on. She hasn’t been handed the best of draws in stall 10 so Seamie will need to be at his best, but at least she is proven on fast going.

She won a Listed race at Ascot easily on her only start on good to firm and she was only narrowly beaten by Laurens on good last time at Newmarket. Her dam, Peeping Fawn, was a winner on good to firm too so on pedigree it is a case of the faster the ground the better. Although Happily did beat her quite comfortably the last two times they met, the ground was soft on both occasions. September came out on top when they met on yielding and she can turn the tables on Happily tonight back on a sound surface at odds of 5/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SEPTEMBER @ 5/1

Giant Expectations could spring a surprise back up in trip.

 22.05-DIRT MILE

This is not a race that European horses have fared well in since its inception back in 2007. There are no British or Irish contenders this year and it looks a tricky puzzle to try and solve. One clue could be that only two 3yos have won in 10 renewals, so it might pay to concentrate on the older horses. 4yos Mor Spirit and Sharp Azteca are at the head of the market, but at bigger odds I think Giant Expectations could go well.

He is 1/2 at Del Mar, winning a Grade 2 here over 7f on his penultimate start before disappointing in a Grade 1 when dropped back to 6f last time out. He seemed to be only hitting top gear as he hit the line when winning here over 7f so he should be suited by stepping back up in trip. Hopefully they go quickly up front and give this fast finisher a pace to aim at, and if they do he could stay on late and reward each way support at 25/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: GIANT EXPECTATIONS E/W @ 25/1

James Garfield could give Frankie a fourth win in this race.

22.50-JUVENILE TURF

British and Irish trained horses have a fine record in this turf race and Aidan O’Brien leads the way with three wins since 2007. Frankie Dettori has also won it three times and both men will be looking to add to their tallies tonight. O’Brien fires just one bullet in Mendelssohn but I don’t think he represents much value at 11/2 given his achievements on the track. The one I like is the George Scott trained son of Exceed And Excel James Garfield and he will be ridden by that man Frankie Dettori.

This fella scored his first win at Group Level last time when beating Invincible Army over 6f at Newbury. He steps up in class and trip here, but I think he will handle this new distance judging by how he finished off his race at Newbury. He is related to a couple of 8f/10f winners too, so his pedigree suggests he should be fine. He will relish the forecast firm ground and he has a nice draw in stall 7. At odds of 13/2 James Garfield can give Frankie a 4th win in this and he is our NAP of the night.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: JAMES GARFIELD @ 13/2 NAP

Abel Tasman looks a big price at 8/1.

 23.35-DISTAFF

This is another dirt race that has proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for British and Irish horses with none winning since it was first run back in 1984. Mike Smith and William Mott have five wins each and they both look to hold strong hands in this year’s renewal. Elate is the favourite for Mott with Jose Velazquez booked, but we think Abel Tasman can uphold the form that saw her beat Elate in a 9f Grade 1 at Saratoga back in July.

This four time Grade 1 winner probably would have won last time out had she not got to the front as soon as she did. She was a winner here over 7f on her debut so she will have no issues with the track and she is unbeaten at 9f. Her trainer Bob Baffert has yet to win this race, but Abel Tasman could be the filly to break his duck and at odds of 8/1 she definitely represents each way value in what looks a pretty open race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: ABEL TASMAN E/W @ 8/1