Breeders Cup Preview – ‘Future Stars Friday’

Breeders Cup Preview – Churchill Downs – Friday 2nd November.

The first-ever “Future Stars” card kicks off the 35th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, back at Churchill Downs for the first time since 2011 and the ninth time overall. The nine races for older horses will be run Saturday.

Tips and previews:

Race 5 – Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint – Turf 

The Europeans have a really strong hand here. Take out a minor blip at Glorious Goodwood and Soldier’s Call (2) has shown progressive form. He beat Queen of Bermuda (11) in a Group 3 at Chantilly and then had a two and a half-length success over Well Done Fox (3) in the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster. His usual front running tactics were employed in The Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on ‘Arc day. He was only reeled in late, losing by a head. It will be interesting to see how quick he is compared to Wes Ward’s Shang Shang Shang (7). The twice-raced filly has not raced since wiring The Group 2 Queen Mary field at Royal Ascot in June. At the winning line, he only had a nose to spare over Pocket Dynamo (12) who has run with credit since.

Tip: Soldier’s Call (win)

Race 6 – Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies – Turf

Newspaperofrecord, an Irish bred filly from the Chad Brown barn absolutely decimated her rivals in both her career starts thus far. Distance will be no problem for her and neither will the turf course. Concrete Rose has also been impressive thus far in her 2 for 2 career, including winning a Grade 2 last time out. Both East, who is by the great Frankel and is unbeaten in two starts overseas, and Lily’s Candle, who won three of her last four (including a Group:1) in France, both get the proverbial “dark horse” tags in this race as either could run well.

Tip: Newspaperofrecord (win) East (win and place)

Race 7 – Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies – Dirt

Bellafina (10) has been too good for the fillies in California winning a couple of Grade 1’s and a Grade 2 by an aggregate of 15 lengths. She was stepped up to today’s distance for the first time in a The Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita five weeks ago and beat Vibrance (3) easily. Although she has early speed, she stalked nicely last time and plots to get a similar tracking trip here. She has a look of a worthy favourite. Like Bellafina, Jaywalk (7) is on a four timer. Her latest success in Belmont’s Grade 1 Frizette was her best to date. The worry with her is she may be part of a heated pace duel with Vibrance (3), Splashy Kisses (9) and Serengeti Empress (2). Sippican Harbor (8) improved off her debut to slam maidens. In her last start, she upset Saratoga’s Grade 1 Spinaway field by two lengths. 

Tip: Sippican Harbor (win) 

Race 8 – Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf – Colts & Geldings

Following the earlier turf races there may be clear evidence of how rain-affected the grass is and if there is possibly an anti inside bias. If the latter is the case, Anthony Van Dyck (14) who on paper is drawn in the coffin box may not be so disadvantaged. He won back to back graded stakes before running two fine efforts in defeat in Grade 1 company. The latest was when third, albeit at a safe distance to top juvenile Too Darn Hot in The Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket last month. He is Aidan O’Brien’s only entrant here which is probably a tip in itself. Godolphin’s Line of Duty (5) is a very progressive colt. Charlie Appleby shipped him to Chantilly for a Group 3 last month. The home team have plenty of strength in depth in their ranks. Forty Under (4) narrowly beat Somelikeithotbrown (7) to win a Grade 3 at Belmont last month. Likewise King of Speed (11) reeled in Much Better (3) in a stake at Santa Anita last time. Current (12) nosed out Henley’s Joy (6) with War of Will (10) a close up fourth in a Grade 3 at Keeneland last month. All are pretty similar based on speed figures. 

Tip: Anthony Van Dyck (win) 

Race 9 – Breeders Cup Juvenile – Dirt

A really strong renewal on paper. A usual, this is the first meeting of two year olds from the top jurisdictions of New York, California, Kentucky and Florida. Chad Brown got Good Magic to improve off his Grade 1 Champagne defeat to win this last year. His Complexity (6) won the very same event at Belmont, maintaining his unbeaten record in the process. He went wire to wire, setting quick fractions in the process, beating fellow second time starter Code of Honor (11) by three lengths. He’s definitely near or at the top of any shortlist. Bob Baffert’s Game Winner (9) is unbeaten in a trio of career starts. His latest effort was his best, drawing off to beat Gunmetal Gray (12) by four lengths. He is the morning live favourite. 

Tip: Game Winner (win)