|
|
BREEDERS' CUP FEATURE OCTOBER 24, 2013 Friday storylines, early observations by James Scully Breeders' Cup pre-entries were released on Wednesday and I will take an early look at the major storylines surrounding each race, providing some personal thoughts as well. Friday's races are below and click here for Saturday's races. Distaff The Distaff drew only six runners but is deep with star power: Princess of Sylmar, Royal Delta and Beholder highlight a dynamite field. The 1 1/8-mile event is one of the best races of the weekend.
My take: Princess of Sylmar was expected to skip the Breeders' Cup -- she needed to be supplemented for $100,000 and had the Eclipse Award for champion three-year-old filly locked up if she stayed at home -- but her connections proved to be ultimate sportsmen in accepting the challenge; kudos to King of Prussia Stable. I won't be disappointed to see Princess of Sylmar prove best, but am leaning toward the speed. It's a shame only six horses were entered and the short field favors Beholder -- she loves Santa Anita and can control the early action unless Mike Smith attempts to sacrifice Royal Delta. Princess of Sylmar should be positioned to take advantage if Beholder falters on the front end. Juvenile Turf Bobby's Kitten, named for the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, will be a solid favorite in the Juvenile Turf. Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey have seven Breeders' Cup entrants, including six by leading sire Kitten's Joy, and Bobby's Kitten owns the best chance among the group. A smart maiden winner at Saratoga two starts back, the bay colt thrashed stakes rivals in the October 6 Pilgrim at Belmont Park, scoring by a widening 6 1/4-length margin. Aidan O'Brien entered Irish Group 3 winner Wilshire Boulevard and Polytrack stakes victor Giovanni Boldini, and graded stakes winners Bashart and Poker Player have a chance in the large field. But this year's Juvenile Turf doesn't figure to be remembered for its depth. My take: Bobby's Kitten looks like the real deal at this stage in his career and doesn't appear to be facing strong competition. He's very imposing. Dirt Mile Previous editions of the Dirt Mile were quickly forgotten -- the race is better known for upsets than quality fields -- but Grade 1 winners Verrazano and Goldencents provide some sizzle this year. Verrazano has sustained his only losses at 1 1/4 miles (unplaced finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Travers) and is perfect from six starts at shorter distances, winning by a combined 35+ lengths including a 16-length romp in his lone attempt at a mile. The fast and talented colt is trained by Todd Pletcher. Goldencents should find the two-turn mile distance to his liking. He rolled to a comfortable victory in the Santa Anita Derby earlier this year but his efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness are throw-outs -- the speedy colt is a middle-distance specialist. His connections gave him every chance to excel sprinting with three consecutive starts against top-class competition on the West Coast, but Goldencents finished second every time as the favorite. The Doug O'Neill charge possesses a home-field advantage over his main rival. Alpha, Brujo de Olleros, Fed Biz, Golden Ticket, Hymn Book and Pants on Fire add further depth to this nice field. My take: Verrazano and Goldencents are very dangerous, and I'll probably spread even deeper in the multi-rage wagers. This is the best Dirt Mile field in its seven-year history. Golden Ticket is a horse that intrigues me. Runner-up in the Stephen Foster two starts back, Golden Ticket posted a runaway victory against listed rivals before receiving a tune-up over the track in the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again on September 28, finishing fourth behind Classic contender Mucho Macho Man. His BRIS Speed ratings (107-108-104) are strong and the Grade 1 winner should relish the cut back in trip. Juvenile Fillies Turf My Conquestadory leads the conversation in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Unbeaten in two career starts, she'll be deserving favorite but must face a deep group of domestic and international challengers. My Conquestadory crushed male rivals in her career debut, the Grade 2 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, and overcame repeated trouble when posting a courageous score in the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Keeneland's Polytrack. Her connections considered the Juvenile Fillies (where a win would guarantee championship honors) but opted for turf after watching her train on the main track at Churchill Downs. She could still earn the Eclipse Award with a sharp victory in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and a favorable outcome elsewhere (needs at least a minor upset in Juvenile Fillies). Trainer Chad Brown, a past winner of this event (Maram in 2008), brings a small armada with four of the 12 runners in the main body of the field. Two are stakes-winning Ramsey homebreds (Granny Mc's Kitten and Kitten Kaboodle), and Testa Rossi captured her stateside debut in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park. Local star Clenor, who opened her racing career in Europe before being sent to Doug O'Neill in Southern California, is unbeaten in three U.S. starts, including an odds-on victory in the October 6 Surfer Girl at Santa Anita. The international contingent appears very legitimate. Chriselliam and Vorda both exit Group 1 triumphs in England and Al Thakhira is unbeaten in two career attempts, posting a convincing 3 1/4-length victory over Group 2 rivals at Newmarket on October 12. My take: Won't dismiss the European runners, but My Conquestadory looks extremely tough to beat at first glance. She's performed like a supreme talent among two-year-olds and will be a "safe" pick given the wide-open nature of the rest of the field. I'll take a closer look when post positions are drawn and the Europeans are on the grounds. Even if you land on the favorite, the potential will be there to cash a nice exotic ticket. Marathon The Marathon serves as the first of 14 races and often features wild results. Inaugurated in 2008, the winning payouts have been $26.80, $14.80, $23.20, $85.80, and $36.40. In typical fashion, the 1 3/4-mile race appears wide open at first glance. It's mostly an uninspiring field of 10, but Argentine invader Ever Rider qualified via the same route as last year's upsetter, Calidoscopio, who was retired following a remarkable victory in the Brooklyn Handicap this summer. Perhaps this event could turn into a South American staple. My take: This race offers little appeal and could be carded as an optional claiming event on Thursday at Santa Anita. Ever Rider doesn't look bad on paper, winning two of his last three starts, but I'll wait to offer a more definitive opinion. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
