Breeders' Cup Feature -- Friday storylines, early observations

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.

I'll start with Friday's action and Saturday's races will be posted Thursday.

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.

Princess of Sylmar is the queen of American racing, notching her fourth

consecutive Grade 1 victory with a convincing two-length score over dual

champion Royal Delta in the September 28 Beldame. She could earn Horse of the Year

honors with a Distaff victory and losses by Game On Dude (Classic) and Wise Dan

(Mile).

Royal Delta is the two-time defending champ, leading wire to wire last year

at Santa Anita, and probably wasn't cranked for her best in the Beldame -- the

five-year-old mare will be making her career finale in the Distaff. She's

bounced back from previous setbacks with sterling performances.

Champion two-year-old filly Beholder enters in razor-sharp form for trainer

Richard Mandella, posting two superb wins following a four-month freshening this

summer, and will be the one to catch with Gary Stevens.

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 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. Diamond

Bachelor and Giovanni Boldini are nice colts, but they're likely headed to the

Juvenile.

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.