Guess who showed up this morning......The champ has arrived :aktion033
[h=1]LIVE FEED Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup.[/h]
Drefong worked 4f in 48 3/5 under Martin Garcia Monday.
Dirt Mile contender Giant Expectations playing some Halloween tricks on the track.
Lady Eli comes in to give Cherie a kiss back at the barn this am.
[h=1]Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2017 Preview.[/h]
[h=1]Friday Race of the Day - Breeders' Cup Distaff 2017.[/h]
[h=1]Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filles Turf 2017 Preview.[/h]
| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Classic, $6 million, 1 1/4 miles, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Arrogate | Bob Baffert | The question is whether he can produce his "A" race at Del Mar. If he can, he'll win, and win decisively | 2-1 |
| 2 | War Decree | Aidan O'Brien | Not as accomplished as stablemate Churchill, but it's intriguing he recently won a synthetic prep for this | 30-1 |
| 3 | Win the Space | George Papaprodromou | Was an improved third in the Awesome Again; likes minor shares, was eased at 74-1 in last year's Classic | 30-1 |
| 4 | War Story | Jorge Navarro | He actually has some ability, but has proven time and again that he is terribly overmatched at this level | 50-1 |
| 5 | Gun Runner | Steve Asmussen | In raging form since his 2nd to Arrogate in Dubai, but note he is 0 for 3 in his career going 10 furlongs | 8-5 |
| 6 | Mubtaahij | Bob Baffert | Won the Awesome Again off a long layoff in his first start for barn and with blinkers; still must improve | 20-1 |
| 7 | Churchill | Aidan O'Brien | Signaled a return to top form very recently at Ascot; dirt is a huge question, as is this 10 furlong distance | 12-1 |
| 8 | West Coast | Bob Baffert | This year's best 3-year-old deserves a shot at this. Nevertheless, he faces a much tougher group of elders | 8-1 |
| 9 | Gunnevera | Antonio Sano | Surprised when second to West Coast in the Travers, but was soundly beaten, and is overmatched here | 30-1 |
| 10 | Pavel | Doug O'Neill | This 3-year-old is long on talent, and very short on experience. Expect he'll be a major force next year | 20-1 |
| 11 | Collected | Bob Baffert | Upset Arrogate in Del Mar's Pacific Classic going 10 furlongs and is 8 for 11 in his career; he's legitimate | 6-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Distaff, $2 million, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares 3-years-old and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Champagne Room | Pete Eurton | Into deep end after sharp comeback, worked super since, also worked well summer Del Mar, could hit the board | 15-1 |
| 2 | Stellar Wind | John Sadler | Light campaign 2017 unfolded to perfection, 3 for 3 Grade 1's, could tuck into cozy trip sitting second, 97-day layoff | 5-2 |
| 3 | Mopotism | Doug O'Neill | Connections never bashful to take shots major races, but G2-placed filly tough to endorse on basic handicapping | 20-1 |
| 4 | Abel Tasman | Bob Baffert | "Ran off" in most recent outings, workouts by Kentucky Oaks winner suggest that won't happen again | 6-1 |
| 5 | Elate | Bill Mott | Blossoming at right time, training super, impressive G1's recent pair, Hall of Fame trainer won this race five times | 3-1 |
| 6 | Forever Unbridled | Dallas Stewart | Mutliple G1-winning road warrior won seven races on seven tracks, finished third this race last year, 73-day layoff | 5-1 |
| 7 | Paradise Woods | Richard Mandella | Likely pacesetter returned to form last out, trained super Del Mar main track all summer, legit threat on front end | 4-1 |
| 8 | Romantic Vision | Rusty Arnold | Career finale for Lemon Drop Kid 5yo who scored first G1 victory last time out on "sloppy" racetrack at Keeneland | 10-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Turf, $4 million, 1 1/2 mile turf, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Talismanic | Andre Fabre | Consistent in France for a barn that knows how to win Breeders' Cup races; seems a cut below, however | 20-1 |
| 2 | Bullards Alley | Tim Glyshaw | Ran away with the Canadian International and got a massive Beyer, but on a swampy course at 42-1 | 20-1 |
| 3 | Highland Reel | Aidan O'Brien | Stole this race last year when he walked on the lead early; might rebound on iffy efforts in his last two | 5-1 |
| 4 | Decorated Knight | Roger Charlton | Multiple Group 1 winner is an unknown at 12 furlongs, but this should be a better fit for him than the Mile | 12-1 |
| 5 | Ulysses | Michael Stoute | He's better this year than last year, when he finished fourth in this race against a deeper overall field | 3-1 |
| 6 | Cliffs of Moher | Aidan O'Brien | Epsom Derby runner-up has found the going much more difficult against older horses; still intriguing | 15-1 |
| 7 | Itsinthepost | Jeff Mullins | Arguably California's best turf male this year, but must raise his game to be competitive with these | 15-1 |
| 8 | Bigger Picture | Mike Maker | Been a great claim and his form is good; still, he got a dream setup when he won the United Nations | 20-1 |
| 9 | Seventh Heaven | Aidan O'Brien | Aside from a romping win three starts back over questionable company, she was better last year at 3 | 20-1 |
| 10 | Fanciful Angel | Chad Brown | Finished second to Beach Patrol in the Joe Hirsch and the Arlington Million in his first two U.S. outings | 12-1 |
| 11 | Hunt | Phil D'Amato | Won two Grade 2 stakes on the Dmr course over the summer, but was fortunate to win the second one | 20-1 |
| 12 | Beach Patrol | Chad Brown | His Joe Hirsch Turf Classic was the best effort by a U.S. turf male so far this year in a legitimately run race | 9-2 |
| 13 | Sadler's Joy | Tom Albertrani | Won the Sword Dancer two starts back, and maybe he'll benefit from a tighter-turned turf course | 15-1 |
| 14 | Oscar Performance | Brian Lynch | Certainly our most accomplished 3yo turfer this year, but was found wanting against elders in the Hirsch | 12-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, $2 million, 1 1/8 miles turf, fillies and mares 3 & up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | War Flag | Shug McGaughey | Beat good ones in Dacita and Grand Jete in her Flower Bowl upset; would figure to want more distance | 15-1 |
| 2 | Senga | Pascal Bary | Upset the French Oaks three starts back, but probed unable to validate that score in her last two outings | 20-1 |
| 3 | Birdie Gold | Gary Mandella | Peruvian Group 1 "Win and You're In" winner is likely in for a rude awakening against this kind of horse | 30-1 |
| 4 | Zipessa | Michael Stidham | Her First Lady upset was a surprise in part because speedy mare successfully came from off the pace | 20-1 |
| 5 | Wuheida | Charlie Appleby | The Queen Elizabeth II was to be her first U.S. target, but she missed that race due to a minor foot issue | 20-1 |
| 6 | Cambodia | Tom Proctor | Won two stakes over the summer on the Del Mar course, but against lesser company than she meets here | 15-1 |
| 7 | Dacita | Chad Brown | Rarely fails to fire, but even though she's a Gr. 1 winner at the distance, she might prefer more ground | 5-1 |
| 8 | Grand Jete | Chad Brown | Got bored on the lead in Flower Bowl, but was best when second in Beverly D. two back; live in this spot | 6-1 |
| 9 | Lady Eli | Chad Brown | Amazing mare is as good as she ever was, which says a lot; she's also a huge sentimental root for, too | 5-2 |
| 10 | Queen's Trust | Michael Stoute | Nosed Lady Eli to win this race last year, but has managed just one well-beaten third from five 2017 starts | 10-1 |
| 11 | Nezwaah | Roger Varian | Showed little when fifth as the favorite in the E.P. Taylor on a deep course; looks in too tough in this spot | 20-1 |
| 12 | Avenge | Richard Mandella | Wire arrived at the right time in her Rodeo Drive victory; still appears to be below her sharp 2016 form | 15-1 |
| 13 | Goodyearforroses | Richard Baltas | Was empty at even money when eighth in Rodeo Drive; close to Lady Eli in the Gamely in May, though | 20-1 |
| 14 | Rhododendron | Aidan O'Brien | With the exception of uncharacteristic duds two and three starts back, her form is excellent; contender | 8-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Mile, $2 million, one mile turf, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Midnight Storm | Phil D'Amato | Third in this last year, and I'm glad he chose this instead of the Dirt Mile as he is at his best on the turf | 10-1 |
| 2 | Heart to Heart | Brian Lynch | Admirable veteran always gives a game account; fact is, however, he has never beaten this kind of horse | 12-1 |
| 3 | Mr. Roary | George Papaprodromou | Pulled off a big upset to win the Eddie D. on the downhill course; a win here would be a bigger shock | 30-1 |
| 4 | Lancaster Bomber | Aidan O'Brien | Second to World Approval in the WO Mile, though really was no match. Both North American starts good | 15-1 |
| 5 | World Approval | Mark Casse | In career form with two straight Grade 1 scores and is the best U.S. hope here by a considerable margin | 7-2 |
| 6 | Zelzal | Jean-Claude Rouget | Appears to have gone the wrong way this year after a fine 3yo season in 2016; has good class lines, though | 15-1 |
| 7 | Om | Dan Hendricks | Always tries, always picks up a check, but his ceiling is well established and hasn't won in almost two years | 30-1 |
| 8 | Suedois | David O'Meara | One of the few Euro shippers to win here this year, but faces better than he beat in the Shadwell Mile | 12-1 |
| 9 | Home of The Brave | Hugo Palmer | Comes off four straight solid efforts in England, trouble is, one mile doesn't look like what he really wants | 20-1 |
| 10 | Ribchester | Richard Fahey | He's an obvious win candidate off his sharp Euro PPs, but was a little shaky in his last; is he over the top? | 5-2 |
| 11 | Ballagh Rocks | Bill Mott | Third behind Suedois and Heart to Heart in the Shadwell Mile, and that looks like his current ceiling | 20-1 |
| 12 | Roly Poly | Aidan O'Brien | Three-year-old filly's overall form is excellent; last out she beat the filly who came back to beat Ribchester | 8-1 |
| 13 | Blackjackcat | Mark Glatt | Razor-sharp Californian has bullt a four-race win streak, but at the expense of much lesser opposition | 20-1 |
| 14 | Karar | Francis-Henri Graffard | He's like the French version of Home of The Brave - sports a string of solid efforts, distance is a question | 20-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, $1 million, one mile, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Iron Fist | Steve Asmussen | Veteran 5yo sired by Tapit enjoying best season of his career, pace-presser has longshot look from slightly off pace | 12-1 |
| 2 | Giant Expectations | Pete Eurton | Earned spot Dirt Mile via WAYI victory Del Mar sprint, best race was around one turn, his two-turn form is modest | 20-1 |
| 3 | Sharp Azteca | Jorge Navarro | Potential pacesetter, Del Mar main track kind to early-pace types at one mile during summer meet, threat up front | 4-1 |
| 4 | Gato Del Oro | Richard Baltas | Tall order for lightly raced colt, no match twice for Battle of Midway, upside for 'Gato' is he has run well at Del Mar | 30-1 |
| 5 | Awesome Slew | Mark Casse | Late-runner in solid form, yet although won G3 route last season at age 3 perhaps more effective one-turn closer | 8-1 |
| 6 | Mor Spirit | Bob Baffert | Smashing winner Met Mile arguably "best + fastest" in field, current form uncertain, unraced in nearly five months | 3-1 |
| 7 | Cupid | Bob Baffert | Returned to earth following smashing May comeback, both recent starts ordinary, has won over Del Mar racetrack | 10-1 |
| 8 | Accelerate | John Sadler | Multiple stakes winner at Del Mar, versatile style, improved with blinkers and improved since third this race 2016 | 7-2 |
| 9 | Battle of Midway | Jerry Hollendorfer | Kentucky Derby third enters off better-than-looked second roughly run G3 RP, lone start Del Mar was career best | 8-1 |
| 10 | Practical Joke | Chad Brown | He is 5 for 5 one turn, 0 for 5 two turns, laughing to the bank, earned $1.6 million, four times in money at two turns | 8-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Sprint, $1.5 million, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Calculator | Peter Miller | Second against weaker in the Pat O'Brien; even his best back races suggest he's in a bit too deep here | 20-1 |
| 2 | Drefong | Bob Baffert | Defending champ and winner of the 2016 Sprint impressed winning the Forego; race goes through him | 5-2 |
| 3 | American Pastime | Bob Hess Jr. | Very sharp when a close second in the Gallant Bob; this is obviously much tougher, but he's not out of it | 12-1 |
| 4 | B Squared | Doug O'Neill | Just beat Cal.-breds on Santa Anita's downhill course, but is in over his head here in his move back to dirt | 30-1 |
| 5 | Whitmore | Ron Moquett | Has racked up four six-furlong stakes wins this year; seems up against it versus this kind, however | 20-1 |
| 6 | Mind Your Biscuits | Chad Summers | His empty sixth in the Forego was his worst effort in a year; can have a major say on his best performance | 6-1 |
| 7 | Takaful | Kiaran McLaughlin | For a good while, you never knew what you'd get from him; he's consistent now, Vosburgh win was solid | 8-1 |
| 8 | Roy H | Peter Miller | Had a legit excuse when second in only loss this year and all his other recent dirt starts were excelllent | 7-2 |
| 9 | Ransom the Moon | Phil D'Amato | Also comes off a dull try, behind Roy H; did win the eventful Bing Crosby at the distance, over the track | 8-1 |
| 10 | Imperial Hint | Luis Carvajal Jr. | Galloped in five straight with his last being his best yet; don't know just how good he is, but no one does | 5-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, $1 million, 5 furlongs turf, 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Disco Partner | Christophe Clement | At his absolute best as a turf sprinter; the main concern is he must work out a trip from well off the pace | 9-2 |
| 2 | Holding Gold | Mark Casse | Another deep closer, he sports efforts two and three back that can put him in the picture at a nice price | 15-1 |
| 3 | Lady Aurelia | Wesley Ward | Three-year-old filly will be strongly favored over elders, and mostly males; that's how impressive she is | 8-5 |
| 4 | Stormy Liberal | Peter Miller | He's an accomplished specialist on Santa Anita's downhill course, which is a different animal than this race | 15-1 |
| 5 | Washington DC | Aidan O'Brien | No factor against Lady Aurelia and Marsha two starts back, and was no factor in this race at SA last year | 30-1 |
| 6 | Marsha | Mark Prescott | Managed to nail Lady Aurelia in August at York, but didn't run back to that upset in her one start since | 7-2 |
| 7 | Richard's Boy | Peter Miller | Is capable of popping with a big effort and he clearly likes Del Mar; not the worst bomber out there | 15-1 |
| 8 | Cotai Glory | Charles Hill | Third behind the top two at York and second recently in Woodbine's Nearctic; a fringe player here at best | 20-1 |
| 9 | Mongolian Saturday | Enebish Ganbat | Upset this race at Keeneland in 2015; logged many miles since, current form well below his career best | 20-1 |
| 10 | Hogy | Mike Maker | Gaining second in the Woodford; been an honest hard hitter for years, but has never been this good | 20-1 |
| 11 | Bucchero | Tim Glyshaw | His upset of Keeneland's Woodford was implausible both form and style-wise; let's see him do that again | 20-1 |
| 12 | Pure Sensation | Christophe Clement | Except for one off-turf outing at Parx, where he shines, he hasn't been as fast this year as he was last year | 15-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, $1 million, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Carina Mia | Chad Brown | Seemed poised to have a big year this year and while she hasn't been terrible, she has disappointed | 20-1 |
| 2 | Paulassilverlining | Chad Brown | Has won two Grade 1 events this year at this distance, but that was early on, and her last was not good | 8-1 |
| 3 | Curlin's Approval | Happy Alter | She's good at her Gulfstream base, but GP can often be like Las Vegas, what happens there, stays there | 20-1 |
| 4 | Finest City | Ian Kruljac | Upset this race last year. Tailed off in her last two starts, has been freshened, and has run well fresh | 15-1 |
| 5 | Bar of Gold | John Kimmel | Been all over the place lately: slop, synth, turf, dirt, routes, sprints; understandable if her head's spinning | 20-1 |
| 6 | Proper Discretion | Phil D'Amato | She's a terror against Ohio-bred competition, but last I checked, the F&M Sprint isn't for Ohio-breds | 50-1 |
| 7 | By the Moon | Michelle Nevin | Won 3 of last 4, probably doesn't get the respect she merits; Beyers aren't big, but no one's really are | 12-1 |
| 8 | Constellation | Bob Baffert | Looks like Skye Diamonds has her number, but she's very consistent; makes first start for the Baffert barn | 15-1 |
| 9 | Finley'sluckycharm | Bret Calhoun | Showed a new dimension most recently when she came from off the pace to win the TCA stakes | 8-1 |
| 10 | Highway Star | Rodrigo Ubillo | Another who brings solid, if unspectacular, form to the party; wouldn't surprise of she grabbed a piece | 15-1 |
| 11 | Unique Bella | Jerry Hollendorfer | Immensely talented 3-year-old left plenty in the tank in return, note no 3-year-old has won this race yet | 8-5 |
| 12 | Skye Diamonds | Bill Spawr | In career form with a strong win over the Del Mar track in the Rancho Bernardo; suitably fresh, too | 6-1 |
| 13 | Princess Karen | Jeff Bonde | Unique Bella blew past this filly in the L.A. Woman; little reason to expect her to turn the tables this time | 30-1 |
| 14 | Ami's Mesa | Josie Carroll | She's a prolific winner on synthetic, but this race is on dirt, and it's anyone's guess how she'll handle it | 20-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Juvenile, $2 million, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year old colts[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | U S Navy Flag | Aidan O'Brien | Sports two straight Group 1 victories; dirt is an obvious question, chose this instead of the Juvenile Turf | 12-1 |
| 2 | Solomini | Bob Baffert | Was beaten a long way by Bolt d'Oro in the FrontRunner, yet still ran creditably while finishing second | 10-1 |
| 3 | Firenze Fire | Jason Servis | Ran his best race yet to upset the Champagne, but think he beat many distance-challenged opponents | 8-1 |
| 4 | Givemeaminit | Dallas Stewart | Maiden ran well when close third in Hopeful, but disappointed when stretched out in Breeders' Futurity | 15-1 |
| 5 | Free Drop Billy | Dale Romans | His Breeders' Futurity score was visually appealing, but in contrast, it was very slow against the clock | 6-1 |
| 6 | Good Magic | Chad Brown | Champagne runner-up wasn't one of those distance-challenged opponents, looking to post maiden win | 8-1 |
| 7 | The Tabulator | Larry Rivelli | Bumped his unbeaten streak to three winning the Iroquois, but he was really begging for the wire late | 20-1 |
| 8 | Bahamian | Simon Callaghan | Thought he might be the Champagne speed, instead he trailed early after a bad start; still overmatched | 30-1 |
| 9 | Hazit | Todd Pletcher | Empty in Champagne after beating Good Magic in debut thanks to having an easy early lead; I'll pass | 20-1 |
| 10 | Golden Dragon | Mikhail Yanakov | Has won two straight, but on turf and with slow Beyer Figures; must improve a ton to merely contend | 30-1 |
| 11 | Bolt d'Oro | Mick Ruis | Figured to really blossom when he stretched out, but his FrontRunner romp was beyond expectations | 6-5 |
| 12 | Hollywood Star | Dale Romans | Finished second in the slowly run Iroquois in his route debut; needs a big Beyer Figure improvement | 20-1 |
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| [h=3]Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, $1 million, 1 mile, 2-yo colts[/h] | ||||
| POST | HORSE | TRAINER | COMMENT | ODDS |
| 1 | Mendelssohn | Aidan O'Brien | Group 1 runner-up Newmarket, Scat Daddy $3 million yearling, sibling to Beholder, trainer won this race 3 last 6 | 8-1 |
| 2 | Untamed Domain | Graham Motion | Talented but trouble-prone, up late over modest company in G2 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, will be rolling late | 10-1 |
| 3 | Sands of Mali | Richard Fahey | Puzzling misfire as apparent contender last out Newmarket G1, previously scored daylight wins sprint stakes | 20-1 |
| 4 | Catholic Boy | Jonathan Thomas | August victory Saratoga G3 validated when third-place finisher Untamed Domain returned to win G2 Summer | 10-1 |
| 5 | Beckford | Gordon Elliott | Runner-up twice Group 1's, no visible alibi finishing fifth as favorite last out Newmarket G1 won by U S Navy Flag | 6-1 |
| 6 | Masar | Charlie Appleby | Conspicuous European form includes G3 win + G1 third, improving pattern, major threat absent U S Navy Flag | 4-1 |
| 7 | James Garfield | George Scott | European Group 2 winner with style suits closers-friendly course profile, imports historically hold edge this race | 5-1 |
| 8 | Voting Control | Chad Brown | Likely best when compromised by slow start as runner-up G2 at Belmont Park, question quality of field he faced | 15-1 |
| 9 | Encumbered | Simon Callaghan | Dirt experiment did not pan out vs. Bolt d'Oro, returns to grass, won twice Del Mar turf including summer stakes | 15-1 |
| 10 | Flameaway | Mark Casse | Upset win in off-turf G3 Keeneland was his second win off-turf stakes, son of late Scat Daddy should love grass | 20-1 |
| 11 | Snapper Sinclair | Steve Asmussen | Improving colt legitimate contender, freshened since August, snappy $350k stakes Kentucky Downs, versatile style | 12-1 |
| 12 | Hemp Hemp Hurray | Wesley Ward | Respectable runner-up effort first beyond six furlongs G2 Summer at Woodbine, keeps pace honest from outside | 15-1 |
| 13 | My Boy Jack | Keith Desormeaux | Each start better than start before, deep closer scored maiden victory over suspect field $100k stakes Santa Anita | 15-1 |
| 14 | Rajasinghe | Richard Spencer | Outstanding UK form spring and summer, finished next to last in recent comeback race, current form uncertain | 20-1 |
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