True Love, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Shamela Hanley / Eclipse Sportswire / Breeders’s Cup)
By G.S. Thompson
Breeders’ Cup Picks for Friday, Oct. 31
Race 6, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
1. #9 TRUE LOVE
2. #8 HAVANA ANNA
3. #11 SCHWARZENEGGER
TRUE LOVE is the clear class with proven Group form and a devastating last furlong; if she breaks cleanly, her finishing kick should separate her from the field. HAVANA ANNA represents strong value and seems even more dangerous cutting back to 5f, where she should sit just behind the leaders before making her move. SCHWARZENEGGER is Ward’s best speed colt, armed with :21-and-change pace and the toughness to stick around if the fractions aren’t too hot.
Longshots
#1 BRUSSELS #2 MILITARY CODE, #5 OBLITERATION, #10 CY FAIR
Race 7, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
1. #7 EXPLORA
2. #5 TOMMY JO
3. #2 BOTTLE OF ROUGE
EXPLORA looks the most complete of this group, with tactical speed and local seasoning that should allow her to stalk and pounce at the right moment. TOMMY JO is steadily improving for Pletcher and has the stamina and grinding style that make her dangerous stretching out. BOTTLE OF ROUGE has the advantage of Del Mar experience and carries her speed in a way that makes her very tough if she relaxes early.
Longshots
#9 LA WALLY, #3 MEANING, #8 SUPER CORREDORA
Race 8, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
1. #13 PRECISE
2. #9 TIME TO DREAM
3. #3 IMAGINATIONTHELADY
PRECISE is the class of the race, with Group 1-level form and the settle-and-quicken style that consistently wins this event for O’Brien. TIME TO DREAM is the best American hope, with strong late fractions that give her a chance if the pace is honest. IMAGINATIONTHELADY’s versatility makes her dangerous; she can secure a ground-saving trip and get first run on the deeper closers.
Longshots
#2 QUEEN OF HAWAII, #6 SWITCH IN LOVE, #12 PACIFIC MISSION
Race 9, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
1. #8 TED NOFFEY
2. #7 BRANT
3. #2 BLACKOUT TIME
TED NOFFEY has been the most professional colt in the division, boasting both figures and maturity that set him apart, and he should get the perfect trip. BRANT is Baffert’s best shot with local seasoning and speed, likely to sit near the favorite and keep fighting late. BLACKOUT TIME is the grinder who benefits most if the two leaders duel too hard and will be rolling late to pick up the pieces.
Longshots
#1 INTREPIDO, #3 MR. A.P, #4 COMPORT, #6 LITMUS TEST
Race 10, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
1. #14 GSTAAD
2. #12 BOTTAS
3. #9 ARGOS
GSTAAD is the most talented colt on paper, and if he settles despite his outside post, his turn of foot should overwhelm this group. BOTTAS is steadily improving for Clement and has the tactical speed to put himself in a winning spot turning for home. ARGOS is the best domestic win candidate with his push-button style and ability to adapt to different trip scenarios.
Longshots
#2 STREET BEAST, #8 STARK CONTRAST, #10 ARDISIA, #13 HEY NAY NAY
Forever Young, Breeders' Cup Classic (Shamela Hanley / Eclipse Sportswire / Breeders's Cup)
Breeders’ Cup Picks for Saturday, Nov 1.
Race 4, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
1. #6 SWEET AZTECA
2. #4 TAMARA
3. #8 HOPE ROAD
SWEET AZTECA is a brilliant sprinter with consistent triple-digit-type figures and the kind of tactical speed that should allow her to sit just off the leaders and kick clear late. TAMARA has proven Grade 1 class, is versatile enough to adapt to pace scenarios, and with Smith guiding her she’ll be well-timed for a strong late push. HOPE ROAD brings speed and grit, and Baffert’s training style at Del Mar gives her a real chance to fire a peak effort.
Longshots
#1 ZEITLOS, #5 FEE BLANCHE, #9 RICHI
Race 5, Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
1. #1 MOTORIOUS
2. #3 ARIZONA BLAZE
3. #8 AG BULLET
MOTORIOUS (GB) loves the Del Mar turf and has a devastating late kick perfectly suited to the 5f trip. ARIZONA BLAZE (GB) has Group 1 European sprint form and the kind of toughness to keep showing up; he should be in the mix despite the cutback. AG BULLET has speed to clear and the balance to finish, and she figures prominently if she avoids a duel.
Longshots
#4 KHAADEM, #12 INVINCIBLE PAPA
Race 6, Breeders’ Cup Sprint
1. #10 BENTORNATO
2. #1 KOPION
3. #7 IMAGINATION
BENTORNATO has the figures, the consistency, and the perfect pressing style to dominate if he avoids traffic; Ortiz Jr. makes him especially dangerous. KOPION is quick from the gate and tough to reel in when he grabs a clear lane—his 7f stamina makes him dangerous stretching his kick to 6f. IMAGINATION is a Baffert colt who has shown both speed and fight, a major asset against this caliber.
Longshots
#2 BANISHING, #6 DR. VENKMAN, #12 STRAIGHT NO CHASER
Race 7, Breeders’ Cup Distaff
1. #8 SEISMIC BEAUTY
2. #1 NITROGEN
3. #12 DORTH VADER
SEISMIC BEAUTY comes in as the top American distaff runner, with consistent triple-digit Beyers and the ability to stalk and pounce; Baffert has her peaking at the right time. NITROGEN offers a grinding style that plays perfectly at 9f, and her tactical positioning should keep her in the mix throughout. DORTH VADER has proven fight and tactical flexibility, and her style suits Del Mar’s surface.
Longshots
#2 SARAWAK RIM, #3 CLICQUOT, #4 SCYLLA, #5 SCOTTISH LASSIE, #6 ALICE VERITE
Race 8, Breeders’ Cup Turf
1. #1 REBEL’S ROMANCE
2. #8 MINNIE HAUK
3. #2 GOLIATH
REBEL’S ROMANCE looks to repeat in this race and has the class, experience, and proven ability to handle firm U.S. ground. MINNIE HAUK, the three-year-old filly from O’Brien, comes in off a strong Arc placing and gets weight, making her a serious rival. GOLIATH adds intrigue as a German shipper with stout staying form who could get the perfect stalking trip.
Longshots
#3 AMILOC, #6 WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE, #10 EL CORDOBES
Race 9, Breeders’ Cup Classic
1. #5 FOREVER YOUNG
2. #7 SIERRA LEONE
3. #1 FIERCENESS
FOREVER YOUNG has been training sharply and his stamina and toughness give him a real chance to deliver Japan’s first Classic; his prep lines suggest he’s peaking now. SIERRA LEONE is a relentless closer who will benefit from a hot early pace and comes into the race in the best form of his career. FIERCENESS has tactical versatility and raw talent, and if he gets his preferred trip, he can take this group wire-to-wire or from just off the lead.
Longshots
#2 BAEZA, #3 NEVADA BEACH, #8 MINDFRAME, #9 JOURNALISM
Race 10, Breeders’ Cup Mile
1. #2 NOTABLE SPEECH
2. #11 RHETORICAL
3. #4 THE LION IN WINTER
NOTABLE SPEECH is Appleby’s ace, peaking at the right time with a turn of foot tailor-made for the Del Mar mile. RHETORICAL has emerged as a dangerous American miler with speed and a powerful finishing kick. THE LION IN WINTER is O’Brien’s main chance, bringing Group 1 Euro class and the tactical ability to adapt to this race.
Longshots
#5 PROGRAM TRADING, #7 JOHANNES, #9 ARGINE, #10 JONQUIL
Race 11, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
1. #3 NYSOS
2. #6 FULL SERRANO (ARG)
3. #10 WHITE ABARRIO
NYSOS is the one to beat – his high cruising speed and raw ability are unmatched in this field, and he looks primed for another big win. FULL SERRANO (ARG) is a South American import with the right tactical style and finishing kick to threaten if the favorite falters. WHITE ABARRIO is classy and proven at the top level, making him a must-use in this spot.
Longshots
#2 GOAL ORIENTED, #4 MYSTIK DAN, #5 TUMBARUMBA
Race 12, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
1. #13 SHE FEELS PRETTY
2. #9 CINDERELLA’S DREAM
3. #5 GEZORA
SHE FEELS PRETTY has emerged as North America’s best turf filly, with tactical speed and a powerful late run that make her a major win candidate. CINDERELLA’S DREAM (GB) is Appleby’s filly with proven Euro class and a style that fits Del Mar’s 11f. GEZORA has been running well in France and looks poised to translate her form here.
Longshots
#4 VILLAGE VOICE, #6 DIAMOND RAIN, #11 BEDTIME STORY, #14 SEE THE FIRE
GOOD LUCK!