KENNELAND BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY
Race 6 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (Grade 1)
No6 PERSIAN FORCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
One colt that could have gone under the radar this week is PERSIAN FORCE, who has an engaging demeanour and took everything in without turning a hair in his training on the track for Richard Hannon. He has a very good draw and should avoid trouble, while his domestic form stands up to the closest inspection. His defeats by the now retired Blackbeard in successive Group 1 races at Deauville and Newmarket is very strong form to bring to the table, while the booking of Frankie Dettori presents another pointer to his winning chance.
All eyes have been on THE PLATINUM QUEEN, who, under Hollie Doyle, needs to handle an outer draw, but such is the natural speed of the daughter of Cotai Glory that she will surely have no choice but to use herself to get to the front. The Prix de l’Abbaye winner cannot be overlooked lightly but might succumb to a closer on this first run round a bend.
Wesley Ward has a small but select team this week, and LOVE REIGNS looks sure to have a say in proceedings breaking from stall 2. The daughter of U S Navy Flag met with her only defeat behind DRAMATISED in the Queen Mary, but under Irad Ortiz Jr put the record straight with a cosy success at Saratoga, and on her home patch has a good chance of turning the tables from Royal Ascot.
Prediction: 1st PERSIAN FORCE, 2nd The Platinum Queen, 3rd Love Reins
Race 7 NETJETS BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (Grade 1)
No10 CHOCOLATE GELATO
Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Jockey: Ira Ortiz Jr
If CHOCOLATE GELATO can bring her New York game to the table like she broke her maiden, she will surely cut a dash into the money for the Pletcher team. The daughter of Practical Joke faces stern competition from stablemate ATOMICALLY who is no slouch, but one that could cause the selection more problems is CHOP CHOP who has a score to settle with WONDER WHEEL from a stakes race over this course and distance last month. Both have good gate slots for this rematch, and I expect them to take home a cheque of some kind.
Prediction: 1st CHOCOLATE GELATO, 2nd Chop Chop, 3rd Wonder Wheel
Race 8 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (Grade 1)
No10 MEDITATE (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Talking to Aidan O’Brien on the back stretch this week, it’s clear that he thinks MEDITATE is one of, if not his best chance of a winner at the Breeders’ Cup. Buoyed by her deft mix of speed from her sire (No Nay Never) and her dam (by Arc winner Dalakhani), the trainer believes her Group 1 defeats by Tahiyra at the Curragh and Lezoo at Newmarket have emboldened her prospects of getting back to winning ways over this longer trip and round two turns. Those form angles make her the one to beat, and that’s been mirrored in the level of support for her in the last few days.
Since Dancing Spree won the Sprint at my first Breeders’ Cup I’ve always been a devotee of Shug McGaughey, and greatly respect his unbeaten filly PLEASANT PASSAGE, who has a better draw than the Nap. Her sire More Than Ready has produced more Breeders’ Cup winners than any other stallion, and in smoothly landing both starts in New York she’s looked a talent in chrysalis. If getting into full bloom here, she will trouble the best of them.
DELIGHT is another set for an earning run as she’s looked better with every race, and greatly impressed over track and trip last month. The chestnut has Luis Saez in her irons, and should not be underestimated.
Prediction: 1st No10 MEDITATE, 2nd Pleasant Passage, 3rd Delight
Race 9 FANDUEL BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE (Grade 1)
No3 CAVE ROCK
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Jockey: Juan Hernandez
The Santa Anita triumph of CAVE ROCK was eye candy in a big way, suggesting this son of Arrogate might be something special. He’s a big, powerful horse who breaks and gallops and is typical of the five colts Bob Baffert has won this race with in the past. Juan Fernandez didn’t need to move a muscle for that American Pharaoh triumph, and the combination are set to start a shade of odds on.
Todd Pletcher’s FORTE has gone three from four for Irad Ortiz Jr and came back with excuses after his defeat at Saratoga. His subsequent successes there and at this track have been gained with consummate ease, and he goes to war with his tail up.
BLAZING STEVENS also has just one blemish on his scoresheet when third to Forte, but that apart, looks the type to get involved for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat.
Prediction: 1st CAVE ROCK, 2nd Forte, 3rd Blazing Sevens
Race 10 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF (Grade 1)
No4 SILVER KNOTT
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
When Charlie Appleby says he has a colt that’s a worthy favourite for a race like the Juvenile Turf it’s best to heed the warning, as he knows what it takes to put this first-day highlight into Godolphin’s bag. This son of Lope De Vega has a plum draw four off the fence backed up by very strong home form that’s seen him take out three of his last four, culminating in the Autumn Stakes.
VICTORIA ROAD has really picked up the pace by going maiden, Listed, Group 3 to complete a hat-trick and is on the crest of an upward curve for Aidan O’Brien, but more potent threats to the selection could emanate from the Chad Brown-trained I’M VERY BUSY, who looked good in training through the week, and WEBSLINGER, who may well be overpriced for trainer Mark Casse, and a good option for exotics.
Prediction: 1st SILVER KNOTT, 2nd I’m Very Busy, 3rd Webslinger
