2016 Breeders’ Cup: Found a worthy favourite to retain Turf crown
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Arc heroine Found has fabulous chance in Breeder’s Cup Turf
Found can round off a terrific season by successfully defending her Breeders’ Cup Turf title at Santa Anita on Saturday (22.22).
The Aidan O’Brien trained filly produced a terrific performance in the 1m 4f contest 12 months ago at Keeneland when staying on strongly under pressure to get the better of Investec Derby winner Golden Horn by 3/4 of a length.
Found comes into this year’s renewal in just as good as shape having gained a deserved big race success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly before losing little in defeat when a two length runner-up crack French colt Almanzor in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot last time out.
Ultra-consistent at the highest level
The four-year-old simply thrives at this time of the year and is an ultra-consistent performer who has won six of her 20 starts and finished in the frame on 13 occasions.
An official rating of 123 also puts Found 2lb clear of main market rival Flintshire in what looks a two horse race on form.
The one slight negative is that Found will start from from stall 10 of 13, but given that the daughter of Galileo is usually dropped-in off the pace before coming with a late surge it is not as big an issue as it could have been for others.
Another plus is that Found once again has the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle and there is no better jockey to have on your side when it comes to the big races.
Shrewd move to swerve California Chrome
Underfoot conditions should also be ideal and it looks a shrewd move by connections to go for this race rather than the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the dirt where Found would have faced the mighty California Chrome on a surface on which she is unproven.
This race looks by far the easier option and unlike Flintshire, who suffered a shock defeat last time out when sent off longs odds-on and beaten five lengths, Found comes into the contest right at the top of her game.
The selection also has nothing to fear from globetrotting stable companion Highland Reel who finished 1 3/4 lengths behind her when runner-up in the Arc and taking everything into account Found looks a worthy favourite to land back-to-back runnings of this Grade 1 contest.
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