Part one of Coral’s Saturday Breeders’ Cup preview
Published:
Racing continues from Del Mar
The Breeders’ Cup continues apace on Saturday evening with no fewer than nine Grade 1 encounters to enjoy.
Here, the Coral News Team preview the first face races, from the Juvenile Fillies at 7pm right through to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at 9:37pm UK Time.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (7pm UK Time)
This is a race laden with long-odds winners. Three of the last four victors of this renewal have come at odds north of 30/1. However, classy Coolmore filly Moonshine Memories should lay that record to rest at 9/4.
The daughter of Malibu Moon has won twice at Del Mar, including a Grade 1 success in the Debutante Stakes. Heavenly Love, Separationofpowers and Alluring Star will provide a different test at odds of 5/1, 6/1 and 7/1. But Simon Callaghan’s star is taken to put the favourite’s hoodoo to rest over 1m½.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (7:37pm UK Time)
Lady Aurelia and Marsha are set to renewal rivalries here following their exhilarating finale in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August. Marsha may have won on that occasion, but Lady Aurelia is taken to reverse placings here at odds of 11/10.
Wesley Ward’s charge is unbeaten so far on home turf. And when it clicks with the daughter of Scat Daddy – it clicks. However, Marsha presents a real danger at 9/2. Sir Mark Prescott’s runner won in the last knockings in their most recent meeting, and in what is considered to be a closing track at Del Mar, she could have the advantage once again.
If either of those fail to live up to expectation, Disco Partner and Washington DC will be there to pick up the pieces at 5/1 and 12/1 respectively.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (8:14pm UK Time)
Unbeaten Unique Bella is 11/8 to take this renewal over 7f, but the Coral News Team think there’s better value to be found elsewhere. Finest City is yet to win in 2017 and doesn’t appeal at 8/1.
But Skye Diamonds, a dual black-type winner, does. At the same-price, she provides good value. And with a slight reduction in trip from her two most recent successes, the four-year-old could spring a shock for trainer Bill Spawr.
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (9pm UK Time)
There’s plenty of UK & Irish interest in this all-female clash as the trio of Rhododendron, Queen’s Trust and Nezwaah all do battle. However, it’s Lady Eli that is the one to beat at 11/4. Chad Brown’s runner has placed in all 13 starts, winning three. That’s difficult form to ignore, although there are cases to be made for Europe’s female three.
7/2 shot Rhododendron landed the Prix de l’Opera Longines last time out and is taken to put up more of a challenge than Queens Trust at 8/1. Charlie Appleby’s Wuheida could go well at enticing odds of 10/1, while Roger Varian’s Nezwaah has been soundly beaten in Grade 1 company before and is unlikely to challenge at 12/1.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (9:37pm UK Time)
The Breeders’ Cup Sprint should to be a two-way affair between Drefong and Roy H. In what looks to be a fantastic duel over 6f, the unbeaten Drefong is currently the 11/8 favourite to make it six wins from six races. Bob Baffert’s star has only raced once this season but hacked up by 4l to land a third consecutive Grade 1 prize in August.
Roy H is in good form himself. The five-year-old has won on two of his three appearances this season and is 11/2 to make that three from four. Mind Your Biscuits and Takaful are unlikely to challenge at the same-price.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
