3 minute read
Saturday's (Sunday in Aus) Marathon card starts with the Gr 2 Alliance Stakes
This is almost a marathon in itself in American terms as it is over 2600m but it only has 7 runners. The only two given serious consideration in the market are Lone Rock and Tizamagician.
Next is the Goldikova, named after the brilliant mare who won it three times and therefore earned the name change. Over 1600m for f&m it is Gr 2 and will have 9 runners with the top two in the market being Princess Grace 8/5 and Going Global 9/5. Zofelle is also fancied and is on 6/1.
The f&m Sprint is over 1400m Gr 1 and has only 6 starters possibly due to the presence of Gamine, Bob Baffert's incredible filly who is odds-on at 3/5. Bella Sofia 5/2 and Ce Ce 4/1 are also useful.
The Turf Sprint has attracted a better field with a maximum 12 allowed and there are 6 hopefuls waiting in the wings for a chance. The European runners start to appear here and we have Kevin Ryan's pair of Emaraty Ana 5/1 and Glass Slippers and Adrian McGuiness's A Case Of You on 8/1. Wesley Ward's Golden Pal is favourite on 7/2 but favourites have a bad history so his Kimari on 6/1 might be worth considering.
The Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile Gr. 1 has 8 starters. The Todd Pletcher trained Life is Good is 4/5 with Silver State 7/2 and Ginoboli 4/1.
More internationals in the f&m Turf Gr 1 over 1900m. Love is in the air here as Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combine with Love and the Japanese runner Loves Only You are both on 4/1. The locals like the chances of War Like Goddess on 7/2 and last year's winner Audarya comes in on 5/1 with William Buick riding for James Fanshawe.
The Breeders' Cup Sprint Gr 1 over 1200m has 9 runners and Jackie's Warrior is on 6/5, Dr Schivel 4/1, Firenze Fire 10/1 and the Japanese Matera Sky on 20/1 could be a good e/w.
The Turf Mile is Gr 1 with 14 runners and two emergencies. Space Blues looks a good bet here – he's favourite on 3/1 for Appleby-Buick. Mo Forza is on 5/1 and then there are 3 on 8/1 – In Love, Mother Earth, and Blowout. A roughie here in Ivar on 12/1.
The Breeders' Cup Distaff is over 1800m with 11 runners headed by Letruska, who started off life very humbly in Mexico and now comes into this Gr 1 race as the 8/5 favourite. Shedaresthedevil and Malathaat are on the next line at 4/1.
The Breeders' Cup Turf is the big one for the raiders and the Dermot Weld trained Tarnawa is 9/5 favourite despite a tricky draw. Roger Varian's Teona is 6/1 and the locals are represented by Christophe Clement's former French runner Gufo on 8/1. Others in the mix include Yibir on 12/1 for Appleby-Buick, German star Sisfahan , and Japan, Broome and Bolshoi Ballet are around 20/1.
The Breeders' Cup Classic is over 2000m and has 9 runners. Knicks Go, who races for the Korean Racing Authority is on 5/2, the talented Essential Quality on 3/1 and Hot Rod Charlie on 4/1. Should be a good one.
The Del Mar track is very tight and there may well be traffic problems that provoke upsets so be prepared!
