Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Keeneland Breeders’ Cup (including video analysis) & Dundalk.
KEENELAND BREEDERS’ CUP 2020
Race 6: BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (Grade 2)
No9 – AFTER FIVE
Trainer: Wesley Ward – Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Ward is seven-handed in a race he took out last year with Four Wheel Drive. Picking the bones out of his septet is challenging, but from a good draw in mid-pack AFTER FIVE can come out on top. The grey met with traffic problems when second to Second Of July at Belmont last month, but for which he might have won. COWAN has a good draw from which to attack and can get into the shake-up with BODENHEIMER and Norfolk Stakes second GOLDEN PAL but both those rivals are not as favourably berthed on what will be a speed-biased track.
Prediction: 9-5-14-10
Race 7: BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF (Grade 1)
No9 – BATTLEGROUND
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
O’Brien has kept the wraps on BATTLEGROUND since his decisive victory in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, which followed an equally convincing triumph at Ascot for the son of War Front. None of the Coolmore juveniles has impressed me as much as this fellow who can show himself fit to take the spoils and in so doing give his trainer extra options with him as far as the future is concerned. MUTASAABEQ rates the most dangerous of the American runners, boasting form on both dirt and grass. A big run from him would boost Jackie’s Warrior in the Juvenile. Ireland May also have cause to celebrate via a big showing from Jessie Harrington’s CADILLAC who breaks from a perfect slot, while French challenger SEALIWAY can earn if coping with the rail.
Prediction: 9-6-5-1
Race 8: BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (Grade 1)
No3 – DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE
Trainer: Timothy Hamm – Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Three impressive unbeaten records go on the line with Bob Baffert’s PRINCESS NOOR who cost a staggering $1.35 million and has completed a hat-trick by an aggregate of 17 and a quarter lengths. The Silver Fox has described her as a ‘superstar’, saying that she can be ridden from on the speed or off it, giving her veteran pilot Victor Espinoza options. SIMPLY RAVISHING also looked the real deal taking out back-to-back races at Saratoga in the summer before humbling the usual Crazy Beautiful here last month. It makes Kenny McPeek’s contender a huge threat, but perhaps the one that could find that crucial ‘extra’ needed to win this is DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE whose stalking style under junior Alvarado might be the answer should her foes fall into the trap of cutting their own throats. The selection wowed New York race fans when cruising home in a Grade 1 at Belmont last month.
Prediction: 3-1-7-5
Race 9: BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES’ TURF (Grade 1)
No5 – AUNT PEARL
Trainer: Brad Cox – Jockey: Florent Geroux
Course form can stand for everything in the fillies’ turf, with AUNT PEARL’s taking triumph in a Grade 2 here last month marking her down as the one to beat from what looks the perfect post. Cox has enjoyed an outstanding year with his juveniles and this daughter of Looe De Vega really fits the bill under Florent Geroux. Also unbeaten is PLUM ALI who breaks alongside her and the latter has justified heavy support on all three starts at Saratoga, this track, and Belmont by an aggregate of 20 lengths. Frankie Dettori will need his trapping boots on aboard Wes Ward’s Prix Morny winner CAMPANELLE, who will experience very different underfoot conditions than at either Ascot or Deauville while stablemate ROYAL APROVAL might get the better of her, given Irad Ortiz Jr’s mount has looked a totally different filly on her recent starts here and in New York.
Prediction: 5-4-11-10
Race 10: TVG BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE (Grade 1)
No 5 – ESSENTIAL QUALITY
Trainer: Brad Cox – Jockey: Luis Saez
ESSENTIAL QUALITY can make it a red-letter day for trainer Cox by taking out the featured Juvenile. The grey son of Tapit knows how to put distance between himself and his foes and was hugely impressive here last month. He needs to bring his A-game to the table because JACKIE’S WARRIOR will be many people’s idea of the bet of the day as he limbers up to attempt to nail a nap hand of triumphs for Steve Asmussen and Joel Rosario. REINVESTMENT RISK is another name to conjure with, even though his colours were lowered by the latter at Saratoga and Belmont. Chad Brown’s colt enjoys the pick of the draw and will most probably give the favourite more to think about in these different circumstances.
Prediction: 5-3-7-8
DUNDALK
Race 2: No3 – COLOUR SERGEANT
Trainer: Ger Lyons – Jockey: G Carroll
Perennial bridesmaid COLOUR SERGEANT chased home a subsequent Group 1 winner in Van Gogh last time as well as chasing home National Stakes winner Thunder Moon in a previous race. From the rail and with the recently added blinkers retained he should prove hard to beat.
Race 3: No12 – SINDHIA
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
SINDHIA needs to hone the tendency to pull that cost her on handicap debut here last time, but if doing so will be a big player in this. She broke her maiden over the course in early October and looks like she’ll appreciate stepping up to a mile.
Race 4: No4 – HAZEL (Nap)
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien – Jockey: G Ryan
HAZEL grazed the crossbar on each of her first two starts and was then far from disgraced in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. The daughter of No Nay Never is going to appreciate this drop back in class and might find the rail the best place to be.
Race 7: No12 UNFORGETABLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: D McDonagh
The best value in the featured Belgrave Stakes is UNFORGETABLE, who has been placed in two Group 3s as well as in a Listed race. The Muhaarar filly crucially drops back into a sprint distance which can see her at her best from a good draw and getting weight from main foe Harry’s Bar.
