The second day of the Breeders’ Cup features nine Grade 1s as championship scores are settled between America and Europe. GG tipster Joe Napier has taken a fancy in five races, with his best bets including Godolphin and Coolmore combatants.
7.00 Del Mar – PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1)
A disappointment at the Breeders’ Cup when it was held at Santa Anita two years ago, compensation can await TAMARA now that she races under what should prove to be ideal conditions.
She was the 4/5 favourite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2023, but that was over 1m½f and she patently failed to see out the trip. The reason she started at such prohibitive odds was because she had prepped for that edition of the Breeders’ Cup with a seven-length demolition in Group 1 company over 7f at Del Mar, the exact same course and distance she faces this weekend.
She cosily won her Group 3 warm up for this at the start of October, with the only slight doubt being Splendora’s potential early speed two stalls inside of her. However, the selection’s natural ability should enable her to get to the front and dominate proceedings before seeing out the 7f trip.
7.41 Del Mar – Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1)
In the past two editions of the Turf Sprint at Del Mar, stall 3 has been victorious, while those drawn between stalls 2-5 have finished in the first six in both as well. A decent draw is fairly pivotal, making BRING THEBAND HOME look overpriced for Mark Casse.
Had he not run at Woodbine at the start of this month he would be a significantly shorter price, but as he faded to last of seven in Grade 2 company beforehand, he has drifted. He was unduly pestered for the lead by one on his inside that day, but none of those drawn inside of the five-year-old are habitual front runners as he is.
Golden Pal showed in 2021 that a quick-breaking front-runner can be away and gone before the field has time to close and Bring Theband Home’s form prior to his blowout last time was strong enough to make him a serious contender here. He can see off any fast-finishing European raiders, with Arizona Blaze the likeliest danger for the visitors.
10.25 Del Mar – Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1)
The absence of Sovereignty is a shame for this race, but his generation of three-year-olds has able deputies in Journalism and BAEZA, with the latter offering a shade more value.
He is a son of 2019 Classic runner-up McKinzie and ran really well in the two Triple Crown races this season without quite possessing the class of Sovereignty. However, he was only narrowly behind Journalism in the Kentucky Derby when breaking from a much worse draw and track position throughout.
John Shirreffs’ charge was less competitive in the Belmont Stakes having missed the start, although it’s notable that he has broken at least on terms the last twice, including when only a length behind Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, and then again when earning a debut Grade 1 in the Pennsylvania Derby last time out. That win suggested he is still progressing and he could be a late-closing danger to his older rivals.
11.05 Del Mar – Fanduel Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1)
A beaten favourite in this last year, NOTABLE SPEECH is another revenge seeker on the day two card who can be victorious. Charlie Appleby had won three Breeders’ Cup Miles in a row prior to last year and will want the streak back.
The 2024 2000 Guineas winner has been unfortunate in the domestic miling sphere since then, although did pick up a second Group 2 in the Sussex Stakes last season. He had found the Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes’ slightly too hot prior to venturing abroad, where he has found his mojo again, first going down narrowly in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.
Upon arriving on North American shores once again, he gained a first success in 13 months when landing the odds in the Woodbine Mile. He will break slower than the majority of the hosts, so William Buick will have to be canny, but this tight, fast mile is ideal for his talents and he should prove himself the best horse in the race.
12.25 Del Mar – Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1)
Aidan O’Brien can bring the Breeders’ Cup curtain down with a winner courtesy of BEDTIME STORY, a filly who has contested a variety of big races over many different distances, but for whom this now looks her niche.
Backing her on the nose has been expensive this season, but only in the Nassau Stakes under a flag start, and the 1m6f Prix de Royallieu, has she truly underperformed, with demonstrable excuses. At her best, she has been second in the French Oaks, a length behind Gezora who reopposes, and has been third and fourth in two Group 1s over 1m4f.
However, her career best came on good-to-firm when romping clear in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot as a juvenile. She has never faced such a surface since, but American conditions promise to be right up her street as a result.
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