The two-day spectacular that is the Breeders’ Cup arrives this weekend and Matty Sutcliffe has begun the quest for winners west of the Atlantic. He has picked out three best bets for day one, including two Irish contenders to take down the hosts.
9:45 Del Mar – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 1) (2yo) (Turf) (2yo) – Havana Anna 7/1 1pt WIN
The Americans have been knocked off their perch in this contest of late and while the well regarded Schwarzenneger looks to be their best chance of a revival, he’ll likely be unsuited by the draw in 11 with the potential of being faced for the lead early.
We landed this race with Magnum Force last season with the view of needing a strong travelling sort, and HAVANA ANNA fits the bill this time around. Her form over 6F reads 322 as opposed to 112 over 5F, and she looks a touch overpriced with True Love given there was only 3/4 of a length between that pair in the Cheveley Park last time out.
Havana Anna had travelled stronger than True Love, but it appeared as if she stayed the stiff six stronger than the eventual second and she isn’t sure to back that up on this sharper five at Del Mar. Havanna Anna had a touch of class about her when comfortably landing a Naas Maiden, picking up in a quick manner before backing that up in a Naas Listed contest, drawing three lengths clear from Ipanema Queen who landed a listed contest next time out, with the second franking that form since (second in the Flying Childers).
She lost little in defers when a nose second to Afjan in the Prix d’Arenberg, who fared very well for a 2yo in the Prix de l’Abbaye next time out, and this strong travelling daughter of Havana Grey looks sure to be suited by this test.
10:25 Del Mar – NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) (2yo Fillies) (Main Track) (Dirt) (2yo) – Meaning 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
You won’t see many BC Juvenile Fillies Dirt winners coming off the back of a winning debut at Los Alamitos, but $440,000 Gun Runner filly MEANING looks worth her place in this grade.
She was entitled to start a touch slowly there against experienced rivals, but it was seriously impressive regarding the way she cruised through the field to lead just before the bend and kick clear in impressive fashion.
While this is a big step up in class, she looks to be an imposing filly who has the ability to travel around two turns with enough speed to kick clear late on, and with natural improvement from her debut she can give a strong account of herself.
11:05 Del Mar – John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1) (2yo Fillies) (Turf) (2yo) – Precise 5/4 2pt WIN
PRECISE has been done few favours in her draw in stall thirteen, but a wide draw took this at Del Mar in 2017 and this tactically versatile daughter of Starspangledbanner has enough of a class advantage over her rivals for it to scupper her chances.
Precise has progressed sharply since being beaten 3/4L on debut at Fairyhouse over 6F, with subsequent form figures of 1111. She’s proven herself to cope on a sharp firm track when winning the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, with the third franking that form when landing the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster, then she emulated last years winner Lake Victoria in winning the Moyglare before running away with the Fillies Mile at Newmarket.
That was a dominant performance having settled well off the pace behind stablemate Composing, before quickly putting the race to the bed to win an eased down three lengths. She possesses all the attributes required to win this race and her uncomplicated nature can enable Soumillon to ride the race as to how it pans out before kicking clear late on off the bend.
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