The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships has attracted a record 56 international entries for the two-day spectacular that opens today at 20h55 at Del Mar in California – the acetrack that took over our own Milnerton’s moniker of ‘Where the Turf Meets the Surf’.
The challengers come from all over Europe and the United Kingdom, from Ireland to Germany, and from South Africa and Japan, to take on the best of the locals at distances from 1000m to 2400m.
Bob Baffert was snapped by Neil Morrice at Del Mar this week
Hollywoodbets’ Neil Morrice brings you his best bets and selections for today’s racing.
- Race 6 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT (Grade 2)
No7 ARMOR
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Ryan Moore
ARMOR has looked the part since his arrival on the backside, casting a dark shadow in light exercise and a colt that might have gone under the radar in a market dominated by US-trained horses. The son of No Nay Never should do his best work at the finish from a handy midfield post, and can swoop to conquer. Unbeaten ONE TIMER can emerge as the best of the locals, with Morning Line favoured AVERLY JANE another who can’t be left out of the mix.
Prediction: 7-9-8
- Race 7 NET JETS BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (Grade 1)
No2 HIDDEN CONNECTION (Nap)
Trainer: Bret Calhoun – Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
HIDDEN CONNECTION can cause an upset by taking down fellow unbeaten runner ECHO ZULU. The selection importantly went around two turns in the Pocahontas, giving her a possible edge on her market rival who has wired all three starts in New York and clocked the best figures. On a different track and trip, it’s a whole new ball game. JUJU’S MAP can make it a race that falls into the pages of the formbook by taking away a minor cheque.
Prediction: 2-6-5
- Race 8 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
No7 CONSUMER SPENDING (Each Way)
Trainer: Chad Brown – Jockey: Flavien Prat
Her Selima win has taken a knock, but CONSUMER SPENDING remains an eye taker from a good slot in this ultra-competitive affair. Unbeaten KOALA PRINCESS can figure if handling an extra 300 metres while PIZZA BIANCA showed streetwise quality after meeting traffic in the Grade 1 Natalma. Of the Europeans, MALAVATH and MISE EN SCENE have looked best in training, but have to overcome wide gates. It will be furiously contested and everything needs to go right.
Prediction: 7-9-12
Jack Christopher at work this week (Pic – Breeeders’ Cup World Championship)
- Race 9 TVG BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE (Grade 1)
No1 JACK CHRISTOPHER
Trainer: Chad Brown – Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Saratoga sizzler JACK CHRISTOPHER should give short shrift to his foes if staying the extra from a plum slot on the rail. The Munnings colt can put himself at the forefront of lists for next year’s Kentucky Derby, with a conversion over COMMANDPERFORMANCE. The latter ran on in the Champagne, is crying out for two turns and will surely shed his maiden tag soon. Bob Baffert pitches in a formidable trio, any of whom can win. CORNICHE will be the shortest price but as a double-figure roughie BAROSSA is the better value, and can earn.
Prediction: 1-10-8
William Buick rides Modern Games (Pic- Doncaster Racecourse)
- Race 10 BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF (Grade 1)
No1 MODERN GAMES
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Appleby reckons this is his main arrow over Albahr and that the Dubawi colt has the cruising speed to travel and hold his pitch.
Expect him to keep finding in the straight, with TIZ THE BOMB one to banker in exotics. He’s on a roll, overcame gate issues to take out the Bourbon last time, and has a good chance of ending Kenny McPeek’s hoodoo at past Breeders’ Cups.
Inexperience is a possible issue for Coolmore’s only juvenile runner here GLOUNTHAUNE, but he’s looked good under Moore on the training track, and is an unknown quantity.
Prediction: 1-4-8
