Holland's 2020 Breeders' Cup Picks

Day 2 of the 2020 Breeders' Cup begins as Tim Holland offers his picks for this jam packed card day at Keeneland.

Keeneland

Race 4

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)

#9 Bell’s the One (6-1) has not raced since rallying from off the pace to win the Derby City Distaff (G1) at this distance at Churchill in early-September. Daughter of Majesticperfection won the Raven Run (G2) here last fall and has a record of 4-2-0-1 on this oval. 4-year-old has been working well since her latest and should find another solid pace to help her closing style be effective with Lanerie retaining the mount.

Race 5

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1)

Trainer Ryan will bid for his first Breeders’ Cup success with #6 Glass Slippers (12-1), who has improved in each of her four starts this year, most recently finishing a close second in the Prix de l’Abbaye (G1) on heavy ground at Longchamp last month. Daughter of Dream Ahead won the Prix de l’Abbaye on better ground in 2019 and chased Europe's leading sprinter Battaash when second in the King George (G2) at Goodwood earlier this year. 4-year-old has early speed and can be in good position early from a perfect post with regular rider Eaves in the irons.

Race 6

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1)

#5 Knicks Go (7-2) led from the start when easily winning his latest by 10 lengths over 1 1/16 miles here early last month in his first start since February, and second outing for trainer Cox. Son of Paynter has a record of 4-2-1-0 on this oval and Cox wins with 28% of his runners that won last time out, and with 27% second off a layoff. Gray figures to be sent early and will be hard to catch under Rosario, who is at his best when on the front-end.

Race 7

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1)

Chad Brown has won this event four times and saddles #2 Sistercharlie (6-1), who won the race at Churchill in 2018. 6-year-old has raced just twice since finishing third in last year's renewal, most recently when unable to overcome moderate fractions in the Diana (G1) at Saratoga in August. Brown wins with 27% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and mare is fresh and should find decent fractions to close into with regular rider Velazquez aboard.

Race 9

Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile (G1)

#14 Raging Bull (8-1) finished fast when second in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) in his latest over the course and distance last month and has a record of 4-1-1-1 on this turf. Trainer Brown wins with 26% of his runners on grass and son of Dark Angel impressed when producing his late run to win the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita earlier this year. 5-year-old drew a wide post, but is at his best when finding firm footing and a fast pace to close into which should be the case here.

Race 11

Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)

Several European contenders include #6 Lord North (8-1), who was not been suited to the soft ground when unplaced in the Champion (G1) in his latest at Ascot last month, but who defeated the winner of that event on faster going in the Prince of Wales (G1) in June. Trainer Gosden saddled Enable to win this event at Churchill two years ago and son of Dubawi should be suited to this 12 furlong trip. Gelding can be running from off the pace under Dettori, who bids for his sixth Breeders' Cup Turf win.

Race 12

Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)

#4 Tom’s d’Etat (6-1) lost all chances when stumbling badly at the start when third as the favorite in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga in his latest in early-August, but easily won the Stephen Foster (G2) while earning a career best BRIS Speed of 112 from just off the pace two back. Son of Smart Strike won the Fayette (G2) in one previous start on this oval and trainer Stall, who saddled Blame to win this in 2010, wins with 23% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. 7-year-old has worked consistently since his last outing. And with plenty of early speed entered here, he should get a great trip from off the pace under Rosario, who won this event two years ago aboard Accelerate.