Saturday's Breeders' Cup Race Analysis
Saturday's Racing
Find all the information you could want for the 2017 Breeders' Cup at the following resources:
Breeders' Cup 2017 News & Notes
The Free Horse Racing Betting Guides Library
Past Breeders' Cup Race Analysis
Curlin and Zenyatta Highlight Breeders' Cup XXV Classic
The Steve Asmussen-trained CURLIN, who topped the $10 million in earnings mark with a defense of his title in the Jockey Club Gold Cup most recently, leads a stellar cast in America's richest race, the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The son of Smart Strike, who easily won this event in 2007, is clearly the horse to beat in here while making his synthetic debut. In what could possibly be his final race, the four-year-old is no cinch in this deep, international cast.
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR and RAVEN'S PASS, arguably two of the top four milers in Europe, will hope to get another quarter-mile in this rich contest. The former is a brilliant sophomore from the mighty Ballydoyle outfit who racked up three straight Group 1 wins this season, headlined by his Irish 1000 Guineas Ire-G1) romp. Raven's Pass topped Henry last out in the Queen Elizabeth II (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot and might have more upside than his European counterpart. The chestnut colt has won two in succession and could make some noise if the trip is within his reach. Dual Grade 1 hero STUDENT COUNCIL gets lost in the shadow of Curlin, but the six-year-old is an accomplished entry for Asmussen.
Three-time Grade 1 victor TIAGO rallied from last to second in the Goodwood S. (G1), a key prep for this event, and should improve in his second off the bench. GO BETWEEN is as good a synthetic horse in training and should not be ignored for Bill Mott. Last out Travers S. star COLONEL JOHN loves this venue and has been working like a monster for Eoin Harty.
Breeders' Cup Turf
Nine of the Breeders' Cup tests will take place on Saturday, including the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf. Michael de Kock's EAGLE MOUNTAIN has an abundance of class and would not shock with a big showing in here. The four-year-old bay knocked heads with the best in Europe last year and will be a major force in here despite his poor post.
St. Leger S. (Eng-G1) romper CONDUIT is a very talented sophomore who could cap a big year in a big way. RED ROCKS, who won this in 2006, and BETTER TALK NOW, the '05 champ, have returned for another try. Multiple Group 1 hero SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, three-time Grade 1 victor GRAND COUTURIER and Secretariat S. (G1) star WINCHESTER make this one a dandy.
Breeders' Cup Sprint
The well-matched $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint features defending champ MIDNIGHT LUTE, Ancient Title S. upsetter COST OF FREEDOM, BLACK SEVENTEEN and FABULOUS STRIKE, who finished one-two in the Vosburgh S., Forego S. romper FIRST DEFENCE, and the remarkably fast FATAL BULLET.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Breeders' Futurity S. hero SQUARE EDDIE will face off with the highly regarded MIDSHIPMAN in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Other draws in this 13-horse contingent include Norfolk S. victor STREET HERO, Pilgrim S. star ELUSIVE BLUFF and morning-line favorite MUNNINGS.
Breeders' Cup Mile
The always entertaining $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile attracted European standout GOLDIKOVA, defending champ KIP DEVILLE and dual Grade 2 hero WHATSTHESCRIPT.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf drew 14, including the unbeaten BITTEL ROAD.
Also on Saturday are the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and $500,000 Breeders' Cup Dirt Marathon.
Saturday's first post from Oak Tree at Santa Anita is set for 10:10am Pacific/1:10pm Eastern - This is the first Breeders' Cup race of the day.