WELCOME OFFER FOR THE BREEDERS CUP AVAILABLE HERE
4.30 - Race 1 - Nyquist Stakes (6½f, dirt)
Assertive Style, Saffa's Day and Awesome Gerry are all unbeaten and the last-named in particular looked a useful performer at Gulfstream Park last month. He's got a leading say for trainer Saffie Joseph but top-rated HIGHLY MOTIVATED may get Chad Brown's weekend off to the perfect start by taking this race.
He had no trouble building on his debut second with a smooth Belmont Park success over 6f last month and has plenty of scope for further improvement over this extra yardage. He's drawn on the rail and Javier Castellano can pick his position from there as his mount showed good speed getting away last time.
5.05 - Race 2 - Songbird Fillies' Stakes (6½f, dirt)
There are lots of promising two-year-old fillies to look out for here. California Lilly made a winning debut at Woodbine last month and should progress while Kela's Turn is 2-2 following a wide margin win at Prairie Meadows but must overcome gate 12 today. Course winner The Grass Is Blue is high on the shortlist for Chad Brown but JOY'S ROCKET was not disgraced last time in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park and could benefit from that experience.
The mile against good horses looked to stretch her stamina and, down in trip/grade, Steve Asmussen will hope she can come on for that.
5.40 - Race 3 - Bryan Station Stakes (1m1f, turf)
NO WORD and Mo Ready finished second and third respectively in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby last month and they give trainer Todd Pletcher a strong claim in this contest. The former has been nothing but consistent and looks sure to go very close with this class-drop in his favour under Jose Ortiz.
Angelus Warrior was not at his best here over a 1m2f last time but has some really pleasing mile form in the ledger already and could bounce back down in trip for Manny Franco.
6.15 - Race 4 - McConnell Springs Stakes (Fillies and Mares, 6f, turf)
With nine runners it's hard to factor anything out in this wide open sprint contest. The top pair on the racecard, Bye Bye J and Amy's Challenge, should be in the melting pot, while Royal Charlotte is a five-time distance winner and makes the shortlist for the Chad Brown team.
Unholy Alliance would have a decent shout if she's on a going day but WILDWOOD'S BEAUTY is a reliable conveyance and she tuned up for this with a fair run at Arlington in third last time and had previously run in a Grade 1 at Churchill Downs. She makes each-way appeal.
6.50 - Race 5 - Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (Grade 2, 1m5f)
Danny California arrives here in super order after a hat-trick of recent wins, battling on determinedly when challenged last month at Belmont Park. He's in the mix but may struggle to fend off RY'S THE GUY over this extended distance.
Ian Wilkes' four-year-old colt really went through the line strongly at Churchill Downs last month over 1m4f, putting distance between himself and the chasing pack, and has plenty going for him on that basis.
7.30 - Race 6 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 2, 5½f, turf)
Into the teeth of the action from here on as the Breeders' Cup races begin for 2020 with the Juvenile Turf Sprint. Wesley Ward's ability to handle a precocious juvenile is well-documented and GOLDEN PAL is the one to beat here.
The Uncle Mo colt was only collared late on by The Lir Jet at Royal Ascot this summer and accounted for Fauci on his return home at Saratoga in August. This surely has been the target for a long while and he can give the trainer back-to-back wins. He's got the early speed to dominate if allowed but Irad Ortiz can also save some if desired with the likes of Momos maybe eager to go on.
Stablemate After Five could emerge as one of the main threats but don't discount a bold showing either from Lipizzaner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore as the Europeans look for a fast start.
8.10 - Race 7 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf presented by Coolmore America (Grade 1, 1m, turf)
The Lir Jet hasn't really progressed as hoped since his Royal Ascot win in the Norfolk early in the summer. He's run well since in 6f Group-races in the UK and Ireland but is going into the unknown trip-wise now. He was staying on in the Middle Park at Newmarket last time, so if the mile suits an each-way claim at a fancy price isn't dismissed.
This race has been farmed by European trainers, with six of the last winners cross the Atlantic. Royal Lodge winner New Mandate is a strong candidate under Frankie Dettori but preference goes to CADILLAC for Jessica Harrington.
The Dewhurst didn't go to plan for him but his previous Leopardstown win over this trip on good ground was very taking, as was his debut win over 7f there in July. He should relish the quick surface here and looks a high-class performer on that ground.
Todd Pletcher's Mutasaabeq leads the home challenge but it will be a shock if this doesn't get the Europeans on the board and lightly-raced Battleground might be the main threat for Ballydoyle.
8.50 - Race 8 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1, 1m½f, dirt)
Four of these remain unbeaten and the standard is set by DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE, winner of the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park over a mile last month, holding off odds-on favourite Vequist in second spot.
The Timothy Hamm-trained winner had established a lead cornering for home and, despite the best efforts of Luis Saez on the second, maintained every inch of it on the run to the line, perhaps even saving a little something for herself. She looks sure to carry on progressing over this extra half-furlong.
Like the selection, Princess Noor is 3-3 for trainer Bob Baffert and a major threat following on from her easy Grade 2 success at Santa Anita in September. That was little more than a workout for her and she'll need to get ready to scrap this time.
9.30 - Race 9 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1, 1m turf)
Aunt Pearl was very impressive when making it 2-2 with a smooth success over C&D last month for Brad Cox. The Lope De Vega filly had things her own way, however, and faces a different challenge now upped into Grade 1 company and with the threat of Royal Ascot's Queen Mary and soft-ground Prix Morny scorer Campanelle challenging strongly for the lead under Frankie Dettori.
Wesley Ward's unbeaten contender is respected but the mile is unknown and, with the contested lead likely, has to be a worry. Lowther winner Miss Amulet has smart form in the book but is another tackling a mile for the first time - though her Cheveley Park effort gives hope.
With all the early pace, PLUM ALI might come fast and late to extend her unbeaten sequence to four and record a second Keeneland success. She's progressing with every outing and did the job well in the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont last time.
10.15 - Race 10 - TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (Grade 1, 1m½f, dirt)
The main event on day one and a race that revolves around JACKIE'S WARRIOR for trainer Steve Asmussen and rider Joel Rosario. The Maclean's Music colt is a perfect 4-4 so far and has been butchering the opposition in that sequence.
Most recently he put Reinvestment Risk to the sword in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park last month over a mile. There's an extra turn to negotiate now and a further half-furlong but he careered away in the stretch and look a solid proposition. He's bidding for a Grade 1 hat-trick and, unless he fluffs his lines, should make it.
The aforementioned Reinvestment Risk is a player, and may get close to the selection, while Sittin On Go overcame a nightmare trip to win the Grade 2 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs in September on only his second start and is sure to make further inroads for trainer Dale Romans on that evidence.
ODDS FOR THE BREEDERS CUP AVAILABLE HERE
18+BeGambleAware
ODDS ARE CORRECT AS OF 05/11/2020 HOWEVER ARE SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATIONS
