In the second part of his in-depth Breeders’ Cup analysis, Graham Dench runs the rule over the European challenge for Day Two
BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY – READ GRAHAM DENCH’S ANALYSIS
BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT
European record: 1 win from 14 races (7.1%)
Star turn
Notwithstanding the success of Glass Slippers at Keeneland two years ago, the visitors have learned to their cost how difficult it is to match the blistering speed of the home team in their own backyard. Last year’s winner Golden Pal, though beaten on all three trips to Europe, is likely to be hard to catch, but HIGHFIELD PRINCESS has made huge strides this year and comes here on the back of a hat-trick of wins in top European sprints at Deauville, York (beat Juvenile Turf Sprint fancy The Platinum Queen decisively) and the Curragh. She is remarkably versatile and, unlike many European sprinters, she is proven round a turn. Connections will be happy with stall six, but she has been on the go since February.
Support team
On their best form there is nothing between the Godolphin pair of Naval Crown (stall 9) and Creative Force (stall 1), who were first and second in Royal Ascot’s Platinum Jubilee Stakes over 6f in June. Neither has been seen to quite the same advantage lately; the faster the ground the better for Naval Crown, but Creative Force is more adaptable. Emaraaty Ana, representing the stable successful with Glass Slippers, was fourth to Golden Pal at Del Mar last year, while Go Bears Go was second in the Juvenile Turf Sprint the previous day. Both have good recent form. The filly Flotus has just come up short on all five starts at this level.
MAKER’S MARK BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF
European record: 10 wins from 23 races (43.5%)
Star turn
Chad Brown, strongly represented once again, has won four of the last 10 runnings, but the rest have gone to visitors. NASHWA, another good opportunity for Hollie Doyle, has a record at around 1m2f which is hard to fault, with G1 wins at Chantilly (French Oaks) and Goodwood and a more recent second at Longchamp, where she was caught close home after being kicked clear (Above the Curve almost upsides and Tuesday close sixth). She can be excused her Oaks third to Tuesday as the distance clearly stretched her. She seems to handle any ground and any track and should have a big chance.
Support team
Above The Curve’s trainer Joseph O’Brien is one up here on his father, Tuesday’s trainer Aidan, having won with Iridessa in 2017, but both of their fillies merit respect. Tuesday’s stablemate Toy was second in the Irish Oaks, but that race has not worked out and the balance of her form leaves her plenty to find. Mise En Scene has had a frustrating time since finishing down the field, though not beaten far, in the Juvenile Fillies Turf last year. Her latest run was her best.
FANDUEL BREEDERS’ CUP MILE PRESENTED BY PDJF
European record: 16 wins from 38 races (42.1%)
Star turn
Charlie Appleby won this with Space Blues 12 months ago and has a major chance of a repeat with MODERN GAMES, who had won the Juvenile Turf the previous day. A G1 winner again this year in the French 2,000 Guineas and the Woodbine Mile, where he impressed on his favoured fast ground, he was also an excellent second to the brilliant Baaeed – at the time was the TRC Global Rankings #1 – at Goodwood, and to shock winner Bayside Boy on ground softer than ideal at Ascot. This has been his long-term target and he should have a great chance, provided Ascot hasn’t taken the edge off him.
Support team
Order Of Australia led home a famous Aidan O’Brien 1-2-3 at Keeneland two years ago, but much of his subsequent form has been unconvincing and he was well held by Dreamloper when second in G1 at Longchamp run on much quicker ground than the official good to soft. A return to form is not impossible but Dreamloper, who loves quick ground and enjoyed another G1 wn in France earlier in the year, looks a bigger threat. Kinross and Pogo have long been viewed essentially as 7f specialists, but they are dangerous to underestimate and Kinross underlined his versatility with an impressive G1 6f win at Ascot last month. Malavath was second in the Juvenile Fillies Turf last year and looked to be running back into form when second to Kinross at Longchamp.
LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP TURF
European record: 24 wins from 38 races (63.2%)
Star turn
If the rest of the meeting has gone disappointingly there is always the Breeders’ Cup Turf, in which the visitors are traditionally favoured by their more regular competition in top-level races over the distance. Charlie Appleby, whose win with Yibir was his third on the Saturday card at Del Mar last year, has two leading chances with NATIONS PRIDE and Rebel’s Romance. It cannot have been an easy choice, but stable jockey William Buick has gone for one-time Derby hope Nations Pride, driven out to beat top domestic Mile contender Annapolis in the G1 Saratoga Derby before a runaway success in the valuable Jockey Club Derby at the recent ‘Belmont at the Big A’ meet. Rebel’s Romance has worked his way up the ranks and won his last four, including two G1s in Germany.
Support team
Back to his best, Mishriff would be a major player – and the booking of Frankie Dettori is an obvious plus here. However, connections may well regret not bringing him 12 months ago, after his six-length win in the Juddmonte International, because he hasn’t won this year and glimpses of his old form have been tarnished by occasional damagingly slow starts. Aidan O’Brien has enjoyed a record six wins in this race, but judged on their recent form Broome, who was second 12 months ago, and the younger Stone Age will struggle to make it seven for the stable.
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