Yesterday at the Breeders’ Cup didn’t go to plan for the column, but the fancies over jumps performed well today.
The Real Whacker and Our Champ delivered at Wetherby and Ascot respectively to put the column in good profit for the weekend.
So, let’s roll on with today’s Breeders’ Cup selections.
19:00 Del Mar – Frost At Dawn @ 20/1 with Bet365 (3 places) – 1pt EW
I’m not an expert when it comes to dirt racing, but Frost At Dawn is certainly interesting in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
The booking of Frankie Dettori is eye-catching and she has some nice form in the book, notably when winning in Meydan earlier this year.
She beat Star Of Mystery that day who went on to place in two Group 1s and a Group 2 subsequently.
She won easily that day and the fourth, Ponntos, was a fine fifth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes subsequently.
Although Frost At Dawn has raced mainly on the turf, she has some fine experience on dirt, notably when second at Meydan in December.
I think she has plenty of ability and her form is working out nicely.
She also has a nice draw in one and gets weight from her elders, so she’s worth a chance at a big price.
21:01 Del Mar – Emily Upjohn @ 5/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
It’s a case of last chance saloon for Emily Upjohn this evening, though there is reason to think she can return to her best.
Firstly, Frankie Dettori returns to the saddle and secondly, she gets to run on quick ground.
When was the last time she had these conditions? At Epsom last year when rocketing home in the Group 1 Coronation Cup.
The second, Westover, won a Group 1 on his next start and then finished second in both the King George at Ascot and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
As for her form this season, she travelled like the winner in the Yorkshire Oaks but didn’t find much. Her finishing effort was disappointing, but she arguably got to the front too early that day.
On her last start, she finished a staying on third to the subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking, so the form is there.
22:25 Del Mar – Content @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
There’s a chance that Content could be too good in the Filly & Mare.
As mentioned, she won the Yorkshire Oaks on good to firm ground and she also finished fourth at the Breeders’ Cup last year on firm ground.
So, there’s hope she’ll handle the ground nicely, and there’s a lot to like about her form.
She finished a staying on third to Bluestocking and Emily Upjohn in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June.
Furthermore, Mistral Star, who finished fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks, finished third in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu to further frank the form of the race.
She has a good chance tonight if she settles early as she can get quite hot-headed.
23:45 Del Mar – Notable Speech @ 9/4 with Coral – 2pt Win
The Mile looks like a good race and Porta Fortuna is a formidable opponent, but Notable Speech has greatly impressed me this season.
His Guineas success speaks for itself, though it’s worth reminding what the form of the race looks like.
Subsequently, Rosallion won two Group 1s, Haatem won the Group 3 Jersey Stakes, Ghostwriter finished third in Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International, and Inisherin won the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup.
Notable Speech won a fine renewal of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes two starts later and the third, Facteur Cheval, chased home Charyn in the QEII last month.
He looks like the type who will really appreciate fast-paced American racing as he has a high cruising speed and a good turn of foot.
He’s smart, and I hope he shows that tonight.
