Is the third time the charm for Stellar Wind in the Breeders' Cup Distaff? Will Elate and Abel Tasman settle their battle in the 3-year-old division? We'll find out Friday at Del Mar on what should be an exciting first day of the 2017 championships.
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Race 1-Damascus Stakes (Grade 2), 7 furlongs, 3 & up
#1 Silent Bird won this race last year and has been training well
coming into this year’s edition. He will get plenty of pace to run into, and
with the addition of blinkers he should get the jump on the other closers. #5 Americanize
ran well over the surface last July following a 4-month layoff, and has 2 solid
works after a dazzling effort last out. #6 Mr. Hinx fell a length short to BC
Sprint contender Roy H in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (Grade 1) last
month at 41-1. It looks like there’s other early speed that could soften him up
late though.
Selections 1-5-6
Race 2-$40,000 O/C, 1 1/16
miles turf, 3 & up
In a race loaded with early speed, #4 Temple
Keys is the strongest closer in the race, but returns from a May break where he
was pulled up. He’s been working regularly for this, and trainer Baltas is 18%
off the layoff. #2 Fritz Johansen broke slow back on 10/14, but made up considerable
ground at this level. He must be included in all spots of vertical wagers. #11
Ritzy A.P. likes to be hit the board, but will be over-bet in the win pool. A
definite contender, but don’t take anything less than 5/1.
Selections 4-2-11
Race 3-$40,000 O/C, 7 furlongs,
3 & up
#2 City of Light is the fastest and most versatile runner in the
field. Look for him to sit a perfect trip behind the speed ball, #1 Prime
Issue. #10 Dabster is an undefeated son of Curlin, but hasn’t been seen since
January. He’s working once a week since late August, and appears ready
according to his “breezing” workout last week, a designation rarely given out
by Californian clockers. #1 Prime Issue is the speed of the speed, but has
trouble with the distance. Expect him to contend for minor awards as he gives
way in the late stages.
Selections 2-10-1
Race 4-Golden State Juvenile,
7 furlongs, 2 year old fillies
#6 Pulpit Rider has been ultra-impressive in 2
starts since drawing the rail on debut. The added furlong doesn’t appear to be
a factor for the stalker that should get enough pace to run into. #1 One Fast
Broad is back sprinting on the dirt following 2 turf routes. His speed figures
make him dangerous here and already owns a victory over the Del Mar dirt. #3 Ismelucky
has done nothing wrong in 3 starts, and rates a big chance from just off the
pace.
Selections 6-1-3
Race 5-Marathon Stakes (Grade
2), 1 3/4 miles, 3 & up
#7 Hard Aces was second in this race last year, owns some of the
best figures in the field and is the only true marathoner of the bunch. He
appears dominant in a field of runners who may not want to go this far. Considering
this race projects a strong early pace, look for #8 Dressed in Hermes to be
running on latest of all and grab a piece. #1 Archanova has stretched out to
the marathon trip in his last 2 with moderate success.
Selections 7-8-1
Race 6-Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Fillies Turf, 1 mile turf, 2 year old fillies
#11 Rushing Fall hails from the Chad Brown barn and has been
flawless in 2 starts. She’s closed in slow paces and handled soft & firm
going, while putting up lofty speed figures. A quicker pace than normal would
only further help her chances. #2 Happily scored against males last out in
France for trainer Aiden O’Brien. She is a main contender and will deservedly challenge
the top pick for favoritism. #8 Significant Form is also undefeated in 2 starts
for Brown. Though virtually looking the same on paper, when watching her run,
she doesn’t possess the same turn of foot as her stablemate.
Selections 11-2-8
Race 7-Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile,
1 mile, 3 & up
#8 Accelerate was 3rd in the Dirt
Mile last year as an inexperienced 3 year old. This year he’s gotten much
faster, as evidenced by his defeat of Arrogate over this surface on 7/22. He
loves Del Mar, will sit just off the hot early pace and get first crack on them
turning for home. #3 Sharp Azteca is the speed of the speed. If no one
challenges him early, he will be very dangerous. #2 Giant Expectations gets an advantageous
draw along the inside and will sit a nice mid-pack trip while saving ground. It
should be noted he is the only Breeders’ Cup mount for hall of fame jockey,
Gary Stevens.
Selections 8-3-2
Race 8-Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Turf, 1 mile turf, 2 year olds
Another Chad Brown juvenile, #8 Voting Control, was hampered by a
slow early pace last out when rallying late to run second in the Pilgrim Stakes
(Grade 2) at Belmont. Irish-bred #7 James Garfield is a Group 2 winner that
will flourish at a mile. Look for him to sit a good trip just behind the early
leaders. #6 Masar’s only defeats have come at the hands of 2 Juvenile Fillies
Turf starters (Happily and September). It’s been reported he doesn’t care for
soft ground, so expect improvement off that last effort.
Selections 8-7-6
Race 9-Breeders’ Cup Distaff, 1
1/8 miles, F & M 3 & up
#5 Elate’s last 2 figures are faster than any race anyone in the
field has run, except for Paradise Woods’s race in the Santa Anita Oaks back in
April. She is coming in to this race in tip-top shape and looks to give trainer
Bill Mott his 6th victory in the race. #6 Forever Unbridled hasn’t
been seen since August when she defeated future Hall of Famer Songbird. She loves
the distance, owns the best late pace figures in the field and has been
training great for this spot. #7 Paradise Woods must outrun #1 Charmpagne Room
early to gain control of the race, and if that happens she can be a threat to
take them wire to wire.
Selections 5-6-7
Race 10-Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes.
(Grade 3), 5 furlongs turf, F & M 3 & up
#9 Long Hot Summer was a stakes winner over the
course last summer and excels at the distance. With an abundance of early speed
signed on, look for her to be flying late. #2 Belvoir Bay has only been out of
the exacta once in 4 tries in at today’s distance. Love the favorable inside
draw and looks to sit just off the pace, while getting top grass rider Flavian
Prat. #5 Vigor was caught last out when setting the past at Belmont going 6
furlongs. Looks like a major player with the cutback in distance.
Selections 9-2-5
