Keeneland’s first Breeders’ Cup kicks off today with four championship races, highlighted by the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Listed below are my top five picks for all four of these races, including a featured longshot. It is sure to be an exciting day in the bluegrass!
1. Airoforce (#8): Undefeated in two starts, this talented colt certainly likes Keeneland’s turf, having easily won the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes over the course last out. Plus, the Mark Casse-Julien Leparoux combo certainly does well on Keeneland turf, too.
2. Cymric (#13): This Godolphin charge arrives from Europe off a close runner-up effort in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium on the Arc undercard. Prior to that, he was a stakes winner at Sandown Park.
3. Hit It a Bomb (#14): One of two Aidan O’Brien runners in this field, Hit It a Bomb was a runaway winner of a stakes at Dundalk in his last start. He is undefeated in two starts, but this is certainly his toughest test to date.
4. Camelot Kitten (#12): A gaining second behind Airoforce in the Bourbon last out, Camelot Kitten has shown a good turn of foot. Look for him late.
5. Ray’s the Bar (#7): In his first North American outing, which was his most recent start, this son of Exceed and Excel was a good third in the Grade 3 Pilgrim at Belmont. Chad Brown will have him primed and ready.
1. Liam’s Map (#3): The son of Liam’s Map made a splash at Saratoga this summer, running a bang-up second to Honor Code in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap before running away with the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes. He is extremely talented.
2. Wicked Strong (#8): Although he has not won since taking last year’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, Wicked Strong has been very consistent, finishing in-the-money in several graded stakes. A cut back in distance could be just what he needs.
3. Lea (#5): Lea has not found the winner’s circle since winning the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope in January, but he has been knocking at the door at racing’s highest level. Third in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup and a strong second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap, Lea was most recently a narrow second in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on the turf. A mile on the dirt is his cup of tea.
4. Bradester (#2): Bradester had a great summer at Monmouth, winning the Grade 3 Salvator Mile and the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup before a good second-place effort in the Grade 2 Philip Iselin Handicap. He will likely enjoy his return to the mile distance.
5. Valid (#10): Valid will be going for his third consecutive win, but facing a Breeders’ Cup field will certainly be a step up for him.
LONGSHOT: Street Strategy (#6): The winner of his past two starts by a combined 6 ½ lengths, Street Strategy will obviously be taking a huge step here. However, he likes Keeneland and could be improving off a layoff.
1. Illuminate (#10): It’s hard to go against this talented European filly, who enters off a strong runner-up effort in the Group 1 Connollys Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes. Prior to that, she won a pair of group stakes – including one at Royal Ascot. She has never raced beyond six furlongs, but the distance should not be a problem for her.
2. Alice Springs (#3): An easy winner of a stakes at Newmarket last out, this daughter of Galileo has run consistently well in group stakes this year but also will be stretching out for the first time.
3. Catch a Glimpse (#4): Conditioned by on-fire trainer Mark Casse, Catch a Glimpse appears to be North America’s best chance in this race. Most recently, she took the Grade 2 Natalma at Woodbine by five lengths.
4. Harmonize (#8): This Bill Mott trainee comes into the Breeders’ Cup off of a pair of stakes wins, most recently taking the Grade 3 Jessamine at Keeneland. That affinity for this course could come in handy.
5. Nemoralia (#5): Nemoralia’s first American start came last out in the Grade 1 Frizette over a sloppy track at Belmont, in which she finished a respectable second. Prior to that, she won a pair of stakes in Great Britain. She will have to step it up.
1. Wedding Toast (#7): While this mare’s ability to do well outside of New York is questionable, she has been better than ever this year. Winner of her last three races by a combined 11 ¾ lengths, if she can replicate any of those efforts, she will be tough to beat.
2. Sheer Drama (#14): This hard-knocking five-year-old has been brilliant this year, never finishing worse than second in seven starts. She enters the Distaff off of a pair of Grade 1 wins: the Delaware Handicap and the Personal Ensign. She has a poor draw, but she is a hard trier.
3. Got Lucky (#12): This daughter of A.P. Indy is as game as they come and has an all-important win over the Keeneland surface, having won the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes last out over 2014 Distaff champion Untapable.
4. I’m a Chatterbox (#1): This three-year-old filly is incredibly consistent, having finished in-the-money in all seven of her starts this year. Most recently, she was a clear winner of the Grade 1 Cotillion. She will be facing older for the first time.
5. Stopchargingmaria (#4): Another very consistent runner, Stopchargingmaria knows how to find the winner’s circle. She has raced at Keeneland on one occasion, finishing a good second in the Grade 1 Madison earlier this year.
