2011 Breeders’ Cup Saturday Selections
November 4th, 2011By Jude T. Feld
3rd Race) BRIGANTIN beat recent Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Dunaden in a Grade 2 race earlier this year and seems to have too much class for this field. A.U. MINER enjoys these marathons and has looked great in the mornings at Churchill. PLEASANT PRINCE trained like a freak at Keeneland but has never run this far.
4th Race) LUCKY CHAPPY is training the best of the “Americans†and had a horrible trip in his U.S. debut. No mistakes this afternoon. FINALE has developed into a very solid racehorse and has a big look despite his horrible post. ANIMAL SPIRITS is another nice colt who trained very well this week. He could easy be part of the trifecta.
5th Race) HAMAZING DESTINY loves this track and worked lights out for this race. FORCE FREEZE is a lot better than his morning line indicates. He should run well again. GIANT RYAN has won six in-a-row. He has a great pressing style and would not be a surprise.
6th Race) HOOFIT is in great form for sharp trainer Graham Motion. Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado enhances the chances of him getting a successful trip. HAVELOCK worked super at Churchill after his big Keeneland victory. Another good effort is forthcoming. CARACORTADO and CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE both training great but are hung out way wide.
7th Race) IRREFUTABLE is on the improve for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and blew out well at Churchill. WILBURN could post a mild upset here if he continues his upward swing. THE FACTOR has been training aggressively but drew the rail once again.
8th Race) SEA MOON has all the Europeans buzzing and has looked well in the mornings. SARAFINA is a top-class filly will be hard to beat if she runs one of her better races. MIDDAY gets her preferred turf conditions and is impossible to ignore.
9th Race) UNION RAGS is this year’s version of Uncle Mo – Big, imposing, fast and doing well. DRILL is working well after his second-place finish in the Norfolk (G1), a race he may have needed. PROSPECTIVE has caught the eye in the mornings. It would not be a shocker to see him run a big race.
10th Race) GOLDIKOVA is everyone’s target as she bids for her fourth straight Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). She looks better than ever in the mornings. TURALLURE is the now horse and is training like a bomb. GIO PONTI is doing very well. He could take down the top prize if he stays out of trouble. COURAGEOUS CAT has made a good impression in his training and has the class to be a major force here.
11th Race) DROSSELMEYER is a better horse than a lot of people think. He has worked well leading up to the Classic and that is about all you can ask for. UNCLE MO has a legion of haters but he has the most ability of any horse in the race. If he can get the distance off his abbreviated schedule the field better watch out. TO HONOR AND SERVE is also a colt of much talent. He has galloped and worked well for the Classic.
