COMMEMORATE THE WAR AT SANTA ANITA

Tonight/today (depending on where you live) sees day one of the two day Breeders Cup meeting, held once again at Santa Anita. There's a nice mixture of American and European horses which make for some mouthwatering races. There are four races to be analysed so without further ado...


Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1)

The British battalion look strong in this race. Charlie Hills' COMMEMORATIVE has progressed with every race, the last of which being an impressive victory in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes. The form of that race looks fairly strong and he should be able to make his presence felt here. Aidan O'Brien always does well with his horses in this race and WAR ENVOY could well be capable of extending the master of Ballydoyle's run of good finishers. He has been highly tried this year but he always seems to run a good race. His last two runs, (the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Jean-Luc Lagadere at Longhchamp) have both suggested that the mile would suit, as he has stayed on towards the end of the race whilst running good races in the process. There are major doubts as to whether Hootenanny's stamina will hold out, the rest of the American horses look much of a muchness looking at their form. All horses that have won this have had at least three races which would rule out the Godolphin owned, American trained Imperia.

Commemorative (pink hat)

War Envoy (foreground)

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1)

Goldencents should prove too good for these but he is not a price that I would be interested in. As for the rest, FED BIZ has got some winning form over the favourite so could be the best of the rest. Tapiture could also prove a danger although he may be slightly out of his depth here.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1)

In this race, I think it's the European horses that look a little short of what's required. Qualify's form does not look overly strong and may struggle from the widest draw of all whilst Osaila's past performances also do not look good enough to beat a few of these, namely SUNSET GLOW. She ran very well behind top 2 year old filly Cursory Glance at Royal Ascot and has run well in her races since that. Her form looks head and shoulders above the rest and should be right there at the finish. Another horse who may run well is RAINHA DA BATERIA. Her win at Keeneland last time out shows she is in good form and could surprise a few at a double figured price.

Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1)

It was very tough choosing between UNTAPPABLE and Close Hatches in this but I've gone for the former, purely because Close Hatches' poor run last time out has to be a big worry. Their form is very even but Untappable's partnership with Rosie Napravnik is solid and she has held all fillies before her that she has raced against, the only time she was beaten was against male horses. At a price, the consistent TIZ MIDNIGHT could also be worth noting. Her form is not far behind the leading two.


Hope everybody enjoys the racing


Happy Punting!