Some early thoughts to consider before the PP's come out.
This article will be updated daily.
Saturday November 2nd - Championships Saturday
Race 1 The Sunrise 10:05 am PDT 1:05 pm EDT
Race 2 Bayakoa Stakes 10:40 am PDT 1:40 pm EDT
Race 3 Goldikova Stakes 11:15 am PDT 2:15 pm EDT
Breeders Cup Races:
Race 4 BC Filly & Mare Sprint
DelMar 2021 Winner - Ce Ce Rear to Wire Final Time: 1:21.00
DelMar 2017 Winner - Bar of Gold Rear to Wire Final Time: 1:22.63
Overseas Contenders: Pandora's Gift (GB)
Race 5 BC Turf Sprint
DelMar 2021 Winner - Golden Pal Gate to Wire Final Time: 55.22
DelMar 2017 Winner - Stormy Liberal MidPack Final Time: 56.12
Overseas Contenders: Bradsell (GB) - Starlust (GB) - Pandora's Gift (IRE) - Believing (IRE) - Big Evs (GB) -
Isivunguvungu (SAF) - Aesop's Fables (IRE) - Star of Mystery
The South African wonder, Isivunguvungu, has multiple Grade One wins and is apparently sitting at his peak. He's been in training early down in Maryland after a very long quarantine and word is that he is now thriving since being let loose out of the stalls. He did win the DaHoss Stakes in his USA debut last out. Comparisons once PPs come out need to include this guy. He's trained by Graham Motion.
This race appears to be already wrapped up by the monster, Cogburn and most likely none on the field will overtake him. The Archie Watson trained Bradsell is having quite a year and Appleby's Star of Mystery seem to be two likely respectable overseas foes.
Start of the All Turf Pick 4 (50 cent minimum) - Includes Race 5, Race 7, Race 9 and Race 11
Race 6 BC Distaff
DelMar 2021 Winner - Marche Lorraine Rear to Wire Final Time: 1:47.67 Overseas
DelMar 2017 Winner - Forever Unbridled Rear to Wire Final Time: 1:50.25
Overseas Contenders: Awesome Result (JPN) - Che Evasora (ARG)
SCRATCHED: Awesome Result is one tough animal who will be competing against severe USA competition. She is trained by Yasutoshi Ikee and will be ridden by top Japanese jockey, Yutaka Take. This filly is UNBEATEN in 6 starts and she is a speedy daughter of Justify who has been responsible for several incredible superstar runners in this year's Breeder's Cup. She will be dropping down in distance from her latest win and should relish the conditions at DelMar.
Other than Awesome Result, who else could possibly compete against Thorpedo Annie at DelMar??
UPDATE: Just announced: Idiomatic is out of the Breeders Cup and is being retired.
Start of the All Dirt Pick 4 (50 cent minimum) - Includes Race 6, Race 8, Race 10 and Race 12
A video with the incredible Awesome Result: (WHAT A STRUT!)
Race 7 BC Turf
DelMar 2021 Winner - Yibir (Track Record) Rear to Wire Final Time: 2:25.90 Overseas
DelMar 2017 Winner - Talismanic (Track Record) Midpack Final Time: 2:26.19 Overseas
Overseas Contenders: Shahryar (JPN) - Rousham Park (JPN) - Rebels Romance (IRE) - Jayarebe (FR) - Los Angeles (IRE) - Luxembourg (IRE)
Rebel's Romance is one of those horses who is extremely lethal when he is on. Since the beginning of his career, he has always been a favorite here at the DHC but there was a time when you never knew which horse was gonna show up. The son of Dubawi has been on fire lately and should never be counted out. Since the mess in the Bowling Green Stakes back in May of 2023, he has won or hit the board in all 7 of his latest races. Most likely the favorite and lucky for him, Equinox is retired.
Hard to bet against any Aiden O'Brien trainees but form has been slipping a bit with Luxembourg and Los Angeles is still growing into his own. Still, a hard look is always in order when it comes to Aiden.
Race 8 BC Classic
DelMar 2021 Winner - Knicks Go Gate to Wire Final Time: 1:59.57
DelMar 2017 Winner - Gun Runner Gate to Wire Final Time: 2:01.29
Overseas Contenders: Ushba Tesoro (JPN) - Derma Sotogake (JPN) - Forever Young (JPN) - City of Troy (IRE)
Both times that the Breeders Cup has been run at DelMar, it has produced a loose on the lead winner. Looking at the overseas brigade, this fact corresponds greatest with City of Troy. Based on interviews, they intend to send him, however there is no guarantee that he will secure it. There is zero doubt in his ability to take it gate to wire while extending his speed the closer he gets to that stretch, however it is a major question if he can secure it in the first place.
Either way, City of Troy is the rare titan of a horse who has the opportunity to be listed among the very best of his kind. Names like Flightline, Equinox, Frankel, etc who simply demand respect. He is, by far, the best bred and best performing horse of the entire Breeders Cup weekend.
There is no denying the fact that Forever Young has the upper hand with dirt experience and killer performances but he doesn't compare with the charts. Long believed that this is a race between Aiden O'Brien and Yoshito Yahagi - the two top trainers in their respective countries.
The son of Tapit, Arthur's Ride will have his nose pointed for that lead also and if Fierceness manages a good break, he too will shoot for the spot as well. Arthur's Ride has stamina to burn regardless of pace, and Fierceness is on the cusp with much better late energy with a moderate pace.
Longshot Highland Falls does his best running when sitting close to the lead tier and he also has stamina to burn. This horse may be primed to shine, at the very least, a welcome higher odds addition to any superfecta. If he breaks well, he will continue to roll on that bias. Much will also depend on which gate Next decides to occupy so nothing can be done until this field is finally set and situated.
Ushba Tesoro will be pitted against Sierra Leone and if Ushba has finally gotten over his phobia for running in the heat, he holds the advantage on this bias for the late run between the two to grab a piece.
UPDATES:
As if this race wasn't loaded enough, Doug Cowans now confirms that Next will be in a BC Classic gate.
Mike Repole on Fierceness:
"Even though this is breaking news, Fierceness’s stallion rights were negotiated after the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to
@coolmoreamerica. I am staying in with a significant share in Fierceness’s breeding rights. The plan is to win the Breeders’ Cup and beat Coolmore’s City of Troy."
Bob Baffert after watching City of Troy, "I love the way he glides on this track, he's doing it effortlessly. If he breaks well, the sky is the limit. If I can't win it, I want Aiden to win it."
It is never a dull moment when it comes to Ushba Tesoro. NEVER!! Monday Morning:
City of Troy first gallop at DelMar. Tuesday Morning:
Race 9 BC Filly & Mare Turf
DelMar 2021 Winner - Loves Only You (1-3/8) Lead Tier Final Time: 2:13.87 Overseas
DelMar 2017 Winner - Wuheida (1-1/8) Lead Tier Final Time: 1:47.91 Overseas
Overseas Contenders: Alice Verite (JPN) - Emily Upjohn (GB) - Running Lion (GB) - Moira (CA) - Beach Bomb (SAF) - Full Count Felicia (CA) - Content (IRE) - Wingspan (IRE) - Ylang Ylang (IRE)
Running Lion is out of contention.
Race 10 BC Sprint
DelMar 2021 Winner - Aloha West Rear to Wire Final Time: 1:08.49
DelMar 2017 Winner - Roy H Lead Tier Final Time: 1:08.24
Overseas Contenders: Don Frankie (JPN) - Remake (JPN) - Meta Max (JPN)
Early news for this race is that The Chosen Vron will not be entered as originally planned. He is out of the race.
The lead runner in this race will dictate the eventual order of finish. Because of the bias, that lead will run the fastest he has ever gone, producing winning fractions in the vicinity of :21 :44 :56. With stamina on his side, he goes gate to wire. Exerting too much without the endurance, he hands it to the back.
Japan's Don Frankie and Remake are old rivals, meeting twice on the track and exchanging first and seconds trophies. These two will be in their own competition and both are very accomplished. Don Frankie runs for the front and he is a huge specimen of a horse which is slightly odd for a sprinter. Remake is a world traveler, so there should be no concern with his ability to fly and compete.
None-the-less, with the USA as the major producer in the speed department, the 3 overseas contenders enter a Sprint contest at a complete disadvantage. With Raging Torrent, Federal Judge, Straight No Chaser, and even Bentornato coming into his own on the speedy Parx track, this race will need to be highly scrutinized once the PPs and gate assignments are released. This one could turn out to be the hardest of the weekend.
Race 11 BC Turf Mile
DelMar 2021 Winner - Space Blues Lead Tier Final Time: 1:34.01 Overseas
DelMar 2017 Winner - World Approval Lead Tier Final Time: 1:34.55
Overseas Contenders: Geoglyph (JPN) - Ten Happy Rose (JPN) - Notable Speech (GB) - Mountain Bear (Scratched)
Porta Fortuna (IRE) - Raqiya (IRE) - Chili Flag (FR) - Ramatuelle (FR) - Diego Velazquez (Scratched)
The filly takes on the boys. Superstar Porta Fortuna (GB) trained by Donnacha O'Brien had never been off the board in 11 starts. She has won her last three races in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown (RPR 110), the Fallmouth Stakes at Newmarket (RPR 118) and the Coronation Stakes at Ascot (RPR 116). Important to note that her best performance with the RPR of 118, she was ridden by Ryan Moore while the other two were ridden by Marquand. Ryan Moore will be aboard Diego Velazquez for Aiden O'Brien this time around and Marquand retains the mount.
Chad Brown will let loose his Irish boy Carl Spackler with Gaffalione aboard. Unbeaten in his last three with consistent RPR's of 121 & 122 while on USA soil, this horse has produced 7 wins and 1 place in 10 starts. He is quick to the punch either stalking just behind the lead or taking it gate to wire. This is the one that demands major consideration.
The combination of Charles Appleby with jockey William Buick has won this race three years in a row with Master of the Seas (2023) and Modern Games (2022) and Space Blue (2021). He saddles the speedy Notable Speech this year. This horse is an "on again - off again" type who faltered in his last race. Appleby sited the ground as the perpetrator for the last upset. When Notable Speech is on and accepts the ground, he is capable of posting an RPR of 124 which is his best from two races back. At the moment, Notable Speech is the betting favorite overseas, just above Porta Fortuna.
Update: Mountain Bear is out. Diego Velazquez has been scratched.
William Buick on Notable Speech: "He is tailor made for a two turn race over here. I have huge respect for Porta Fortuna, she ran well here last year and has that experience, but we're here and obviously we have a chance."
Race 12 BC Dirt Mile
DelMar 2021 Winner - Life is Good Gate to Wire Final Time: 1:34.12
DelMar 2017 Winner - Battle of Midway Midpack Final Time: 1:35.20
Overseas Contenders: T O Saint Denis (JPN) - Mufasa (CHI)- Full Serrano (ARG)
The big guys up front: Saudi Crown, Skippylongstocking, Seize the Grey and Domestic Product should have it their way out front.
With the always advantaged USA heavy-hitters in this race it doesn't seem any from overseas would have a fighting chance but it is always a good idea to at least see if any peak interest.
T O Saint Denis from Japan did not run on this side of the ocean until the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs. The longshot did manage to take home a second place trophy for his effort at odds of 27 to 1. He was beaten by First Mission, but it is important to note that the track was very sloppy that day. Even so, the horse ran a very good race coming off of an 89 day layoff. This time around, yet another first run after long layoff - he hasn't run since May - could be a bad thing or could be his best way of running!
Mufasa is a Chilean horse who is the son of Practical Joke. He has competed in the USA on three separate occasions, winning his last two, which includes the Vosburgh. The track bias at Aqueduct suited him well. Much different at DelMar.
Full Serrano has competed two times on our soil and they just so happen to be at DelMar. Last seen grabbing a second place trophy in the 10f Pacific Classic, and prior to that, winning an Allowance at 8f. This guy will be loading into a gate that is way out of his league in the speed department.
Diego Velazquez scratched out of the Mile Turf.
We will be posting a "Head to Head" with Brian, Gerard and Lisa for the Breeder's Cup Classic this year! Look out for the article hopefully sometime on Thursday.
Idiomatic out of the Distaff and National Treasure out of the Dirt Mile.