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Race 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

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Race 7 Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

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Race 8 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

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Race 9 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff

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Jennifer Caldwell

Race 9 Profiles

1 – I’m a Chatterbox (8-1)

I’m a Chatterbox is a very good bet at 8-1 on the morning line. The chestnut miss has suffered just one unplaced run in her 10-race career, and that came last year at Churchill Downs in the Golden Rod S. (G2). Since then the Kentucky homebred has gone on to sweep the three-year-old filly stakes over the spring at Fair Grounds, run third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and, most recently, take the Cotillion S. (G1) in her final major prep for this race. In between the Oaks and Cotillion I’m a Chatterbox also posted a nose victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), though she was disqualified to second, and finished second in the Alabama S. (G1). Her numbers have remained consistent throughout the year and she has the added advantage of trainer Larry Jones in her corner. Discount a Jones filly in the Breeders’ Cup at your own peril.

2 – Frivolous (30-1)

Frivolous has put together a decent, if inconsistent, year. She started off poorly before recording a trio of triple-digit BRIS Speed numbers when sandwiching a second in the Delaware H. (G1) between wins in the Fleur de Lis H. (G2) and Locust Grove S. Her biggest knock is her Keeneland record. She finished fourth in the Spinster S. (G1) over the track last out, bringing her line to 1-1-1 from five efforts at the venue. She truly seems to do her best running at Churchill. Frivolous will be the second Breeders’ Cup starter for trainer Victoria Oliver, who saddled Forest Legend to a fourth-place finish in the 2010 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) at 73-1.

3 – Salama (50-1)

Salama earned her shot in the Distaff via a June 21 “Win & You’re In” race in Peru, and her connections immediately shipped her stateside to begin acclimating in trainer Charles LoPresti’s barn. The sophomore miss was even given a race over track and distance just three weeks ago on October 10. She ran second that day against allowance/optional claiming rivals, which either was a paid workout or a testament of where she really ranks against the Distaff field. That will be determined on Friday, but it should be noted Salama only earned an 88 BRIS Speed rating that day.

4 – Stopchargingmaria (5-1)

With four starts under her girth, Stopchargingmaria appears to be coming into the Distaff fresh. She’s faced off against her rivals all year long, reputing herself well with a 2-1-0 line. Her biggest knock is that she comes from the barn of Todd Pletcher, who shows seven wins, 12 seconds and 13 thirds from 108 starters in the Breeders’ Cup. That’s not a very good win percentage, though it does bode well for her getting a top-three placing (29.6 % in the money). Stopchargingmaria also earned her highest BRIS Speed rating to date (105) when running a half-length second in the seven-furlong Madison S. (G1) in her seasonal debut at Keeneland, which was also her first taste of the Lexington, Kentucky, track. A re-run of that effort could see Pletcher’s top-three percentage get a boost.

5 – Calamity Kate (30-1)

Calamity Kate has also run four times this year, scoring in an allowance/optional claimer at Monmouth Park while making her seasonal bow on May 17 and earning a first stakes win via the July 11 Delaware Oaks (G3). The Kelly Breen pupil also led the way early in the Cotillion S. (G1) before being forced to settle for second after passed by I’m a Chatterbox. The bay miss has never cracked the triple-digit BRIS Speed ratings ranks and doesn’t seem likely to on Friday, which is almost a requirement to win the Distaff.

6 – My Sweet Addiction (20-1)

A career primarily spent in Southern California could end up hurting My Sweet Addiction’s chances in the Distaff. The bay mare didn’t ship in early, so Kentucky’s cool, damp fall climate will probably be quite a shock to her system after the dry heat on the West Coast. The Martin Jones trainee has already been well beaten by others in this field and is probably in the Distaff only because she ran second to Beholder in the Zenyatta S. (G1) last out.

7 – Wedding Toast (4-1)

Wedding Toast brings a three-race win streak into the Distaff after taking the Ruffian S. (G2), Ogden Phipps S. (G1) and Beldame S. (G1) by easy margins at Belmont Park. Prior to those three, however, the five-year-old mare was fourth in the Madison S. (G1) in her one-and-only race at Keeneland thus far. It could be the Godolphin colorbearer wanted more ground than that seven-furlong contest except for the fact that she opened her 2015 campaign with a nice seven-furlong stakes win at Gulfstream Park. Wedding Toast will have to prove herself over the track, and is another who is shipping in late to the party.

8 – Curalina (12-1)

Curalina ran up a trio of wins at the start of her season during the spring, including the one-mile Acorn S. (G1) in early June. She then was awarded the win in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) via I’m a Chatterbox’s disqualification to bring that to four straight. Since then, the Todd Pletcher trainee has been third in the Alabama S. (G1) and second in the Beldame S. (G1). Boasting a start against her elders could come in handy for the sophomore miss, and her morning-line odds may prove more wishful thinking than her actual price come race time.

9 – Stellar Wind (12-1)

Stellar Wind was sent off the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) following a pair of easy wins in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Santa Ysabel S. (G3) over the winter and early spring. However, the John Sadler-trained chestnut encountered early trouble and lost all chance at the beginning of the Kentucky Oaks. She still rallied from well out of it – around 10 lengths behind the leader entering the stretch – to be fourth on the wire. Stellar Wind was given a brief freshening after that disappointment and returned to take the Summertime Oaks (G2) and Torrey Pines S. (G3). The sophomore filly is coming into the Distaff very fresh and could easily outrun her odds.

10 – Yahilwa (20-1)

Yahilwa has been running against older members of the Distaff field all year long. Though only showing one win on the season in the Sixty Sails H. (G3) in April at Hawthorne, she visited the top three in a trio of other races, including a neck third in the Spinster S. (G1) over track and distance last out. The James Cassidy charge also earned only the second triple-digit BRIS Speed rating (103) of her career in that first try at Keeneland, which is encouraging at 20-1 on the morning line.

11 – Untapable (5-1)

Withdrawn due to fever

12 – Got Lucky (6-1)

Got Lucky has had a very good year, racking up a 4-2-0 mark from seven starts, including her most recent win in the Spinster S. (G1) going the Distaff distance of 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland. The four-year-old filly didn’t receive much Breeders’ Cup attention before the Spinster after spending her spring and summer at Monmouth Park. While there Got Lucky captured the Molly Pitcher S. (G3) by 5 1/2 lengths and the Lady’s Secret S. by 4 1/2 lengths, then moved over to Belmont Park for a rallying second in the Personal Ensign S. (G1). The dark bay miss may get overlooked as yet another Todd Pletcher entrant in this field.

13 – Warren’s Veneda (30-1)

Warren’s Veneda made her name trying to run against Beholder early in the year. After easy wins in the Santa Maria S. (G2) and Santa Margarita S. (G1), her connections were hoping for a match up in the Vanity S. (G1) in early May. Alas, Beholder stayed in the barn after running a fever and Warren’s Veneda ended up finishing third to My Sweet Addiction. The long awaited face off occurred in the Adoration S. (G3) in mid-June, with Beholder prevailing under a hand ride. The duo matched up two more times – in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) and Zenyatta S. (G1) – with Beholder winning both while Warren’s Veneda finished third and seventh, respectively.

14 – Sheer Drama (9-2)

Sheer Drama deserves her 9-2 morning-line after going 7-3-4-0 this year while facing nothing but graded rivals. The David Fawkes-trained five-year-old improved leaps and bounds over last year, and proved it with wins in the Personal Ensign S. (G1), Delaware H. (G1) and Royal Delta S. (G2). Sandwiched between those were seconds in the La Troienne S. (G1) and Fleur de Lis H. (G2). Sheer Drama strung together five straight triple-digit BRIS Speed figures over the spring and summer, and has been working bullets at Gulfstream Park to ready for the Distaff.

15 – Peace and War (30-1)

Peace and War may now draw into the Distaff field with the defection of Untapable. The Graham Motion pupil has had a relatively light year, running just four times and only three of them for Motion after staring off the season under the tutelage of Olly Stevens. She was third in the Cotillion S. (G1) last out, though, and began her stateside career in 2014 with a win at Keeneland in the Alcibiades S. (G1) during the fall meet.

Jennifer Caldwell

Race 9 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Selections


With Untapable out of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) due to a low-grade fever – and Beholder skipping the race altogether in favor of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) one day later before, herself, scratching on Thursday – this year’s Ladies’ Classic is coming up pretty evenly matched. With that in mind, price is the name of the game in terms of selections.

1: I’M A CHATTERBOX (8-1) is one of the six sophomore fillies entered in the 14-strong Distaff and could be overlooked amongst such a selection. The chestnut miss began her 2015 season by sweeping Fair Grounds’ three stakes for sophomore fillies heading into the Kentucky Oaks (G1), where she found herself running well behind early before rallying five wide in the stretch to be third on the wire. I’m a Chatterbox was gaining ground on the top two, but just ran out of room late. The Kentucky-bred filly was given a brief freshening and returned to post a front-running nose score in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) before being disqualified in that one to second after brushing a rival in the lane. A second in the Alabama S. (G1) followed at Saratoga, and I’m a Chatterbox will enter the Distaff off a nice two-length victory in the Cotillion S. (G1) on September 19. That should set the talented filly up perfect for Friday’s race, and one can’t ignore the presence of trainer Larry Jones in her corner either. Ignore that conditioner with a distaffer at your own peril.

2: STELLAR WIND (12-1) is another of the three-year-olds in the Distaff and could also be missed. The John Sadler charge is lightly raced, boasting a 7-5-0-1 career mark thus far, but has accumulated most of that this season. She started off in stakes in February, taking the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) and the April 4 Santa Anita Oaks (G1), before shipping to the Bluegrass State for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). The chestnut lass earned favoritism in the Run for the Lilies after her romping Santa Anita Oaks score, but seemed to lose all chance when bobbling at the start and finding herself in the rear of the field on May 1. Stellar Wind still managed to rally late for fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, and returned in June to record a nose triumph in the Summertime Oaks (G2) back at her Santa Anita base. She was given another freshening after that contest and brings a 4 1/4-length score in the Torrey Pines S. (G3) into her Distaff try.

3: GOT LUCKY (6-1) has gone 7-4-2-0 on the year, with her most impressive win coming last out when getting her neck in front of Untapable to take the Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland. That garnered the four-year-old miss an automatic berth to the Distaff via the “Win & You’re In” Challenge series, and the Todd Pletcher trainee could take full advantage on Friday. Got Lucky has really come on this year, also taking the Molly Pitcher S. (G3) and Lady’s Secret S. at Monmouth Park while placing in the Personal Ensign S. (G1) prior to the Spinster. She may be peaking at just the right time under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Longshot: YAHILWA (20-1) boasts just one win this year, with that coming in the Sixty Sails H. (G3) at Hawthorne in mid-April, but the bay mare has earned a couple of nice placings of late. Most recent of those was a neck third in the Spinster S. (G1) over track and 1 1/8-mile distance on October 4, and she’s been firing bullets at Keeneland ever since. The James Cassidy-trained five-year-old just might light up the toteboard to conclude Breeders’ Cup Friday.

Jennifer Caldwell

Race 6 Selections

Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) drew 14 plus one also-eligible, and the one-mile grass contest looks ripe for a price winner. Three of the entrants are coming from overseas, but I like a Woodbine shipper who has already acclimated to the Kentucky weather.

1: CONQUEST DADDYO (12-1) may appear more like a longshot at 12-1 on the morning-line, but the Mark Casse trainee looks poised for a big run on Friday. The dark bay colt captured his debut before returning three weeks later to be a half-length second in the Vandal S., both over Woodbine’s synthetic Polytrack. He made his turf bow on September 12 in the Summer S. (Can-G2), but broke a step slow and found himself running in the rear of the field under returning jockey Joe Bravo. Conquest Daddyo was nearly eight lengths behind the leader on the backstretch and Bravo got busy on the colt nearing the turn. He circled the entire field and powered to the front, eventually holding the re-opposing Sky Marshal by 1 3/4 lengths on the wire. That win netted Conquest Daddyo a 94 BRIS Speed rating, and anything near that type of effort on Friday could see the Ontario-bred colt back in the winner’s circle.

2: AIROFORCE (4-1) is a stablemate to Conquest Daddyo, also coming from the Casse barn, and is also the top choice’s biggest problem in the Breeders’ Cup. The gray juvenile is two-for-two thus far, both on the turf and both worth BRIS Speed ratings in the 90s. Airoforce easily broke his maiden at Kentucky Downs in early September by 3 1/4 lengths, and returned October 4 at Keeneland to earn his way into the Juvenile Turf via a 2 1/2-length score in the Bourbon S. (G3). That 1 1/16-mile contest came over a yielding course at Keeneland, experience that only enhances Airoforce’s chances under regular rider Julien Leparoux on Friday.

3: CYMRIC (7-2) is one of the international runners who shipped in for this race, and he could end up shipping home with some extra hardware (i.e. trophy). Trained by John Gosden, the bay colt has racked up a 2-1-1 mark from five starts already this season. After earning his first victory in July at Sandown, the Kentucky-bred traveled to York for a third-place effort in the Acomb S. (Eng-G3). Cymric captured his next race back at Sandown before shipping to Longchamp in France for a neck second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Fr-G1), and enters the Juvenile Turf off that encouraging effort going a mile.

Longshot: RAY’S THE BAR (20-1) could find himself in the mix late for trainer Chad Brown. The bay colt is a tad low on his BRIS numbers, but parlayed a debut head victory at Ascot in July into a half-length third last out in the Pilgrim S. (G3). Only two necks separated the British-bred colt from the win that day after he ran in the back of the field early and bullied his way through traffic just yards from the wire. Ray’s the Bar was briefly in front before hitting the wire nearly in tandem with the winner and second-place finisher, and he could surprise here with another stubborn rally.

Jennifer Caldwell

Race 8 Selections

Just like the Juvenile Turf (G1), Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) drew a full field of 14 plus one listed on the also-eligible list. The one-mile grass affair looks to be pretty competitive and includes four overseas runners.

1: CATCH A GLIMPSE (5-1) comes from the ever successful Mark Casse barn and could finally give her trainer a first Breeders’ Cup win. The chestnut lass is two-for-two on turf, having been unplaced in her debut in an off-the-turf contest at Saratoga before heading to Casse’s Woodbine base to break her maiden in an allowance on August 22 going seven furlongs. She stretched out to the Juvenile Fillies Turf distance of a mile last out in the Natalma S. (Can-G2) and wired the 10-strong field that day by an easy five lengths. Florent Geroux was aboard for the Natalma and the hot-riding jockey retains the mount on Friday.

2: ALICE SPRINGS (6-1) is one of the international contingent and enters the race for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The chestnut miss has gone 6-2-1-1 thus far in her career, but among her unplaced efforts is a 1 1/4-length fourth-placing in the Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket on September 26. She returned to take a rich Tattersalls-alum restricted race by four lengths on October 3, and will be getting Lasix for the first time on Friday. All in all, a pretty attractive wager under Ryan Moore.

3: ILLUMINATE (9-2) was runner-up in the Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket, finishing a half-length behind the winner while just a head and three parts of a length in front of Alice Springs. The Richard Hannon pupil suffered her first loss in that contest after taking, among other things, the Duchess of Cambridge S. (Eng-G2) and Albany S. (Eng-G3). That latter race came during the Royal Ascot meeting in June, so the Irish-bred bay is no stranger to the excitement surrounding huge days and she gets Frankie Dettori back in the irons.

Longshot(s): I couldn’t decide between TIN TYPE GIRL and THRILLED (both 12-1 on morning line) so am going with both as longshot plays. The duo were only separated by a nose in the Miss Grillo S. (G3) at Belmont Park on September 27, with Tin Type Girl getting the win after hooking Thrilled in the shadow of the wire. She brought a maiden win into that contest while Thrilled was second in the P.G. Johnson S. prior to the Miss Grillo. Either one could pop up once again in the lane at Keeneland.

James Scully

Race 7 Selections

Have gone back and forth with what to do with Liam’s Map – the same horse from the Whitney (G1) and Woodward (G1) threatens to run the competition off their feet but the natural spot for the 1 1/8-mile star appeared to be the Classic (G1), where the son of Unbridled’s Song wouldn’t be the only horse trying 10 furlongs for the first time (Honor Code is the most notable). The lightly-raced 4-year-old colt shows an 11-day gap between recent works and I’m questioning whether he’ll show up in the same form as we witnessed at Saratoga. Liam’s Map will be used in multi-race wagers but at extremely short odds (even-money morning line), I’ll try to beat him for the top spot.

1ST: RED VINE (6-1) brings a string of seven consecutive triple-digit BRIS Speed ratings into the Dirt Mile, posting figs of 104-107-106 during a three-race stretch at or near the same distance, and he may have been best in the Kelso H. (G2) last out, stumbling and getting squeezed back at the start before rallying for runner-up honors. The Christophe Clement trainee figures to receive a ground-saving trip from his rail post, just behind the early speed with Joel Rosario, and he can pounce in the latter stages.

2ND: LIAM’S MAP (even) could get clear in the early stages and prove impossible to run down, but there is speed to his inside in Bradester and to the outside in Mr. Z and Valid. Those rivals don’t want to allow the heavy favorite an uncontested advantage and Liam’s Map could be softened up a little for the top choice. The Todd Pletcher charge remains very dangerous, with a 3-for-3 mark at the distance and terrific BRIS numbers, but he’ll offer no value and questions linger entering the race.

3RD: LEA (8-1) is also three-for-three at the distance and the Grade 1 winner finished third in the Dubai World Cup (G1) earlier this year. However, trainer Bill Mott entered the 6-year-old as first preference for the Mile on turf following a runner-up in the September 13 Woodbine Mile (G1), with the Dirt Mile as a back-up plan, and ultimately decided the former was too tough for Lea. The chestnut has not displayed much tactical speed in recent starts and never fired finishing a well-beaten sixth in his last dirt attempt (Whitney). Lea possesses plenty of back class, but he could leave himself too much to do from off the pace and I’m not sure whether he’s sharp enough presently to offer his best.

Longshot: STREET STRATEGY (50-1) has the look of a live longshot for the exotics. The improving four-year-old exits a pair of nice wins over allowance foes, including a smart performance over the track and distance where he offered an eye-catching turn of foot on the far turn. He’ll be tested for class in this spot, but I’ll include Street Strategy underneath in the vertical exotics.

Vance Hanson

He might not be classy enough to best the European invaders in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), but HIGHLAND SKY (#5, 30-1) did not get a proper run in the Pilgrim (G3) at Belmont Park last out. Advancing around the far turn along with eventual winner Isotherm, Highland Sky lost all momentum a furlong out when forced to check. Meanwhile, Isotherm’s bid from the back was unimpeded and he rallied to win a three-way photo by a neck. That rival is in Saturday’s Juvenile (G1), leaving Highland Sky an opportunity to make amends, albeit in a congested field of 14 at a slightly shorter distance. Highland Sky has the pedigree to be a good one – his dam is a half-sister to Bit of Whimsy, who captured the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland and later reared Grade 2 winner Caroline Thomas, herself three times stakes-placed on the Keeneland sod. Overcoming backside trouble when taking his debut at Saratoga, the Barclay Tagg trainee worked a bullet around the dogs last weekend on Belmont’s inner turf and figures to move forward again with any luck.

Kellie Reilly

In an evenly-matched renewal of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), STELLAR WIND (#9, 12-1) has plenty of appeal at the price. The winner of five of her last six, including the Santa Anita Oaks (G1), the John Sadler trainee had her streak snapped when fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). That result was better than it appears, considering how far behind she got early, and she cut the deficit in half inside the final furlong. More tactical in her two ensuing starts, Stellar Wind showed good resolve to overcome a wide trip, and concede five pounds to the field, in the Summertime Oaks (G2). Two months later, she scored a resounding victory in the August 30 Torrey Pines (G3) at Del Mar, and follows the same two-month pattern into the Breeders’ Cup. My instinct is that the daughter of Curlin has more upside than most in this race, and if she can find that improvement here, an upset could be brewing

Jennifer Caldwell

Even with just one turf start under his girth, CONQUEST DADDYO (#10, 12-1) has a better than even shot at Breeders’ Cup glory on Friday in the Juvenile Turf (G1). The Mark Casse pupil began his career on Woodbine’s Polytrack sprinting six furlongs, and captured his debut before finishing a half-length second in the Vandal S. three weeks later. He then moved over to the turf and came from out of his after a slow start to secure a 1 3/4-length score in the Summer S. (Can-G2) under the returning Joe Bravo. Conquest Daddyo earned a nice 94 BRIS Speed rating for that effort, and has had plenty of time to acclimate to Keeneland as he shipped to Kentucky right after the September 12 Summer S. Casse is no stranger to winning big at Keeneland and could finally earn his first Breeders’ Cup win with this one.

James Scully

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) post draw was not kind to several contenders, but FRIVOLOUS (#2, 30-1) received the perfect spot in post 2 for a stalking trip just behind the early leaders. A three-time winner at the 1 1/8-distance, the five-year-old daughter of Empire Maker ran the best race of her career in the third start off a freshening this summer, easily defeating Sheer Drama in the June 13 Fleur de Lis H. (G2) at Churchill Downs, and trainer Vicky Oliver wisely gave her a break following a runner-up in the Delaware H. (G1) a month later. She has two starts under her belt since then, posting an easy victory against overmatched rivals in a listed stakes at Churchill Downs before a better-than-it-looked fourth in the October 4 Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland. Frivolous broke from the extreme outside last time, a draw that cost her any chance at the win as she traveled wide on the first turn and even wider on the final bend, but she offered a nice move between calls to reach a threatening position in upper stretch before flattening out late. She’s eligible to move forward significantly in the third start off a layoff Friday and her BRIS numbers are on par with top contenders; a very live longshot at 30-1 on the morning line.

Vance Hanson

The three-year-old filly contingent enters this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) seemingly underrated. None are of Untapable-like quality (2014 version) for sure, but then the older fillies and mares they’re facing aren’t Beholder-like either. The three-year-old that’s evolved into perhaps the best on the main track this season is I’M A CHATTERBOX (#1, 8-1), who exits an impressive win in the Cotillion (G1), a race also used by Untapable prior to scoring in last year’s Distaff. That came on the heels of a second in the Alabama (G1) where she chased a false pace set by Embellish the Lace, and a demoted second in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) where she drifted out late into Curalina after leading the whole way. That’s not necessarily her style, and there are several others she’ll likely be rating behind here. It’s also noteworthy she won her debut at Keeneland a little more than a year ago. If anywhere close to her 8-1 morning line price, she represents value.

Kellie Reilly

ALICE SPRINGS (#3, 6-1) brings top-class formlines and a progressive profile for Aidan O’Brien, who’s arguably overdue for a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The $925,848 Tattersalls October purchase was a late foal (born May 4), yet still won handsomely on debut in June. Third to subsequent Group 1-winning stablemates Minding and Ballydoyle in the Moyglare Stud (G1), she was a staying-on fourth to highly-regarded Lumiere and Breeders’ Cup rival Illuminate in the Cheveley Park (G1) down in trip to six furlongs. The stretch-out in distance could help Alice Springs to turn the tables on Illuminate, if she copes with the turning track. The daughter of Galileo comes off a romp in the lucrative Tattersalls Millions Two-Year-Old Fillies Trophy, which appeared as a confidence booster going in, and coming out signaled a real improver. Well drawn in post 3, Alice Springs figures to carve out a good trip with returning ace Ryan Moore.

Jennifer Caldwell

I’m really liking the Mark Casse runners in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), and have already tabbed Conquest Daddyo as my Friday Longshot. For the Friday Best Bet, CATCH A GLIMPSE (#4, 5-1) has caught my eye. The chestnut lass dropped her initial start at Saratoga in a 5 1/2-furlong, off-the-turf maiden, but led every step of the way in an allowance next out going seven furlongs. She tried a mile over the good sod at Woodbine on September 12 and ended up romping in the Natalma (G2) by five lengths. That win for the Casse trainee garnered her a 98 BRIS Speed rating, and Catch a Glimpse has been working well at Keeneland.

James Scully

HARMONIZE (#8, 7-2) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) is my strongest opinion on the Breeders’ Cup Friday program. The Scat Daddy filly showed high speed in her debut but wound up being caught in the final strides, finishing a nose runner-up. She settled better in her next start, tracking the pace in second before accelerating impressively to the lead off the far turn, and recorded a four-length score in the P.G. Johnson S. at Saratoga. Shipping to Keeneland for her third outing, the October 7 Jessamine S. (G3), Harmonize dropped to the back of the 12-horse field at the start and traveled extremely wide on the far turn while circling rivals into contention, and she finished full of run to prove comfortably best by a neck. I love the versatility and improving form she’s displayed, and Harmonize appears to be thriving in a local setting she relishes. The talented filly can continue to show more in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Rick Needham

RACE #7 - The Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Stakes


#3 LIAM'S MAP
#8 WICKED STRONG
#5 LEA
#1 RED VINE

#3 LIAM'S MAP is the overall pace profile leader in this stakes field today racing at the mile distance on the dirt, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in five straight, and this recent streak of racing consistency includes a quarter of "POWER RUN WINS!" Jockey Javier Castellano has been in his irons on two previous occasions, winning 'em both, and is back this afternoon here in Lexington for his 3rd ride, gunning for a "Hat Trick Win!" #8 WICKED STRONG. a 5-1 shot, qualifies as a TrackMaster PLUS "PowerPony," and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in four straight starts, hitting the board in a pair.

Mike Dempsey

Juvenile Turf Trends

Favorites have won just one of the eight running of this race...Euro invaders have won five with trainers John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien both winning in back to back years...The Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes produced the 2012 and 2013 winners...Pounced ($6.80) in 2009 is the only short priced winner of this race, and he was the most lightly raced with just three starts...The top exacta was in 2011 with Wrote (11-1) over Excaper (33-1) returning $964.00...Jockey Frankie Dettori has won this race three times, Ryan Moore twice...Hootenanny won last year's edition off the longest break, 68 days...

Dirt Mile Trends

Favorites have won just one of the eight editions of the Dirt Mile...The average win payoff is $32.30 and the exacta is $352.00...The last three winners have taken the field gate to wire, all at Santa Anita...Three-year-olds have won this race twice, Goldencents in 2013 the most recent...All of the winners of the Dirt Mile exited either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 race in their final prep...The two Churchill Downs editions were one turn events and they were both won by runners coming from off the pace...Two-time winner Goldencents used the Santa Anita Sprint Handicap (G1) as his final prep both years...2012 winner Tapizar used the Kelso (G2)...Dakota Phone was the biggest price, paying $77.40 in 2010 over the Churchill Downs main track…

Juvenile Fillies Turf Trends

Favorites have only won one of the seven runnings of this race, Lady Eli winning last year ($6.80)...U.S. based fillies have won five of the seven races...The Ms. Grillo at Belmont Park has produced three winners...The Natalma at Woodbine has produced two winners...Trainer Chad Brown has won this race twice and also has a pair of runner up finishes...Maram (11-1) and Heart Shaped (10-1) produced the largest exacta in 2008, paying $350.00...The average super for this race is over $11K...Four of the winner paid between $21.60 and $29.20...No winner has taken the field gate to wire...

Distaff Trends

Favorites have won 13 of the previous 31 editions of the Distaff...Favorites have won three of the last four...Three-year-olds have won three of last four...Royal Delta is the lone wire to wire winner going back 11 years...The average win payoff is $18.69...The top exacta was in 2005, Pleasant Home (30-1) over Society Selection (11-1) paid $692.00...The Beldame has produced five of the last nine winners...The Lady's Secret/Zenyatta has produced three in that time...Trainer Bill Mott has won the Distaff five times...Seven of the last eight Distaff winners came into the race with at least one Grade 1 win...Eight of the last nine Distaff winners came into the race with at least two triple digit Beyer Speed Figures...

John Piesens

Keenland Breeders Cup

Race 6: #7 RAYS THE BAR
Race 7: #3 LIAMS MAP
Race 8: #2 THRILLED
Race 9: #1 IM A CHATTERBOX