We head into the final four races of this card and hopefully everyone is making money out there. Let’s see if we can get some more horses home in these Breeders’ Cup races.
Del Mar Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (Grade 1)
The final four races begins with the Filly and Mare Turf with 13 fillies and mares entered. We do have one scratch as the 6 Ylang Ylang was withdrawn.
Favored is the 4 War Like Goddess (5/2 morning line). She closed well against the boys in the Turf Classic against the boys at Aqueduct. She is a stone cold closer and if Far Bridge does well in the turf, this may be the obvious choice here.
The 2 Full Count Felicia (12/1 ML) is lone speed here. In a race devoid of speed, that is a dangerous quality to have. To be able to get the fractions and be able to potentially get a breather in the middle of the race like she did destroying a field in the E.P. Taylor at Woodbine, she may not be caught.
The 3 Cinderella’s Dream (4/1 ML) who won the Belmont Oaks Invitational at Aqueduct and the Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga. She is 6 for 7 lifetime and will be hoping the 2 goes too fast on the front end. She is another in this race that is a stone cold closer.
The 10 Moira (8/1 ML) was able to close the gap in the E.P. Taylor but was never catching the front running winner that day. She did win the Beverly D at Colonial and just missed in the Diana at Saratoga after a long layoff. She will be closer to the pace and should have first shot at picking up the pieces.
Lone speed is dangerous, especially in a race like this. Let’s take Full Count Felecia in an upset. I’m calling this 2-10-4-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 2.
Del Mar Race 10 – Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1)
Some of the fastest thoroughbred horses are entered here in the Sprint. A field of 11 go six furlongs on the main track.
The 3 Federal Judge (3/1 ML) is favored ad is peaking at the right time. He is 2 for 3 this year and drew off on the front end in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland. But he will have company on the front end from several other horses in this field.
The 9 Remake (8/1 ML) closed well to win a sprint race in South Korea. This Japanese bred returned to the cases with a powerful closing kick to win by multiple lengths. He could benefit most from a speed duel today.
The 2 Gun Pilot (20/1 ML) last ran at Saratoga in August losing to Mullikin (#10, 7/2 ML). Mullikan does look like he could stalk the pace, while Gun Pilot does look like he will be a few steps behind looking to close today.
The 4 Nakatomi (6/1 ML) is a versatile horse that can be on the front or a few lengths off the pace. That race at Keeneland could be a bounce or it was a race he needed after a two-month break. She should be there at the end as well.
Remake is a bit of a mystery horse, but at least I was able to get the video from his previous race. I think he is going to love the speed duel up front and takes advantage of this to give Japan a winner in this year’s Breeders’ Cup. I’ll call this 9-4-10-2 with a $20 win wager on the 9.
Del Mar Race 11 – Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1)
We reach the penultimate race on the card here for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. We have 12 entered, but the 1 Ramatuelle and the 4 Diego Velasquez are scratched.
The 6 Notable Speech (7/2 ML) is favored here despite a lackluster performance in France back in September. He might have an excuse of a soft turf course there that day and should enjoy a firmer surface today.
The 7 Porta Fortuna (4/1 ML) won in Ireland last time out closing well to win that mile test. He will be close to the pace here today.
The 12 Carl Spackler (6/1 ML) does not need to be on the lead but was there when racing at Keeneland last month. He has the widest post here, but we did have a horse win from the 13-hole on the grass yesterday.
The 9 Johannes (i9/2 ML) is 4 for 4 this year winning the City Of Hope Mile at Santa Anita last time out. He has a win over the turf course here at Del Mar and will look to cap an undefeated season by being a few lengths off the pace and taking over in the stretch.
I think Johannes may even be the favorite here and will win this race. I’ll call this 9-6-7-12 with a $20 win play on the 9.
Del Mar Race 12 – Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1)
The finale today is worthy of being the finale here today. We have the Dirt Mile here and this is a loaded field heading to the gate to end an amazing weekend of racing in Del Mar.
Favored in the finale is the 9 Domestic Product (7/2 ML). He won the Allen Jerkens at Saratoga back in August and has been training up to today’s race. He also won at this distance at Aqueduct in July. There is a ton of speed in this race, so his versatility could come in handy today.
The 8 Post Time (12/1 ML) won a minor stake at Laurel Park to prep for today. He has been close in races on the NYRA circuit and would not be that much of a surprise here today. He will be closing at the end of today’s race.
Something went amiss with the 10 Muth (9/2 ML) in the California Crown at Santa Anita. Every once in a while, horses have these races where you just shake your head and move on from it. He won here in September in his first race in five months. I’m expecting Muth to be the horse that won here at Del Mar.
The 1 Saudi Crown (5/1 ML) will be on the lead here and could be the fastest of them off. He won at Ellis Park back in August and has been training up for this. If he is alone on the lead, he wins. Plain and simple.
But I think it’s Muth who bounces back in a tough race to end the weekend at Del Mar. Let’s call this 10-1-8-9 with a $20 win play on the 10. Best of luck in all your wagers!
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