Race 1

• 4  Horoscope

• 9  It Must Be Nice

• 8  Cespedes

• Secondary (3, 12)

• **13  Millies Party Boy is one of the contenders if he draws in

Race 2

• 7  Don Dulce

• 3  Stonscape

• 5  Lucky Lotto

• Secondary (9)

Race 3

• 4  Unrepented

• 2  Pretty Enuff

• 1  Storm Cell

• Secondary (3, 6)

Race 4

• 4  Easy Way Out

• 3  Hansen’s Help

• 8  Frosty Gal

• Secondary (1)

Race 5

• 9  Barton Holt

• 1  Fulmer

• 7  Vintage Matters

• Secondary (2, 6, 10)

Race 6

• 6  Missy’s Hat Trick

• 5  Somekindasexy

• 1  Moondance

• Secondary (3, 8)

Race 7

• 8  Lyrical Moment

• 5  True Charm

• 10  Feeling Bossy

• Secondary (1, 8, 9)

Race 8

• 2  Super Surprise

• 1  Wonderment

• 3  Highway Star

• Secondary (5, 9)

Race 9

• 5  My Kinda Devil

• 1  Fautive

• 9  On the List

• Secondary (6, 7, 10)

Race 1

• 7  Chatter Pattern

• 8  Flux Capacitor

• 5  Mar Vista Miguel

Race 2

• 1A  Data Driven

• 4  Splashtastic

• 2  Money Changer

• Secondary (3, 6)

Race 3

• 10  Another Genius

• 5  Ack Naughty

• 1  C d’Cat

• Secondary (2, 4, 8 11)

Race 4

• 6  Bustin It

• 5  Do Share

• 9  Holding Aces

Race 5

• 4  Performance Bonus

• 10  Adirondack Dancer

• 8  Changewilldoyagood

• Secondary (1, 3, 6, 7)

Race 6

• 8  Alasaal

• 3  Admiral Blue

• 1  T R Crew

• Secondary (4, 7)

Race 7

• 8  Wake Forest

• 6  Smooth Daddy

• 11  Danish Dynaformer

• Secondary (3, 7, 9)

Race 8

• 3  Gift Box

• 6  Hot Seat

• 5  Governor Malibu

• Secondary (9)

Race 9

• 5  McIlroy

• 6  Put It Forward

• 8  Indebted

• Secondary (9)

Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies

This race came up very competitive, with most of the horses having some potential to be a factor. As with most two year old races, rapid improvement between starts is not unusual, and that is very much a part of the handicapping puzzle. I’m looking for a couple of things. First is experience handling two turns, and second, success in the major G1 preps, the Frizette. the Chandelier, and the Alcibiades.

1. COLORFUL CHARADES showed a little bit of speed in the Frizette but was no match for the top two. Has the look of an also ran to me.
2. WITH HONORS showed good speed in the Chandelier, her first race on the dirt, and finished only a half-length behind the winner.  She should be part of the pace picture early, but I don’t think she’s likely to hang on all the way. She gets minor contender status for me.
3. VALADORNA was a smashing winner in her maiden race and she gives me a lot of pause here. The maiden race she won was on the same day as the Alcibiades, and she finished only 0.19 seconds slower than that race. She also bobbled at the start in that one and made up a lot of ground to draw away. I’m not sure why Mark Cause, a very shrewd trainer, didn’t start her in the Alcibiades, but he has to know now he’s got a handful of horse with her. A look at the ML suggests she’s not a secret. Major contender.
4. YELLOW AGATE was the winner of the Frizette, at one time THE prep race for the BC. It is still an important race and she ground down a very game Libby’s Tale in the stretch to garner an impressive win. She hasn’t gone the distance around two turns and that is always an issue, but she is a primary contender.
5. SWEET LORETTA is undefeated, but has been off since early September. Despite the impeccable connections, given she doesn’t have a more recent prep and no experience around two turns she only gets secondary contender status for me.
6. CHAMPAGNE ROOM is one of the West Coast entrants. She really doesn’t have the look of a Grade 1 stakes horse yet. Very minor consideration.
7. JAMYSON ‘n GINGER smashed a field in her maiden on a sloppy BEL track. Her number from that race was awesome, but the question is, was it the slop? Given she had two mediocre starts before that one, I’m inclined to think she freaked in the slop and afford her minor contender status.
8. DANCING RAGS was the winner of the Alcibiades, which I believe has turned into the key prep for this race. Unfortunately, she was in the perfect spot in that race, laying second just off the leader on an average pace, and the race really didn’t come up with a big number. Contender, but I’m going to be cautious.
9. UNION STRIKE has switched trainers since winning the Del Mar Debutante. She has a good style, and she should be able to run all day, but I’m just not sure about the layoff and the trainer change. On the plus side, she’s listed at 6-1 on the ML, and given the field I’d have to say she’s been getting a lot of buzz. Secondary contender for me.
10. NOTED AND QUOTED was the winner of the Chandelier at SA and that gives her the home course edge. Still, she seems a little in and out and while she has to be considered, there are a few I’ll put in front of her.
11. DADDY’S LIL DARLING has minor prospects here, but don’t discount that she was really the only horse to make a big stretch move in the Alcibiades. Backholer for me.
12. AMERICAN GAL has the typical “Bullet Bob” Baffert workout pattern, and the outside post is a concern, but I have a feeling this horse has a say in the outcome.

Primary: 4-3-12  Secondary: 5-8-9-11

Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf

1. SEA CALISI is one of a number of horses in this race that is good enough to catch a piece. She’s a Group 1 winner in Europe and a Grade 1 winner in the States and off her best she’s got a small chance. She’ll be on my tickets but not on top.
2. CATCH A GLIMPSE has five graded wins in seven tries this year, but she hasn’t beaten the caliber of this field. I can’t get her into the verticals.
3. SEVENTH HEAVEN is one of the Aidan O’Brien shippers and may actually look the best of the Euros. She has a Group 1 win in the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. On talent, she’s a contender, but she doesn’t stick out above a number of the others in here.
4. AVENGE is in good condition, but seems a step behind the best in here. Not on my tickets.
5. AL’S GAL has had a very good 2016 with four wins and three seconds, including a close win in the E P Taylor and a close second to Sea Calisi. It’s hard to argue with that sort of success, but I don’t think overall she’s a match for the best in here.
6. ZIPESSA seems unlikely to challenge the top runners in here.
7. SENTIERO ITALIA ran a good second to Lady Eli in the Flower Bowl, one of the top preps for this race. Her last two races may have been her best of the year. She won’t be on top for me, but I can see her sneaking in for a piece.
8. LADY ELI is the sentimental favorite for me. Two years ago she easily won at SA in the BC Juvenile Fillies. She came back in 2015 with two solid stakes wins, but then contracted laminitis. She’s managed to beat that serious disease and came back in 2016 to run a game second in the Ballston Spa and win the Flower Bowl. Had she not had the bout with laminitis she might be going into this race as a heavy favorite, and while you can certainly come up with negatives, she is a very talented filly who should have a major say in the outcome.
9. RYAN’S CHARM is definitely the X-factorin here. She’s been a consistent stakes winner in Peru, but I believe she would be better starting in an allowance race.
10. KITCAT is different in that she has a second in a race she ran at SA after shipping from Chile, and perhaps that one start will be useful, but she’ll be a pitch for me.
11. QUEEN’S TRUST doesn’t look quite as fast as some in here, and was beaten by Seventh Heaven in the Yorkshire Oaks.
12. PRETTY PERFECT is another of the Aidan O’Brien group. She’s eligible for lesser conditions, but  for some reason O’Brien went with the race.
13. NUOVO RECORD is another of the x-factor horses, but the speed numbers she’s shown overseas don’t really match up in this group.

Primary: 8-3-1  Secondary: 7-12-5-11

Breeders Cup Sprint

1. MIND YOUR BISCUITS is an interesting horse in this race. He’s a three year old that is more of a closing sprinter, and horses with that style can be very much hit or miss, especially if the pace isn’t particularly quick. Little question that today’s race will have plenty of horses looking for the front, so he should get an honest setup. The question is whether he is good enough even with that setup. I might use him in a back hole.
2. DEFRONG is riding a four race win streak, although his last was the seven furlong King’s Bishop at Saratoga in August. He’s got pure front running ability and has been working a hole in the wind. I can see him winning the race but I’m not sold at the ML odds.
3. DELTA BLUESMAN is a veteran campaigner who also likes to win on the front end. His figures give him a puncher’s chance, but I’m not overly enthusiastic about his likelihood of winning.
4. JOKING is on a four race win streak after capturing the Vosburgh last out. He’s at the top of him game right now, but even off his best effort I can’t see him beating this field.
5. A.P. INDIAN has a ton of talent and seems to be able to win on any surface. He’s won 5 of 7 at this distance and off his best there is no doubt he could be the winner. But, he’s another one of the horses that prefers the front end and there is enough speed in this race that one or two of them might not  make it to the wire.  He’s a contender, but one of a few that has outs here.
6. LORD NELSON is one of the best sprinters on the West Coast. He’s got a three race G1 winning streak going, including the Triple Bend, the Bing Crosby, and the Santa Anita Sprint Championship. He’s got a little more of a tracking style, and that should be in his favor here. Very live contender for me.
7. MASOCHISTIC has had a storied career, but since moving to the Ron Ellis barn he has thrived as sprinter. He’s got a liking for the Santa Anita track and his number in the Pat O’Brien was impressive, but that was only a three horse race. Is he a primary contender? Unquestionably. But he is not 2-1 in my estimation. He may win, but he’ll do so without much of my money in his direction.
8. NOHOLDINGBACK BEAR looks better than his 15-1 odds. He’s improving as the third in the King’s Bishop and the win in the Gallant Bob indicate. I think his running style might be against him – he’ll have to fight a lot of the speed and his figures aren’t quite as good as the other contenders, but I think he could get into the verticals.
9. LIMOSINE LIBERAL looks to be in a little deep today.

Primary: 6-5-1  Secondary: 7-2-8

Breeders Cup Turf Sprint

1. PURE SENSATION is a clear contender in this race. He’s been fairly lightly raced but looks to be coming to the race is top form. The one down side is that he hasn’t had any success beyond six furlongs, and he’s never negotiated the downhill course at Santa Anita. In the mix, but not the top choice.
2. OBVIOUSLY is an interesting horse. Lately he’s been running at the mile distance, but has experience at Santa Anita on the turf. At 8 years old it is obvious he is slowing down some but he still runs some top figures. One of the contenders.
3. MONGOLIAN SATURDAY doesn’t look like a contender to me.
4. HOME OF THE BRAVE comes over from England where he was sprinting, but not on the idiosyncratic SA downhill course. I’m relegating him to non-contender status.
5. KARAR ran very well in his last in France and I’m looking for him to be in a good stalking position. He’s one of the Euros I’m interested in here, perhaps not on top but part of the verticals.
6. CALGARY CAT only has one so-so race outside of Canada and I’m relegating him to the also rans.
7. SUEDOIS is a Group 1 French sprinter who has yet to win this year. Perhaps a little bit ambitious to expect this to be his first one of 2016.
8. WASHINGTON DC just ran a big one at Chantilly and has been short sprinting (5F) in his last few races. I think he’s better at the 6-7 furlong distances but I still have trouble putting him in the top three.
9. A LOT should be in a good position and I have a liking for horses that show well at the mid distances. He hasn’t been on the 6 1/2 downhill, but Brown/Castellano is a good combination on the turf.
10. AMBITIOUS BREW is in a great spot for this race. He’s got good tactical speed and does well at SA. One of the horses i’m interested in as a long shot.
11. UNDRAFTED goes in the also ran category for me.
12. OM ran well against Vyjack last out and while I’d like to see him flash a  little more speed, But his figures say he’s right in the mix and he’ll be a main contender for me.
13. HOLY LUTE just won at this distance pulling away from a pretty good field. He’s got a decent record on the downhill and his numbers say he is competitive. He’s a main contender for me.
14. CELESTINE has been running well at the mile distance but Bill Mott drops him into this sprint. He’s got two excellent figures from his last two races. I have to put him on the contenders list

Primary: 10-14-13  Secondary: 12-2-9  Best of the Euros: 5-8

Breeders Cup Juvenile

1. KLIMT goes for the always dangerous Bob Baffert. That makes relegating him to the secondary contenders dangerous, but I like others better.
2. SYNDERGAARD ran an impressive race in the Champagne. He set blazing fractions, and when he was hooked by Practical Joke, he dug in and nearly won the race. That race was visually impressive and I’m inclined to put Syndegaard in the category of the real deal.
3. TERM OF ART just broke his maiden in fairly pedestrian time. I think he’s up against it today.
4. THEORY was one of the budding Pletcher stars when he broke his maiden at SAR in late July. He then got sidelined due to injury until the Futurity in mid October at BEL. I just don’t think that gives him enough experience to top this field, but I’ll give him secondary contender status.
5. CLASSIC EMPIRE has only one blemish on his record – the Hopeful where he lost his rider. Otherwise all he’s done is win. The Breeders Futurity at KEE gave him experience around two turns. He’s a primary contender.
6. THREE RULES just doesn’t look good enough to beat this field.
7. GORMLEY has shown a lot of talent in his two starts out West. Given he’s gone the distance on this track in good time, he merits contender status.
8. STAR EMPIRE is facing his toughest test and given the quality in the other contenders, he looks up against it.
9. PRACTICAL JOKE beat Sydergaard in a stirring stretch run in the Champagne and that makes him a major contender. All in all this should be a very competitive race.
10. NOT THIS TIME ran well in the Iroquois and has a competitive number. He is a contender, but I’m putting others on top.
11. LOOKING AT LEE would have to run the race of his life to be a factor. He’s a pitch for me.

Primary: 5-2-9  Secondary: 4-7-10

Breeders Cup Turf

1. RALIS gives me no reason to expect an effort good enough to whip this field. Throw out for me.
2. DA BIG HOSS has competitive numbers and has 5 wins in 6 starts this year. Might sneak into a vertical.
3. ECTOT ran a big one on a yielding turf to best Flintshire. You can blame the soft turf for Flintshire’s loss, but Ectot has actually run his best races on the firmer turf, so he should be right at home here. You have to consider him a contender, but I’m not sure he’ll duplicate his last.
4. FLINTSHIRE threw in a bad one on the soft BEL turf, but I’m willing to draw a line through that race. Flintshire is a world class turfer and he’s been prepped perfectly for this race. He’s the best the American’s have to offer and if he runs his race he’ll be hard to beat.
5. ASHLEYLOVESSUGAR is definitely a Grade 2 horse, but I think he is a step below this crew. Also ran.
6. MONDIALISTE won this year’s version of the Arlington Million but wasn’t able to keep the streak going in the Shadwell Mile. He’s never been the distance and that puts him in the also ran category.
7. ULYSSES hasn’t shown Grade 1 ability yet, although Sir Michael Stoute isn’t likely to bring a horse he didn’t think had some talent. May have to toss him into the backholes.
8. TWILIGHT ECLIPSE just isn’t the horse he was in past years. A sentimental pick at best, but still unlikely.
9. MONEY MULTIPLIER is another who is a useful turf runner, and has a number of in the money finishes. I can see him in the verticals.
10. FOUND is one of Europe’s best turfers and the winner of the 2016 Arc d’Triomphe. It’s well known that Arc winners don’t have success in this race, but on sheer talent she has to be one of the picks.
11. TEXAS RYANO is another good turf horse but not in this caliber.
12. HIGHLAND REEL is the second of the strong Euros in the field. He finished second in the Arc and has wins at Ascot and Hong Kong. Right there with best in this race.
13. METABOSS doesn’t have the caliber of the best in this field. Toss.

Primary: 4-12-3-10  Secondary: 2-7-9

Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

1. PAOLA QUEEN flopped seriously in the Beldame after sprinting well with three year olds in the Test. Looks a cut below the best of these.
2. HAVEYOUGONEAWAY looks perfectly placed at the seven furlongs and is coming to the race in top shape. Has already beaten a number of these in the Ballerina and has had an excellent 2016. Lots of positives in her favor make her a prime contender.
3. TARA’S TANGO has run well at Santa Anita and has competitive figures. She’s done ok at the seven furlong distance, but seems better at the route trip. A secondary contender.
4. GOMO was the favorite going into last year’s BC Juvenile Fillies but was scratched. Obviously she was hurt because she didn’t return until April at GP, and then stayed on the shelf again until October when she ran 4th in a turf sprint. I can’t imagine she’ll fare well in this group so she won’t be on my contenders list.
5. WONDER GAL only has one win this year and the was in an OC$40K. She simply looks overmatched here.
6. BY THE MOON has a lot of experience at seven furlongs, and even a race over the track. She ran a good second to Haveyougoneaway in the Ballerina and figures to be one of the contenders here.
7. GLORYZAPPER seems overmatched in field. Non-contender.
8. CARINA MIA has done well running against three year olds this year and showed good speed in the Ballerina. Contender.
9. PAULASSILVERLINING seems better suited for the shorter sprints. Not a contender for me.
10. WAVELL AVENUE is the defending champion in this race. She is obviously pointed to this race by Chad Brown, but I’m not sure she’s quite the same runner she was last year.  She was no threat in the Ballerina, and her race in the Gallant Bloom was only so-so. She gets the respect of a previous champion, but I’m not sold on her chances this year.
11. IRISH JASPER just doesn’t look good enough to crack the verticals here.
12. FINEST CITY has been a good sprinter in SoCal for a while and seems to be coming into this race in top shape. She can handle the dirt and I’m giving her secondary contender status.
13. SPELLING AGAIN seems unlikely here.

Primary: 8-2-3  Secondary: 6-12

Breeders Cup Mile

1. WHAT A VIEW is 5 for 5 at Santa Anita and 4 of 7 at the distance.  He’s got enough speed to clear from the one post, but the question is, is he fast enough. Not impossible, but not a prime contender.
2. ALICE SPRINGS tries racing with the boys for the first time. She’s had a brilliant season, winning three group 1’s at today’s distance. She has the figures to be competitive and first-rate connections.
3. SPECTRE doesn’t have a win at the distance and her figures are slightly lighter than the best in here.
4. MISS TEMPLE CITY comes off a win in the Shadwell Turf Mile at KEE. Has the figures to be a major factor today.
5. TOURIST is another sort of sleeper in this race. He was not far from Miss Temple in the Shadwell, he won the Fourstardave, and he was a game second to Midnight Storm in the Shoemaker. Travels well, adapts to the different tracks, and is a very game runner. Another contender.
6. PHOTO CALL ran an enormous race beating Tepin in the First Lady at KEE. She did it by going out to a long lead on a fair pace and holding off the closers. I don’t think she gets to run that race today. Noncontender.
7. DUTCH CONNECTION ships over from England. He doesn’t have a win at the distance in seven tries and simply doesn’t look fast enough.
8. TEPIN would have been a very short priced favorite had she not lost the First Lady. The question is, was that race a fluke or is she cycling down. She is obviously a major contender, but I believe I may take a stand against her.
9. IRONICUS is also a major contender. He hasn’t been out of the money in two years and has been first or second in all his mile races. His figures are very competitive. Major contender.
10. LIMATO is the best of the Euros in this race. He looks like he has been pointed at this spot. His figures have consistently been better than what is in the field and I like his chances a lot today.
11. RING WEEKEND is a non-contender for me.
12. HIT IT A BOMB simply never blossomed as a three year old. Would be a surprise for me.
13. MIDNIGHT STORM seems to be the best of the local talent. I’ll put him in a secondary status.
14. COUGAR MOUNTAIN doesn’t seem to have the talent to be a factor here.

Primary: 4-10-8-9  Secondary: 2-13-5

Breeders Cup Classic

Not a lot of clever analysis here. The best, most consistent horse in the race is CALIFORNIA CHROME. He loves SA and has consistently good figures. In my mind he is the horse to beat. The now horse is ARROGATE, who freaked in the Travers, running an enormous figure. If he’s that good I’m not sure any horse in the race can beat him. But if it was just one of those once in a career efforts, or if he bounces off the effort, his prior efforts don’t say he’s good enough to win. You have to take a stand one way or the other, and I’m standing against. EFFINEX is getting a lot of sentimental action. He didn’t look any better last year when he finished second to American Pharoah, but clearly Jimmy Jerkens knows how to wind him up for one race. He’d be no surprise in the exacta. FROSTED might have been the favorite for the Classic after his Metropolitan win, but he understandably tailed off a little. Still, that Metropolitan sticks in your mind and if he replicates it he gives the field a good run for their money. I’d be highly surprised if one of those four horses didn’t win the race.

Primary: 4-1-10-2

Last time the Cup was help at SA I was there. I can attest it is a very comfortable place to hold the Championships and they do a great job. Let’s get started with the races.

The Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf

1. LANCASTER BOMBER is one of the Aidan O’Brien shippers. On the plus side, while he has three consecutive losses in Group races, they were to the highly regarded Churchill. His last race figure was by far his lifetime top. On the down side, he hasn’t been around two turns and he’s being asked to go farther than he’s ever been. While he has shown speed in his Euro races, he’s going to have to gun out of the gate and may get hard used early. One of the mid-level contenders.
2. KEEP QUIET is trained by top conditioner Mark Casse. He won the G3 Bourbon last out and finished second in the G2 With Anticipation. His numbers have been improving and he is a contender here.
3. CHANNEL MARKER doesn’t look like a contender in here.
4. FAVORABLE OUTCOME is an interesting horse. He is trained by the very capable Chad Brown, a noted turf trainer, yet he doesn’t yet have a turf start. While I rarely question Brown’s moves, the horse doesn’t have very good turf breeding and I’m not sure this is the spot to see how well he can perform on the lawn. Puzzling for me, but I’ll take a stand against.
5. MADE YOU LOOK is trained by Todd Fletcher who is not well known as a turf trainer. He looked good in winning the With Anticipation, but he’s been off since then with a group of ordinary looking works to power his return. He may get a little action, but he’ll be a pass for me.
6. BIG SCORE is the best of the West Coast runners. For my money, the West Coast turf juveniles are generally a step below the east coast runners, although he did run a big one in the Zuma Beach. I’ll give him a small amount of respect given the home course advantage, but I don’t expect him to contend for the win.
7. J. S. CHOICE is another Pletcher runner. His first three starts were good, but he really has to up his game to compete in this group. Also ran status for me.
8. INTELLIGENCE CROSS is one of the Aidan O’Brien runners. He’s been in four consecutive Group races, although none beyond six furlongs. However, he is by War Front, an excellent distance turf sire, and shouldn’t have any trouble with the distance. One down side for me is that he hasn’t yet negotiated two turns, and that is an important lesson for young runners to learn. Still, he’ll make my contenders list.
9. WELLABLED comes off of a sprint in the synthetic at PID where he earned a good number. He should be giving the favorite, Oscar Performance all he can handle on the front end. I expect him to get some early calls but not stay around to the end.
10. BOWIES HERO finished well back of Big Score and I’m not expecting enough improvement to be a contender here.
11. GOOD SAMARITAN won the Summer at Woodbine in good time for top turf conditioner Bill Mott. I like the running style and if he runs his best he has every chance to win the race.
12. RODAINI is a Euro shipper but he simply doesn’t look good enough to be a factor here.
13. OSCAR PERFORMANCE has two smashing wins in his last two races, including a six length score in one of the main preps for this, the Pilgrim. If you want to knock the horse you can focus on the pedestrian pace he set in the Pilgrim, especially since he should have to go a lot faster today. On the up side, we almost certainly haven’t seen the best he has to offer. Given the speed he’s shown, he should be able to overcome the outside post. Brian Lynch is a solid trainer with what might be a few and far between big horse, so expect him to have the horse wound up and ready to go.
14. TICONDEROGA is up against it coming from the far outside in this race, and that is the only thing that dampens my enthusiasm. He broke a little slowly in the G3 Bourbon, but was coming strongly at the end. It would have been nice to see Castellano stay for the ride, but Bejarano is one of the top jocks on the SoCal circuit and he knows the course very well, so the trade is not that negative. I say he lives up to the hope the owners had when they spent $850K on him.

Primary: 13 -14-11  Secondary 8-6

Breeders Cup Dirt Mile

1. VYJACK has had a decent 2016, although both his wins were on the turf and he hasn’t won on the dirt in two years. He has prospects in the back holes, but won’t be a focus for me.
2. TOM’S READY ran well in the Ack Ack, but really seems a step below the best in here. Could pick up a few pieces in the stretch.
3. DORTMUND looks very strong in here. He’s got five wins and a second in six starts at SA, and is unbeaten at the distance. But, you say,  he hasn’t managed a win this year. True, but the horse who beat him three times is none other than California Chrome.  His wins have come with him first or second early in the race, and he’s not likely to have the lead today. But Dortmund is a real runner and he has a huge home course advantage. Hard to suggest he should be anything but the solid favorite.
4. POINT PIPER would be a real shock for me in here. He’s best coming from off the pace, but I can’t see him mowing down Dortmund and Runhappy in this one.
5. ACCELERATE is probably the slowest of the runners in here and doesn’t look to have serious outs.
6. TEXAS CHROME has run well against three year olds, winning his last three starts, but his figures suggest he is a cut below the best in here. Another that won’t get a lot of action from me.
7. RUNHAPPY is the clear speed in here. He was impressive in 2015, maintaining his form right through the Breeders Cup. Subsequently we had the drama of a trainer change and then a foot injury that kept him on the shelf most of this year. On the down side, he tried the mile twice and hasn’t cracked the top three. However, his race in the Ack Ack looked pretty good considering he’s been off 10 months, and he was only two and a half lengths from the win. He’ll have the lead on a speed favoring track, he’ll have a race under his belt, and other than Dortmund, he doesn’t have to beat a whole lot. The odds are unlikely to make him value, and the questions tell me he’d have to go off at double his morning line to interest me. Not a surprise if he wins, but not the best bet.
8. TAMARKUZ might be the biggest disappointment in the field. When he came here after winning the prestigious Godolphin Mile there were high expectations. But in six races since then he hasn’t been able to find the winners circle. This horse is a legitimate miler, and his poor record since then is perplexing. Given the two second place finishes in his last two, there is reason to have some optimism, but it would certainly be an upset if he crosses first. Demand big odds if you are thinking of going in that direction.
9. GUN RUNNER is the horse I see with the best chance of upsetting the top two. Other than an uninspiring run on a soupy MTH track in the Haskell, he really hasn’t run a bad race lifetime. He’s beautifully bred for the mile distance and he seems to be getting stronger as the year goes on. There is one other intangible that I believe is interesting. Two years ago on this track there was a rock solid favorite – Goldencents – who looked like he might get caught in the stretch by a Steve Asmussen horse – Tapiture. I’m thinking lightning just might strike twice.

Primary: 9-3-7  Secondary 8

Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

For a number of years I was the Horseplayer Magazine handicapper for this race and I’ve had a lot of luck with Juvenile turf fillies. Unlike many of the other turf races on the BC card, this race has not been dominated by the Euros. In fact, the only year they looked good was the year they banned Lasix from the two year old races. But this year the Euros seem to be loaded in this race, and I’ll be giving them closer consideration.

1. HYDRANGEA goes for Aidan O’Brlen. She’s suffers from the same disadvantage many of the Euros do – no experience around turns. But she was a very close second in one of the primary Euro prep races, the Moyglare Stud Stakes as well as a good second in the Dubai Fillies Mile. Given the success in the top Euro stakes and with Aidan O’Brien training, she has to be put on the contenders list.
2. LULL finished second in the Jessamine, the final North American prep for this race. Jessamine winners have had good success in the BC, and while she didn’t get the top slot, she looked good her first time around two turns. She also gets an interesting switch to Rosario for this run. Secondary contender.
3. NEW MONEY HONEY won the primary North American prep for this race, the Miss Grillo at Belmont. In that race the fractions were very pokey, but she exploded in the last 5/16, running an eye popping 28 2/5. This puts her in the major contender category.
4. SPAIN BURG ran decently in Europe but she has the look of one of the lesser Euro’s to me. Not expecting her to be a factor.
5. VICTORY TO VICTORY won the Natalma at Woodbine, another one of the major preps for this race. However, I didn’t think this year’s Natalma was a particularly impressive race, and I’m putting  this horse in the minor contender category.
6. COASTED looked good winning the P G Johnson at SAR, but faltered with no real excuse in the Miss Grillo, other than she had the rail on a yielding turf course. She has potential to be a factor at very juicy odds.
7. INTRICATELY was the winner of the aforementioned Moyglare stud stakes. While that makes her worth considering, I believe she will be a little short today.
8. MADAME DANCEALOT has run his three group races with one win at a secondary track. She isn’t going to make the contenders list for me.
9. CAVALE DOREE ran in a couple of the better French preps, the Prix Marcel Boussac and the Prix du Calvados, winning the latter but being no threat in the former. Another that doesn’t look like a primary contender for me.
10. HAPPY MESA tried the Surfer Girl at SA and finished second. It’s been my opinion that the horses coming out of the West Coast Preps just aren’t as good as the Euros or the East Coast horses. Minor consideration for me.
11. RYMSKA set the slow fractions in the Miss Grillo and did not finish as you might have expected. She should be part of the pace picture, but she doesn’t make the list of contenders for me.
12. LA FORCE shipped over from Italy and made a start in the Surfer Girl. That wasn’t an impressive run, so unless the trainer was playing possum, she looks like a pitch to me.
13. ROLY POLY might be the better of the Aidan O’Brien runners. She has two wins and two seconds in her last four graded starts, but has the same question marks as the other Euros. She hasn’t negotiated the distance or the two turns. Still her breeding for the mile is impeccable and her figures are impressive. Can’t leave her out of the mix.
14. LA CORONEL earned a massive number in winning the Jessamine and beat the Miss Grillo winner New Money Honey when she broke her maiden. The biggest issue is going to be the outside post since she doesn’t normally show a lot of speed out of the gate. If she was in a better spot I think she might be the winner, but given the short run to the first turn and the big field, it’s going to take a perfect ride and timing to win this one.

Primary:  3-6-14  Secondary: 1-13-2

Breeders Cup Distaff

1. SONGBIRD is 11 for 11 lifetime, although she has not faced older horses yet. Still, she has some advantages here. She’s got plenty of early speed in a race where there other front runners, but no sort of “blow your brains out” horses, so she should be able to establish comfortably. She’s also 5 of 5 running at SA and will have no issue with the distance. But on the other side, she doesn’t look as fast as the two older contenders, although her last race was a lifetime top. No doubt she can win this race, but it will be the challenge of her career.
2. LAND OVER SEA looks overmatched to me, but it is a typical Reddam/O’Neill move to swing for the fences. This time I think they don’t make it past the warning track.
3. CURALINA is a nice stakes filly, but I think she’s up against some pretty tough customers in this one. Vertical possibilities, but she would be a surprise in the winners circle.
4. CORONA DEL INCA has had some success in Argentina, but it is very difficult to assess the horse’s chances. With no real insight, she’s a pass for me.
5. STELLAR WIND is excellent at Santa Anita and has beaten Beholder the last two times they faced each other, but that was at a shorter distance than they’ll run today. A very legitimate contender, but I think today might belong to Beholder.
6. FOREVER UNBRIDLED is another horse that belongs at the Grade 1 level, but just seems a step behind the best in this field. Underneath at best for me.
7. I’M A CHATTERBOX might be most likely to sneak into the trifecta but is another that just doesn’t seem good enough to beat  the top contenders here.
8. BEHOLDER holds the home field advantage here and has the advantage of being trained by the guy who seems to be Mr. BC in SoCal, Richard Mandella. That 13 wins in 15 starts at SA is a gaudy record and she’s got a lot of heart. It’s a close call for me, but I’ll put her on top.

Primary: 8-1-5  Secondary: 7-6-3

I’ve got to point out that in the 10th race yesterday I put Oh So Sinister on top. He went off at an astonishing 80-1 and was a clear second, only a length behind the winner, that also happened to be the favorite. Now while the people who follow me know I am not generally disposed to bet to place, but when you have a horse you legitimately think can vie for the win, you better have place money if he finishes second. In this case you would have been rewarded with a $44.20 place mutuel. Since the winner and the third place horse were also among my top picks, with a little guts you could have also had the exacta ($410) and the trifecta ($4,369). Regardless of who you follow, having an 80-1 shot on top, and then watching the horse just miss is pretty good handicapping.

Race 1

• 3  Two Weeks Off

• 6  Steve’s Image

• 1 Kenyan

• Secondary (2, 4)

• No great insight in this race. TWO WEEKS OFF should go favorite, but he doesn’t look unbeatable. Best in a field that brims with mediocrity. FORMAL SUMMATION will get his share of action, but I’m even less sold on his prospects.

Race 2

• 9  Fear

• 10  Pine Ridge Forest

• 6  Cuckoo’s Saloon

• Secondary (1)

• FEAR is listed at 8-1 on the ML. He’s had a productive year and seems to have taken to the BEL turf. At the odds, he’s the one that holds my interest.

Race 3

• 6  Ornato

• 3  Buckwellspent

• 9  Summer Bourbon

• Secondary (4)

• Not many contenders stick out in this one. ORNATO has only one start, but it was a troubled beginning and he did run evenly around the track. Blinkers off today and maybe a change of fortune.

Race 4

• (13  Defiant Honor – Top choice if he draws in)

• 1  Bogulator

• 11  Untouch

• 3  Fear No Evil

• Secondary (4, 7)

Race 5

• 6  Stonetastic

• 1  Momameamaria

• 9  Kelsocait

• Secondary (5, 8)

• The top two voices look best in this one, but KELSOCAIT is a three year old with three wins in her first six starts all at BEL. Despite this being her first stakes, she has the numbers to be competitive. Improving three year olds late in the year are always worth watching, and if she runs her best she could surprise the field.

Race 6

• 1/1A  Holiday Stone/High Promise

• 7  Cavil

• 9 Chenal

• Secondary (5, 6)

Race 7

• (13  Summer Breezing is a contender if he draws in)

• 2  Wicked Freud

• 6  Final Chapter

• 7  Latigo Trail

• Secondary (3, 4, 11, 12)

• This is a very competitive race as evidenced by the number of contenders. If SUMMER BREEZING draws in, he has to be given consideration. Otherwise, this race is ripe for a juicy payoff.

Race 8

• 5  Chubby Star

• 12  Create a Dream

• 4  Beat the Benchmark

• 3  Warrior Hall

• Secondary (2, 8)

• This is another competitive race, but I think CHUBBY STAR is one to watch closely. The Miss Grillo is THE turf stakes at BEL for juvenile fillies prepping for the Breeder’s Cup. She ran well at LRL, but was checked at the start after stumbling in the Miss Grillo, Still, she showed a little interest and is likely to be ignored in the betting. At 12-1 ML she captures my interest.

Race 9

• 9  Celtic Serenade

• 1  Brandi’s Diva

• 10  Persky’s Spirit

• Secondary (6, 11)

• While BEA BEA is listed at 2-1, I think she’s had plenty of chances and is a horrible bet at the odds. On the other hand CELTIC SERENADE has only two lifetime starts (technically), one on the turf and that represented an improvement for her. She obviously needed her last and should jump forward with the race under her belt. Should go off at good odds.

Race 1

• 5  Asphalt Paving

• 3  Always a Suspect

• 6  Fast Eddie E

Race 2

• 5  Palladian Bridge

• 9  Jemmabelle

• 6  Cheering for Al

• Secondary (4)

Race 3

• 1  Candy Genovesa

• 2  Tapit Together

• 5  Church Social

• Secondary (4, 6)

Race 4

• 3  Imasuperstar

• 7  Encrypt

• 5  Basic Hero

• Secondary (2, 4)

Race 5

• 3  Saturday Bliss

• 10  Angel Choir

• 8  Sunset Knoll

• Secondary (7, 12)

Race 6

• 3   Buffalo Miss

• 5   Ametrine

• 1  Esther the Queen

• Secondary (4, 11)

Race 7

• 1  Old Upstart

• 2  Rockford

• 9  Sir Bond

• Secondary (4, 6, 7, 8)

Race 8

• 2  Jet Majesty

• 1  Grey Start

• 5  Blame it On Me

• Secondary (6, 7)

Race 9

• 2  Beautiful Nite Sky

• 1  Rosa Dorata

• 12  Air Force Nurse

Race 1

• 3  Northern Screamer

• 2 Rock N Bunny

• 4  Rahy’s Bandit

• Secondary (5)

Race 2

• 9  Courtmewithcarets

• 8 Two Hot Baby

• 10  Hoponthebusgus

• Secondary (7)

Race 3

• 3  A. P. Cino

• 4  Derby Glass

• 5  One’s Chance

• Secondary (1, 2)

Race 4

• 10  James Lane

• 8  Samadi Sky

• 1  Gorelli

• Secondary (3, 6)

Race 5

• 5  Uncle Southern

• 8  Sweetpollypurebrd

• 7  Sister Sophia

• Secondary (2, 3)

Race 6

• 5  Nobody Move

• 8  Taoiseach

• 7  Jet Black

• Secondary (1, 9)

Race 7

• 3  Sly Tom

• 10  It’s a Given

• 2 Roccia d’Oro

• Secondary (6)

Race 8

• 8  Angry Moon

• 1  All Star Red

• 3  Easy to Say

• Secondary (2, 4, 5, 7)

Race 9

• 10  Battle Tux

• 12  Knee Socks

• 7  Doukas

• Secondary  (1, 3, 6)

Race 1

• 6  Kohlhase

• 4  Tree Top Lover

• 5  Fielding Gold

Race 2

• 2  Dream On

• 11  May Flowers

• 4 Pira

• Secondary (1, 5, 6)

Race 3

• 2  Bust

• 5  Barbie Stones

• 5  Shandy

• Secondary (4)

Race 4

• 4  My Fair Lily

• 2  Conquest Lucknlove

• 1  Akron Gold

• Secondary (8, 9, 10, 11)

Race 5

• 3  Bamboo Stick

• 4  Majestic Jessica

• 2  Dreamboat Annie

• Secondary (5)

Race 6

• 9  Believe Indeed

• 5  Avery Maeve

• 7  Cotton Candy Cutie

• Secondary (1, 2)

Race 7

• 6  Andesine

• 1  Unrepented

• 2  Cahirciveen

• Secondary (5, 7)

Race 8

• 9  Chickadoro

• 3  Sassy Little Lila

• 1  Penjade

• Secondary (2, 7)

Race 9

• 3  Jewel Can Disco

• 5  Can’t Stop History

• 2  Shades of Brown

• Secondary (1)

Unfortunately I’ll be on another research trip and won’t be handicapping this week. Be back next week as usual.