3 Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re-in horses who could offer value

With the Breeders' Cup win-and-you’re-in schedule winding down next month, the time has come to think about which of those winners can become a force in their respective Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 3 or 4 at Santa Anita. Given all the excellent horses competing in the two-day racing event, good runners might end up ignored by bettors.

Here are three win-and-you’re-in winners who could offer value.

Clairiere, Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Last year, Clairiere threw a clunker in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga before rebounding with a strong third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She lost the Distaff by only a head to her usual rival Malathaat.

Earlier this year, Clairiere won the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont to clinch her spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

But Clairiere ran fifth and second-to-last in the Personal Ensign again last month. Perhaps there is an odd jinx against her in the race.

For those willing to forgive the Saratoga, there were minor excuses that affected the run. Clairiere went through a wide trip while trying to close on a sealed sloppy surface. The track bias did not give her the best chance to win. She probably will bounce back once more. 

Warm Heart, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

In June, Warm Heart took the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Ascot over a good turf surface. But only one month later, she ended up a puzzling fifth in the Irish Oaks (G1) over soft turf at The Curragh.

On Aug. 24, Warm Heart rebounded with a win in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) over another good track, which is the firmest it gets in Europe. 

Warm Heart won by a head over Free Wind. Note the third-place Savethelastdance, who previously won the Irish Oaks. 

This 3-year-old filly clearly loves firmer turf courses. And trainer Aiden O’Brien has been no stranger to sending his turf runners overseas for the Breeders’ Cup. Since the Yorkshire Oaks was a win-and-you’re-in race, expect O’Brien to send the filly to California for the Breeders' Cup because she will thrive on a firm turf course at Santa Anita.

Geaux Rocket Ride, Breeders’ Cup Classic

During the summer, Geaux Rocket Ride took the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park to clinch his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Rather than tackle the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, the connections opted to stay home and compete in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

Geaux Rocket Ride gave a roughly similar effort to his Haskell win in the Pacific Classic. Unfortunately, the flow of the race went against him this time when Arabian Knight set the pace comfortably with a slight cushion and found enough to hold on late as Geaux Rocket Ride came with a final push near the wire.

Arabian Knight could find the pace scenario more difficult in the Breeders’ Cup Classic if White Abarrio tries to press him from the start. 

With the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita this year, trainer Richard Mandella also might hold a home court advantage. With Beholder, Mandella won the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and 2016 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and all three of those wins came at Santa Anita.  

With a more favorable pace and Mandella’s preference for winning on his home course, Geaux Rocket Ride can contend in the Classic at overlaid odds.