Breeders' Cup: 3 best qualifying turf performances in October

Only two more races remain in the Breeders' Cup challenge series, and both of them occur overseas at Ascot next Saturday. The races that make up this series are win-and-you're-in races tied to a designated Breeders' Cup race that give the winner a guaranteed spot in the gate.

In the last few weeks, there were notable performances to point out in the challenge series, especially for races tied to turf divisions.

Here are three notable October races in the series to watch when handicapping the Breeders’ Cup.

Winner: Up to the Mark

Race: Turf Mile

Track: Keeneland

On the approach to the far turn of the Grade 1 Turf Mile, Up to the Mark was in second to last with about five to six lengths to make up. His main challenger Master of the Seas had a better position moving up in mid-pack through the rail, and he also began to tip out for his run.  

But as soon as they hit the top of the stretch, Up to the Mark came with a furious rally from behind as Jose Ortiz skillfully guided him through traffic. Up to the Mark found an opening outside of Master of the Seas, and Ortiz set himself up on the outside for a clear run at the leader. Although Master of the Seas did respond, Up to the Mark caught him. 

Master of the Seas had won the Woodbine Mile (G1) by 3 3/4 lengths in September, which means Up to the Mark ran down a good one in the Turf Mile.

Up to the Mark’s turn of foot in the Turf Mile looks amazing to watch and makes him a serious contender for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, although he also would be a serious contender in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Winner: Didia

Race: Rodeo Drive Stakes

Track: Santa Anita

Following a career in Argentina, Didia began racing on this soil last year with modest wins in an optional claimer and listed stakes race at Colonial Downs.

Now, Didia looks on path to peak in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, especially after her win in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2) last weekend.

In the Rodeo Drive, Didia initially sat in mid-pack through a slow pace with fractions of 24.50 and 48.75 seconds. She then began to move up on the backside and made a wide bid effortlessly on the far turn to take control.

Under mild encouragement, Didia opened up in midstretch over the closing Anisette in second and Juncture. Didia only won by a modest 1 3/4 lengths over Anisette. But from a visual standpoint, it felt like Didia won with plenty left in the tank if she needed to produce more.

Before the Rodeo Drive, Anisette had enjoyed a four-race win streak dating back to a maiden win overseas last December. More recently, Anisette won the San Clemente Stakes (G2) and Del Mar Oaks (G1) during the summer.

Didia will face stronger challengers in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf than Anisette, including intriguing shippers from Europe. Nevertheless, she heads into the Breeders’ Cup in top form and shows proven ability over this track.

Winner: Opera Singer

Race: Prix Marcel Boussac

Track: Longchamp

Whenever a horse wins on turf by a clear margin, it always means more than in dirt racing because turf races tend to feature wild finishes with the horses finishing within a close margin of each other. Winning by four or five lengths on turf shows that the horse belongs on another level.  

About two weeks ago at Longchamp, Opera Singer set the early pace in the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) before easily opening up on the field in the stretch. Opera Singer’s smooth acceleration after Ryan Moore shook the reins only a couple of times is impressive to watch, as she has almost no wasted motion when she starts to make that separation from the field.

Opera Singer won by five lengths over Rose Bloom in second.

Some of the fillies in the race were unproven at the group-stakes level, but the third-place Les Pavots previously won the Prix du Calvados (G2) to add credibility to Opera Singer’s win. Opera Singer most likely beat a decent field.

Opera Singer also owns a win over good turf in the Irish EBF Stakes (G3) at The Curragh. She might enjoy the firmer turf at Santa Anita.

Expect Opera Singer to attract attention in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Given the ease of her win at Longchamp a few weeks ago, she deserves it.