What to watch for: Breeders’ Cup decisions on the line
All the “Win and You’re In” qualifiers are
wrapped up for the year, but there’s still a few races that could determine a
trip to the Breeders’ Cup. Stateside we’ll be watching to see how Arklow runs at
Keeneland while across the pond there’s a handful of horses under Breeders’ Cup
consideration on British Champions Day.
Here’s the races to keep an eye on this week:
Arklow gets
final Breeders’ Cup audition
After Arklow took the
Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at Kentucky Downs, trainer Brad Cox was thinking about
the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The 4-year-old Arch colt was under consideration for
the Canadian International (G1) but connections instead entered him in
Thursday’s Sycamore Stakes
(G3) at Keeneland.
Although not a traditional route to the Breeders’ Cup, a solid performance in the Sycamore could send Arklow to the Nov. 3 World Championship event. The Kentucky Turf Cup was a victory at 1 ½ miles and he’ll go the same distance in the Sycamore. The Breeders’ Cup Turf is also run at 1 ½ miles and will take place at Churchill Downs, the home base for Cox horses.
Grade 1 winner Bigger Picture will also try to regain his winning form in the Sycamore after finishing second in the Kentucky Turf Cup.
The biggest threat in the Breeders’ Cup Turf hails from Europe, and that is repeat Arc heroine Enable.
Daddy Is a
Legend gets away from Rushing Fall
When Rushing Fall skipped the Lake George
(G3) over the summer, Daddy
Is a Legend was able to shine. The 3-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy
has spent several races chasing Rushing Fall this season. Connections scratched
her from the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), won by Rushing Fall, and
will contest the Valley View Stakes
(G3) Friday instead.
Daddy Is a Legend won’t be playing second fiddle at Keeneland. Instead, she’ll be headlining the field. If she runs well connections could target the Matriarch (G1) at Del Mar in December, the same track where she won the Jimmy Durante (G3) at 2.
Breeders’ Cup
watch at British Champions Day
Saturday morning Eastern Time, Ascot hosts British
Champions Day. Breeders’ Cup runs will also be on the line for a handful of
Europeans, although the turn around time will be quick.
The Champion Stakes (G1) will be the main feature, with Cracksman, Crystal Ocean and Roaring Lion aiming for the race. Roaring Lion is also under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Turf, although the Classic’s 1 ¼-mile distance is more to his liking. The Champions Stakes is also 1 ¼ miles.
The British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes (G1) is longer at 1 ½ miles and features a few possible contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 1 3/8 miles. Coronet, Kitesurf and Magic Wand have been making impressive runs in Europe and are possible for a trip stateside. If they head to the Breeders’ Cup, they’ll likely face Prix de l’Opera (G1) winner Wild Illusion.
Local Saturday stakes action
Belmont Park and Laurel Park are hosting big cards with state-bred action. Headlining
Empire Showcase Day at Belmont is the Empire Classic while the Maryland Million
Classic tops the Maryland Million Day program. Both races are 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up.
For the Empire Classic, trainer Christophe Clement will send out 3-year-old Sea Foam, who has two stakes wins against other New York-breds. He was most recently fifth in the Oklahoma Derby (G3).
Keeneland also has the Raven Run Stakes (G3) carded for Saturday, which features 3-year-old fillies going seven furlongs. Probable stakes winners looking to regain their form include Moonshine Memories, Take Charge Paula and Alter Moon. Divine Queen and Dream Pauline are also promising fillies looking to step up.