7.21 Churchill Downs
Breeders´ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 2) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+)
Winner: £346,154 Runners: 14 Distance: 5f
Advice: 0.5 pt each/way Chamberlain Bridge (11/1 Blue Sq,
10/1 general), Caracortado (8/1 Coral)
Grand Adventure: Been pitching in Grade ½ competition on
last few starts but all without much success and while hampered, not that
unlucky to be fourth in the Nearacrtic
Stakes and needs more here to reverse form with the winner.
Holiday For Kitten: Three time winner who broke the track
record when scoring over 51⁄2f at Keenland in Giant’s Causeway Stakes, a
performance of note; Well beaten in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and first
win since in Polytrack Grade 2 last time, although weights were in her favour
and others preferred. 
Broken Dreams: Got better of regional rival Unzip Me three
times in a row when winning the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes, but this massively
tougher taking on males for the first time.
Perfect Officer: Solid efforts in defeat the last twice in
Grade 3’s at Parx and Keenland but chased the pace twice and then caught late
on when stamina kicked in; This a better race so looks outclassed.
Great Attack: Best effort beside winning allowance on dirt
track here a year ago is his third in the Shakertown Stakes and no wins in
Graded Stakes, while always behind 4 rivals in last 4 runs. 
California Flag: Winner of this two years ago when the races
was run over 6 and a half furlongs but not found the same form since; Draw of
12 didn’t help him when pushed for the lead last year and back to form when
becoming first horse to win Morvich three times, but same worry about trip here.
Hoofit: Former New Zealand based horse (never had that much
success although placed in a Group 1 at 2 years old); Form of last win (which
saw him go to 2-2 for the season in the US) is strong, with him having beaten
Aikenite and Hamazing Destiny (both Grade 1 class sprinters on the first.
Regally Ready: Found the form which had seem him claim a
Graded hat – trick when holding off Bated Breath late on in the Nearcatic
Stakes, the best form in this field; Possibly benefitted from yielding ground
and an easier trip but that still a top effort and can go very close. 
Rapport: Habitual front runner who was fourth in good
looking Polytrack Grade 2 (behind Holday For Kitten) but run down that day and
same should happen again here with competition on for the lead.
Havelock: Has a terrific recent turf record (four from his
last four) and a blazing late kick, as shown when winning the Woodward from
miles back; Not impossible that same situation could develop here and has to be
considered seriously.
Country Day: Evidently useful sort who has plenty of form
but been well beaten by Havelock on last two meetings with him and three other
rivals hold him easily too. 
Camp Victory: Holds strong form over the Polytrack and
Cushion Track when bumping into Smiling Tiger and The Factor on two of last
three starts, but didn’t have anything when asked in the Morvich last time so
left on the side for this. 
Caracortado: Unbeaten when going less than 7 furlongs and
excellent Group 1 form over longer trips this summer bodes really well;
Battling and game win in the Del Mar Mile last time shows his stamina in
reserve and very persuasive contender.
Chamberlain Bridge: Super impressive when winning this race
having fluffed his lines at the start before coming home with a rattling late
run; Not quite had things going his way since and hard not to chance repeat at
10/1.
VERDICT: A tight event, although it’s a shame not to see a
quality European sprinter here. Any one of the top 5 could win it but it’s
worth chancing that CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE could retain his title having been
targeted at nothing else all year. Along with him, CARACORTADO makes a lot of
appeal but it’s hard to get away from Regally Ready and Havelock.
No comments:
Post a Comment