The day is shaping up to be one of the best in the 32 years of Breeders’ Cup history. With over 200 pre-entered horses including 32 from overseas. The first ever Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland stands to make history. Trainer Chad Brown leads all trainers with 14 entries, and ownership entries belong to Coolmore Partnerships with 10 entries from their stables. – There are 13 (G-1) races on tap with purses totaling $26 million dollars. There will be four Breeders’ Cup races on Friday, and nine go to post on Saturday. – There are a staggering 44 runners who punched their dance card with the “win and you’re in” races, and all we have to do is hope for more glorious weather and this event will be one for the books.

 

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff

 

 

Wedding Toast = This daughter of Street Sense is riding a three-win streak, and hails from the barn of the red-hot Kiaran McLaughlin. She has matured nicely, and if allowed to dominate the pace for a barn who knows how to get them in tip-top form, she’ll put out the lights early as Keeneland has favored speed for the greater part of the short meet.

 

I’m a Chatterbox = She is 1/1 at Keeneland, and exits a monster effort in the G-1 Cotillion at Parx. 2/2 ITM going 1 1/8 miles, and she’ll have to carry her speed that extra bit of distance. She has been as honest as the day is long, and if you look at her morning works at Keeneland, you’ll see some solid efforts. – She is sitting on a big effort.

 

 

Sheer Drama = What a real looker here, but I doubt you’ll get the price you seek. She is 4/5 ITM at the distance, and cutting back from a 1 1/4 miles was the magic trick. She’ll be coming, and there is no worry looking it will be her hoof beats you’ll be hearing.

 

Got Lucky = This daughter of A.P. Indy may be coming into her own at the right time. When she returned from a layoff in February, it looks like she found herself. The faster they run the early fractions, the better she’ll like it. If you like Sheer Drama, you have to respect this gal. She’ll be rolling, and if the pace falls apart it could be lights out at a square price.

 

 

The Breeders’ Cup Classic

 

Beholder = She worked on Monday morning 5 furlongs in 59.1. – She has done nothing wrong, and it is her big test to showcase her talents. Richard Mandella brings her, and he knows a thing or two about how to win a Breeders’ Cup race. It was all the talk after she shipped in that a fever had spiked. After talking to three respectable trainers on the Kentucky circuit. This can happen when runners ship. They get a bit excited, and you have to know they don’t have first class seating on the plane ride. She is 1/1 with a win at the distance when she beat the boys in the Pacific Classic. – I think we’ll see a special lady on the big stage, and maybe it’s time for Mr. Mandella to get his hat blocked for the winner’s circle picture.

 

American Pharoah = Here is the Triple Crown winner and we have to respect his body of work. Bob Baffert didn’t want to race in the Travers after a sweet Haskell victory. Could it be Baffert’s lack of success at the Spa, or did he know his runner needed some vacation time. If there is a clean break, you’ll see these two eye each other down at the top of the lane. The only question is who can finish up the best ? – He is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, and that will be all of the media buzz heading into the middle of the week. He capped off his work schedule with a bullet going 6 furlongs in 1:10.4 handily at Santa Anita, and the time off may bring us that special runner who knows how to dig down and find the gold. He’ll be as tough as they come in the final 1/16th. – If you want to know what he looks like running a 1 1/4 miles in Kentucky, here is a good example.

 

 

Frosted = I fell in love with him betting with both hands in the Wood Memorial, and he always gives a game effort. In the Derby he was trying to come on late in the lane, but history has shown us the real running is over by the 1/16th pole. But don’t tell him, he was still picking his feet up and fighting on. If the pace gets too hot, if the field puts too much pressure on at every call, or if the task is too tall. – This player will stick to his guns and bring something late to the party. – Take a look at this effort, the rider never un-cocked the stick as he was full of run.