It is Breeders’ Cup Saturday! Sierra Leone seems to defend his Traditional crown at 10.25pm, with Fierceness and Eternally Younger ready within the wings to take it from him.
10.25 – Sierra Leone and Fierceness headline stellar discipline
Regardless of the absence of Sovereignty, this 12 months’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional is a belter with defending champion Sierra Leone amongst a discipline of 9.
Chad Brown’s steady star has had a blended marketing campaign however confirmed his class when operating down Highland Falls to land the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in August. He ought to get the robust tempo he needs and has strong claims granted a transparent passage.
Fierceness will likely be fancied by many to go one higher than when second final 12 months. He noticed off the reopposing Journalism on the monitor final time and charges an apparent participant.
Journalism was given loads to do on that event and should get nearer below new jockey Jose Ortiz, whereas Japanese raider Eternally Younger is an each-way contender if capable of repeat the choose of his type, when seeing off Romantic Warrior on this 12 months’s Saudi Cup.
Mindframe and Baeza each maintain claims, with the previous being hampered and unseating Irad Ortiz final day out – when arriving off the again of three straight successes – at Saratoga.
9.41 – Twin winner Insurgent’s Romance faces Minnie Hauk
A spectacular conflict between star filly Minnie Hauk and veteran Insurgent’s Romance on this Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Aidan O’Brien has taken this crown on seven events and Minnie Hauk seems the best candidate below Christophe Soumillon. A quadruple Oaks winner, she additional enhanced her profile when second within the Arc and should show arduous to beat, particularly with an affordable attract stall eight.
Charlie Appleby’s Insurgent’s Romance is a worldwide celebrity with 9 top-level wins to his title throughout quite a few nations. He’s a twin winner of this race and can take some pegging again if allowed to dominate from stall 1 below the mercurial William Buick.
Others to notice embody the unexposed Amiloc and the Francis-Henri Graffrad-trained Goliath, who didn’t kick on from King George glory in 2024 however stays a proficient particular person.
11.05 – Notable Speech and Sahlan lock horns
This can be a fiercely aggressive Breeders’ Cup Mile the place Notable Speech will bid to go two higher than final 12 months.
Notable Speech warmed up for this with a facile success within the Woodbine Mile and his coach seeks a fourth win within the final 5 years. This will likely be a lot more durable, however he warrants loads of respect having carried out with credit score in Europe all 12 months, most notably within the Prix Jacques le Marois.
Notable Speech and William Buick
Francis-Henri Graffard’s Sahlan was final seen claiming a primary Group 1 success within the Prix du Moulin and should be feared if breaking on phrases for the Arc-winning partnership of Graffard and Barzalona.
Of the others, Rhetorical is the choose of the house staff, whereas The Lion In Winter is one other for the shortlist, having completed second behind shock winner Cicero’s Reward within the QEII the final day.
Better of the remainder
On the undercard, the 7.00pm PNC Financial institution Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Dash will seemingly see Candy Azteca line up as favorite after back-to-back wins for Richard Baltas, together with in Grade 3 firm at this venue when final seen. This can be a big step up at school however do not be shocked if this five-year-old places her expertise to the most effective use below Juan Hernandez.
With Arizona Blaze a non-runner, the onus will likely be on Motorious to proceed his upward trajectory within the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash at 7.41pm. Ag Bullet might additionally go effectively below Johnny Velazquez, while a European viewers will likely be conversant in Shisospicy, who underwhelmed within the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot however is a critical operator on residence soil.
At 8.21pm, Creativeness and Bentornato will go head-to-head for the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Dash. Dan Blacker saddled Straight No Chaser to victory on this race final time period and the six-year-old will return in defence of his title tonight.
The Mark Casse-trained Nitrogen seems well-placed for honours within the 9.01pm Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff regardless of being handed stall one however will likely be cautious of the four-timer in search of Seismic Magnificence who has proven all of the indicators of being a very prime horse this time period.
A Breeders’ Cup Traditional winner in 2023, White Abarrio is again on the World Championships to take goal on the Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile. Nysos is the present market chief and one in every of three Bob Baffert runners going to publish for this.
See The Hearth must overcome a tough publish in 14 to strike gold within the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 12.25pm. Cinderella’s Dream and Gezora look the important thing gamers right here, with the latter seeking to bounce again from a disappointing displaying within the Arc.
