I know it is widely known that the Euro Turf Runners are usually the way to go in the Breeders Cup Turf races. But this year it might be a little different. I actually believe the American contingent is pretty strong. And I am excluding the 2YO races where its mostly an unknown.
Everyone knows I am a Big Fan of Point of Entry and I just dont see that strong of a European bunch in that race. POE needs to return to his Sword Dancer form and with his tactical speed and affinity for firmer Turf could be a bear. There are no Daylami\'s or High Chaperrels coming over.
As far as the Mile goes Wise Dan is a BEAST. Obviously is obvious. And yes there are some solid Euros but here is question for the crowd. If you back out the Filly Winners for Europe who has won more Miles? The Europeans or the Americans. Think about. No Miesque. No Goldikova. No Six Perfections. The Artie Shiller, Kip Deville, DaHoss, Lure types have done just fine here. Maybe it the tight turns and racing but they certainly havent dominated us.
Filly and Mare Turf might be a different story. But there were a few Players on here who HIT that American BOMB last year. Maybe Marketing Mix is a Soaring Softly or Perfect Sting. And then again maybe she needs to be.....
Silver,
I for one, do not want to be backing American horses, as solid favorites, in turf races where we almost never win.
St. Nicholas Abbey can likely be excused for his last race over heavy going. Any of his previous 4 are faster, at least on TG, than Point of Entry. I also plan to give a longshot look to Slim Shadey, if I think he will get a 1w/1w softish lead, on the firm turf course. If he can run a \"3\", with that trip, he could upset a big price.
As for the mile, I think Wise Dan is going to be tougher to beat than Point of Entry, but there are other factors in the Mile vs the Turf, in that the Mile is crowded and trip plays big part, while usually not as much in the Turf. If the turf is a brick and Obviously draws inside of Little Mike, I give him a reasonable chance to wire at big odds. His last was very very good, albeit against much lesser. But a pair up likely wins and he will be 10-1.
Silver:
Check out Euro success rate at recent SA BCs
I left out Opening Verse, WarChant and Silic who I CRUSHED on in the Mile.
Jimbo I said Point of Entry needs that Sword Dancer # again. St Abbie has not.run that fast and that 6 in his.last is a head scratcher. Shug needs more than a 1:04 breeze in POE however. And I do believe they won with Lure out there or was that Hollywood Park!
I am also taking a long look a the cycling back treasure beach, seems to me that he may have it together now, the line intrigues me. Also, I think that arc track was bad, many ran off races, I got to do some searching on that track condition that day.
I agree with both of those suggestions.
Ritchiebee, Manila, Kotashan and Theatrical were American based runners who won at SA (I think). But that was also an era when somebody actually bred a horse to run more than 5 furlongs. POE has that distance pedigree.....but he better be trained for his best!! No kid gloves.