Charlie Appleby will be hoping for a fruitful Breeders' Cup Saturday and Modern Games looks one of his better chances.
A winner at last year's Breeders' Cup, this 3-y-o is on the improve, and is evidently a horse that enjoys travelling.
The plan was to keep him fresh so the Ascot run isn't the ideal prep but it isn't enough to put us off.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/06/23 | ASC | 8 | Gd | 9-2 | 4 |
| 20/05/23 | NBY | 8 | Gd | 9-2 | 1 |
| 14/04/23 | KEE | 8 | Fm | 8-11 | 2 |
| 05/11/22 | KEE | 8 | Fm | 8-11 | 1 |
| 15/10/22 | ASC | 8 | GS | 9-3 | 2 |
Charlie Appleby is set to have another big day at Keeneland on Saturday starting in the Turf Sprint event with Creative Force looking to build on his third at Ascot last time out.
One of his best chances of the afternoon comes in the Breeders Cup Mile with Modern Games already twice a winner this season when going over to America/Canada and if none the worse for his run at Ascot should be tough to beat from a nice draw.
In the Breeders' Cup Turf, Nations Pride and Rebel's Romance have both shown how good they are on the road this term and both of them are leading players in this event for team Appleby.
The experienced trainer heads into the event sporting a strike rate of 44% for the last two weeks, managing to land eight winners from his last 18 runners.
John Velazquez is a man who knows how to win races at the Breeders' Cup especially round Keeneland and on Saturday has some big chances to add to his ever growing tally.
His first ride of the afternoon comes on Arrest Me Red for Wesley Ward who looks the second string in the race but still holds big claims.
One of his best chances of the afternoon comes on Above The Curve for Aidan O'Brien with the filly a Group One winner already this season and drawn in stall 4 should have a perfect spin round.
Smooth Like Straight is a very consistent type that could pick up some nice place money in the Breeders' Cup Mile and then in the Distaff Malathaat looks over priced agains the favourite.
Velazquez finishes the afternoon with rides on Highland Chief in the Breeders' Cup Turf, who used to be with Paul & Oliver Cole and in the Breeders' Cup Classic he rides the outsider Happy Saver.
