Breeders Cup Saturday Preview - 04/11/23

Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 18:30
3(3)
Junior Alvarado

Cody's Wish

J: Junior Alvarado
T: William Mott
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 34

The story behind this horse left not a single dry eye at Keeneland last year when Cody's Wish came true and the Godolphin charge won this race 12 months ago.

He's been in fine spirit again this season, winning 3 of his 4 starts in the campaign and scoring another brace of Grade Ones. An impressive winner on his most recent outing, he returns to the Breeders' Cup as a strong favourite to win another Dirt Mile.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/10/23BBA7Fs9-01
05/08/23SAR9Fs8-123
10/06/23BLM8Fs9-01
06/05/23CHU7Fs8-111
05/11/22KEE8Fs9-01
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 19:10
2(2)
Ryan Moore

Warm Heart

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-8
OR: N/A
Days: 55

Inspiral will take the eye here but she steps up in trip for the first time and her stamina isn't assured. She's worth taking on with Aidan O'Brien's Warm Heart who's won five of her seven outings this season.

Climbing from maiden ranks she scored in listed and group company nicely before disappointing on soft ground in the Irish Oaks. Back on a firm surface since she racked up an impressive Group One double to win the Yorkshire Oaks and the Qatar Prix Vermeille Arc trial.

10 furlongs should hold no fears for her and she might just be able to outstay Inspiral late on.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/09/23LON12GS8-111
24/08/23YOR12GF9-01
22/07/23CUR12Sft9-25
22/06/23ASC12GF9-21
20/05/23NBY10Gd9-21
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 19:50
1(1)
Irad Ortiz Jr

Goodnight Olive

J: Irad Ortiz Jr
T: Chad C Brown
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 8-12
OR: N/A
Days: 70

Already backed into a very short price, it's hard to ignore the favourite Goodnight Olive in this race as the impressive winner from last year lines up again to defend her crown.

Swooping to an easy 2 length victory in this contest at Keeneland last year, her form has been a little up and down since but she was only narrowly seen off by Echo Zulu last time out and that rival doesn't re-oppose here.

With her setting a clear standard in the form she should be making it back to back wins in this race.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/08/23SAR7M8-122
17/06/23BLM7Fs8-121
06/05/23CHU7Fs8-113
08/04/23KEE7Fs8-111
05/11/22KEE7Fs8-121
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 20:30
14(14)
William Buick

Master Of The Seas

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 28

The Boys in Godolphin Blue come alive at this meeting each year and although Mawj looks to be solid at the top of the market, her owner-mate Master Of The Seas.

Some decent form in both the UK and Meydan, Master Of The Seas has been sent to America recently where he's scored a Grade One at Woodbine in impressive fashion before a close 2nd at Keeneland. There should be some decent pace on in front and he can pick up the pieces late on.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/10/23KEE8Fm9-02
16/09/23WOO8Gd8-121
15/07/23ASC8GS9-61
25/03/23MEY9Gd9-013
04/03/23MEY9Gd9-03
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 21:10
5(5)
Juan J Hernandez

Adare Manor

J: Juan J Hernandez
T: Bob Baffert
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 8-12
OR: N/A
Days: 34

Bob Baffert's 4 year old has hit a real vein of form recently winning all five of her outings this season. Scooping three Grade 2 prizes and a Grade 1 event.

She can take a lead or make the running and was incredibly impressive when winning by a wide margin over this course and distance back in June.

Idiocratic looks a solid enough favourite, but Adare Manor arrives looking for a six-timer and her efforts have been both visually impressive and good on the clock. Likely to go close again.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/10/23SNA8.5Fs9-01
06/08/23DMA8.5Fs8-111
10/06/23SNA9Fs9-01
30/04/23SNA8.5Fs8-81
31/03/23SNA8Fs8-101
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 21:50
9(9)
Jim Crowley

Mostahdaf

J: Jim Crowley
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 73

What a race this is. Some of the best middle distance horses from around the world are gathering here and it might just be worth siding with Mostahdaf.

The Gosden's 5 year old has been near impervious on his four starts this season, only suffering defeat in the £5m Sheema Classic behind Japan's star Equinox. On his two starts on British soil this season, Mostahdaf has bolted up in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes before gritting it out to win the Juddmonte International.

Mainly known for his exploits over 10 furlongs, he has won over a mile and a half and should be able to get the trip on this quick ground and tight course. His form sets the standard if he can hold off the 3 year olds.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
23/08/23YOR10.5GF9-81
21/06/23ASC10Gd9-21
25/03/23MEY12Gd9-04
25/02/23JAN10.5GF9-01
02/10/22LON12VSft9-520
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 22:40
8(8)
Yuga Kawada

Ushba Tesoro

J: Yuga Kawada
T: Noboru Takagi
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 38

Despite the home team heading the market in the shape of Arabian Knight, Japan might hold the answer to the Breeders' Cup Classic this year with their brilliant 6 year old Ushba Tesoro.

A winner of his last 5 races, connections decided to test him outside of Japan back in March where he saw off a multitude of strong rivals to win the Dubai World Cup and scoop £5.8m.

At home on dirt in Native Japan, he should be right at home here and can scoop another big prize.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/09/23FUN9St9-21
25/03/23MEY10Fs9-01
01/02/23KAW10.5St9-01
29/12/22OHI10St9-01
27/11/22HAN10St8-131
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 23:25
10(10)
Flavien Prat

Motorious

J: Flavien Prat
T: Philip D'Amato
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 62

Maybe not one of the most attractive profiles on offer, Motorious does however finish well off a strong pace and should get the perfect target to aim at in this contest.

He did beat a rival who finished ahead of Live In The Dream at Keeneland last month and off the collateral form might just be overpriced to be hitting the frame here.

Maybe not quite of the quality to win but he could well hit the frame.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
03/09/23DMA5Fm8-111
06/05/23CHU5.5Fm8-112
05/03/23SNA6.5Fm8-81
29/01/23SNA6.5Fm8-102
27/11/22DMA5Fm8-121
Santa Anita - November 04 2023
Santa Anita 23:59
8(8)
Irad Ortiz Jr

Elite Power

J: Irad Ortiz Jr
T: William Mott
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 70

Considered to be one of the "Bankers" of the meeting, Elite Power left his rivals behind in smart fashion in this race 12 months ago and has only suffered defeat once since.

Winning three times since over 6 furlongs, his only loss came when being upped to 7 furlongs and his stamina not quite getting him home in front.

He drops back in trip to 6 furlongs and looks to regain the winning thread. Should be right there if running to his usual form.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
26/08/23SAR7Fs8-122
29/07/23SAR6S9-01
10/06/23BLM6.5Fs8-121
25/02/23JAN6Fs9-01
05/11/22KEE6Fs9-01