Friday ITV tips: Best bets for Breeders' Cup at Keeneland
Breeders Cup at Keeneland
The ITV cameras have hopped over to Keeneland in Kentucky for the Breeders' Cup action on Friday, November 4 and we've a tip for each of the five live races.
It's a bumper racecard of ten high quality races from the United States, but our attention is on the five big Grade 1 spectacles.
First a quick list of our selections, plus the reasons behind our highlighted picks further down the page. You can check out the race cards, results and live odds in
Planet Sport's Racing Live Centre.
(All times are GMT, you can watch the live racing on ITV 3)
Selections:
19:00 - Persian Force
19:40 - Chocolate Gelato
20:20 - Meditate
21:00 - Cave Rock
21:40 - Silver Knott
19:00 (Keeneland) - Persian Force
The Platinum Queen arrives on the back of a determined victory in the Prix de l'Abbaye and the top-class filly demands respect in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
However, the Richard Fahey-trained filly, who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle, has been handed the widest draw of all in stall 12.
"One thing being drawn out there will do is it means she misses the melee, she'll have a bit of a free run on the outside," said Tim Palin the director of syndicate owners Middleham Park Racing.
"I counted the other day they run in a straight line for 22 seconds so she's got a furlong and three-quarters to get her position. When Golden Pal won this it was 19 seconds around a bend and 23 in the home straight so she's got more than a third of the race to get her position.
"Love Reigns is second-favourite and she came over for the Queen Mary and was fourth so you can read into that what you will.
"Look, there are lots of negatives, we're drawn in the car park, we're going round a bend, it's the end of a long season and it's on a different continent - if it was at Catterick or something you'd have less question marks.
"Gate speed is crucial and they might have the beat on us there, but other than that she must have a good chance."
Preference, however, is for Persian Force, who has been a model of consistency this term.
19:40 (Keeneland) Chocolate Gelato
Todd Pletcher is strongly represented but it's very possible that his Atomically will only be part of the supporting cast if stablemate Chocolate Gelato copes with the switch to Keeneland.
Wonder Wheel and You're My Girl look big players and are the two most likely to push the selection.
20:20 (Keeneland) - Meditate
Aidan O'Brien can break his duck in the Juvenile Fillies Turf if Meditate sees out the trip.
Just denied over 7f in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket in September, the daughter of No Nay Never will run over a mile for the first time and is drawn in stall 10.
"Meditate is one I really like stepping up in trip and I think that, coupled with going round a bend, will help her," O'Brien said.
"She's a No Nay Never out of a mare by Dalakhani and we are still learning about these No Nay Nevers who are fast, precocious horses. Meditate has plenty of stamina on the dam's side, we are still working out about what we do with her next year.
"She's never lost a kilo since her last run, we've given her the chance to back out in her work but there are no negative signs. She's also got a good mind and is a hardy filly whose constitution will also help her with the distance."
The home-trained contingent's best chances may rest with Pleasant Passage and Free Look.
21:00 (Keeneland) Cave Rock
Cave Rock is a standout selection after his facile success in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita last month.
National Treasure was five lengths behind the selection that day but was himself clear of the rest.
He's respected, but Forte looks more progressive and is suggested as a bigger threat this time.
21:40 (Keeneland) Silver Knott
Charlie Appleby and William Buick teamed up to win this last year with Modern Games, and they can repeat the dose with Autumn Stakes winner Silver Knott, whose progressive profile will stand him in good stead here.
Victoria Road is feared most, while Andthewinneris and Major Dude are others to keep an eye on.
