Horse Racing

Each-Way Thief: Breeders’ Cup Special: Charlie Appleby's Yibir can get the beers in at a nice price

Tom ReedTom Reed5 November 2021
Yibir Belmont Park

Yibir Belmont Park

The sheer breadth of talent in the Breeders' Cup means there is plenty of value and Planet Sport have rooted out some juicy picks at Del Mar on Friday and Saturday. Odds-on fiends look away now.

A mouthwatering array of talent takes to Del Mar for two days of top class racing, starting with the juveniles. Modern World is a hot pick in the last on Future Stars Friday but Planet Sport reckon there could be value with another from the boys in blue, ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf - Albahr

Frankie Dettori rates the Charlie Appleby trained Albahr as his best chance at the Breeders' Cup 2021.
The two-year-old son of Dubawi won round the turn in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine last time out and can use his strong finishing speed at Del Mar.
The draw in two is pretty useful and Dettori's experience will be crucial in judging the race to perfection.
Stablemate Modern Games is getting all the talk but Albahr can enter proceedings at a nice price in California.

Aidan O'Brien's Glounthaune is a progressive sort and can bely his odds at Del Mar.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint - Emaraarty Ana

A good low draw has added to Emaraaty Ana's chances, the Kevin Ryan sprinter aiming to get one over stable companion Glass Slippers.

The trip has been clipped by half a furlong since Glass Slippers took the Turf Sprint at Keeneland last year and Ryan has said that Emaraarty Ana is "tailor-made" for the Breeders' Cup.

Ryan has also labelled Emaraaty Ana "as good a horse as I've ever trained" which adds weight to the five-year-old out-running his odds here.

Emaraaty Ana can do the business at an enticing price.

Golden Pal is a worthy favourite for Wesley Ward but stablemate Kimari can provide a run for your money.

Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf - Rougir

This three-year-old filly won the "Win and You're In" Prix de l'Opera at ParisLongchamp to force her way into the Breeders' Cup reckoning.
From the same trainer and owner combination as Champion Stakes winning Sealiway, Rougir won well in Paris on heavy going to take the Opera.
Back in fourth was Audarya, the current Filly & Mare Turf champion which bodes well for the 2021 edition with James' Fanshawe's returning heroine fancied by some for the repeat.
Maxime Guyon gets the leg up and with a fair pace, Rougir, which means "to blush" in French could leave bookmakers who lead with too strong a price, red-faced.

Loves Only You is a capable Japanese raider and can spring a surprise for Yoshito Yahagi.

Breeders' Cup Turf - Yibir

It's enough to make males wince but a gelding operation has been the making of Yibir, who has won three out of four since the procedure.
His Bahrain Trophy Stakes win at Newmarket in July set the three-year-old up for a step up to Group 2 territory and he took the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in fine style.

A trip to the USA for the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park was the natural step and Yibir duly won that too by two and a half lengths from Soldier RIsing.

"If he brings his A game he's got a big each-way shot" said Appleby of Yibir's chances and we'll take him at his word at sweet odds.

Roger Varian's Teona could be anything after her surprise Prix Vermeille win and can provide a shock once again.

Breeders' Cup Classic - Medina Spirit

The Kentucky Derby win for Bob Baffert's Medina Spirit was clouded by the failure of a post-race drugs test.
Yet Baffert is being allowed to send horses to the Breeders' Cup under strict conditions and Medina Spirit may have been overlooked for the Classic.
Medina Spirit romped to victory in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by five lengths in a final Grade 1 prep for the Breeders' Cup.

Capable of a front running showing, if Medina Spirit begins to tank along it could be Baffert rather than Brad Cox having the last laugh.

Hot Rod Charlie has solid form and a decent draw in three and can go close at reasonable odds.

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