Flat racing’s unofficial world championship always throws up lots of exciting action and we’re hoping for some more iconic triumphs at Keeneland in our Breeders’ Cup tips for Saturday.
European racing fans are invariably drawn towards the turf contests, but we’ve also included the main dirt race in our selections:
17:48 Tip
17:48 BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT – BACCIO @ 11/8
Donnacha O’Brien’s July Cup and Flying Five victor Comanche Brave is a strong contender for Ireland and Karl Burke’s Miss Yechance bids to follow up her Prix de l’Abbaye win with another surprise success. However, Wesley Ward’s Baccio will be hard to catch back on home turf after blazing a trail to score at Royal Ascot and in York’s Nunthorpe during a spectacular summer stint in Britain .
19:04 Tip
19:04 BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF – BLUE BOLT @ 6/4
Andrew Balding’s admirable mare has brushed aside all-comers during a run of six straight wins this season which has featured four Group One triumphs, including three defeats of the reopposing Precise at Newmarket , Deauville and Leopardstown .
Blue Bolt steps up in distance here in order to stay against her own sex but Balding is confident she can take the longer trip in her stride, stating: “She’s enthusiastic, but relaxes in her races, while her final piece of work before she came here was excellent, as if she is getting better.”
20:20 Tip
20:20 BREEDERS' CUP MILE – NOTABLE SPEECH (NAP) @ EVS
Charlie Appleby’s seven-time Group One scorer is back to defend the crown he claimed so impressively at Del Mar 12 months ago and has had a perfect preparation after adding to this season’s BOYLE Sports Lockinge success with elite-level strikes at York and Woodbine .
Notable Speech did suffer a blip when encountering trouble in running at this track back in April and his fast-finishing style can lead to some traffic problems, but jockey William Buick is in double figures for Breeders’ Cup wins and has the nous to find a way through.
20:20 - Notable Speech (NAP) @ EVS
21:36 Tip
21:36 BREEDERS’ CUP TURF – ETHICAL DIAMOND @ 16/1
European raiders have dominated this event with 10 wins in the last 11 years and Willie Mullins made it six in a row when this gelding sprang a 28/1 surprise 12 months ago by flying home past Rebel’s Romance and the reopposing El Cordobes.
Ethical Diamond would probably be considered just below top class when competing back home but he put in another noteworthy American effort when second to Tiffany at Kentucky Downs last time out after trouble in running.
With more fancied rivals like Diamond Necklace , Benvenuto Cellini and Bay City Roller coming off hard races in the Arc and beyond, the fact that Ethical Diamond has been laid out for this event means he has each-way appeal again.
21:36 - Ethical Diamond @ 16/1
22:16 Tip
22:16 BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC – FOREVER YOUNG @ 9/4
The pride of Japan created history when galloping on strongly to prevail in what felt like a stronger renewal of this dirt-based finale last term before going on to land the mega-rich Saudi Cup for a second time and then be a brave runner-up in the Dubai World Cup. Forever Young is another horse who has since been campaigned with defending his Breeders’ Cup crown in mind and warmed up with a rock-solid success at Belmont Park.
Veteran handler Yoshito Yahagi made all the right noises following this week’s final work-out, declaring: “It was a perfect gallop, the horse is moving beautifully, I’m very satisfied. There is no concern about the horse’s condition – he is very fresh.”
Betting Tips
Saturday ITV Racing Betting Tips
20:20 - Notable Speech (NAP) @ EVS
21:36 - Ethical Diamond @ 16/1
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