21:50 Santa Anita

Saturday 4 November 2023

All17:1017:5018:3019:1019:5020:3021:1021:5022:4023:2500:0000:30

Race 8 - Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1)

Off time: 21:58 | Winning time: -

(1)

Shahryar⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: C Demuro| T: H Fujiwara| OR: 120| D

25/1

High-class horse who won a Japanese Derby 2 years ago Sheema Classic last season. Also a good second in Japan Cup but well held both starts this term.

Form: 1452-50

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Onesto³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Guyon| T: F Chappet| OR: 113| D

8/1

Won the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last year when also second in the Irish Champion. Seen just 3 times this term but better than ever when a fast-finishing third in Arc at Longchamp. Firmly in the mix on that form.

Form: 207-473

(3)

Gold Phoenix³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Juan Hernandez| T: Philip D Amato| OR: 110| BF

50/1

Grade 1 winner over 1m here in March and picked up a couple of Grade 2s at Del Mar (9f/11f). Only fifth in Grade 2 here last time, however, and was well held in this last year.

Form: 147115

(5)

Auguste Rodin⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| D

9/4

Ran no sort of race in 2000 Guineas on return and again in King George at Ascot but won Derby at Epsom (by ½ length from King of Steel) and Irish Derby in between and firmly back on track when winning Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Big shout for yard that has won this a record 6 times.

Form: 1-01101

(7)

Broome^b1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| D

40/1

Won the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March but has struggled since and easy to discard here. Headgear applied.

Form: 307536

(8)

Up To The Mark²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Irad Ortiz Jr| T: Todd Pletcher| OR: 114

4/1

Much improved this year, completing hat-trick of Grade 1 wins in Turf Mile at Keeneland (off nearly 4 months, by short head from Master of The Seas, leading post). Stays 10f but this trip is an unknown.

Form: 113111

(9)

Mostahdaf⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 128| D

11/4

Finally confirmed himself the top-notcher he'd long looked when impressively landing the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot and fully confirmed that improvement when controlling the Juddmonte at York (10.2f). 10f looks ideal but this easy 12f probably within reach.

Form: 10-1411

(10)

Adhamo²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Flavien Prat| T: Chad Brown| OR: 111

66/1

Won United Nations Stakes at Monmouth in 2022 and third in Arlington Million and Canadian International both starts this term but firmly up against it here.

Form: 2186-33

(11)

King Of Steel¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: L Dettori| T: R Varian| OR: 122| D

6/1

Massive improvement on return when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in Derby, going clear but collared late. Confirmed himself a high-class colt since and made the breakthrough at this level when coming from last in Champion Stakes at Ascot 2 weeks ago. Big player if this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 7-21341

(12)

Balladeer³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Victor Espinoza| T: George Papaprodromou| OR: 106

66/1

Improved of late, winning allowance race here in June, optional claimer at Kentucky Downs in September and 8-runner Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes here last month. This a massive ask, however.

Form: 218411

(13)

War Like Goddess²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Junior Alvarado| T: William Mott| OR: 112| D

16/1

Very smart mare who looked as good as ever when winning 7-runner Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct (12f, good, 95/100) 28 days ago by 2¾ lengths. Decent third in this last year but this looks a stronger renewal.

Form: 13-1621

Non-Runners

(4)

Bolshoi Ballet⁷⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: A P O'Brien J: John Velazquez

(6)

Get Smokin⁵⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: Mark Casse J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Auguste Rodin (9/4), Mostahdaf (11/4), Up To The Mark (4/1), King Of Steel (6/1), Onesto (8/1), War Like Goddess (16/1), Bolshoi Ballet (16/1), Shahryar (25/1), Get Smokin (30/1), Broome (40/1), Gold Phoenix (50/1), Balladeer (66/1), Adhamo (66/1)

A strong renewal led by the Europeans, who look set to dominate again. MOSTAHDAF is arguably the best European horse at 10f and this easy 12f should be within his compass. Derby winner Auguste Rodin seems to have 2 ways of running but he rates a massive threat for a yard that has won this a record 6 times, while Onesto has had only 3 runs this year and his latest third in the Arc was a very promising run.