A late note for today’s Juvenile Fillies:

John Sadler’s barn is loaded and he looks set to have a great two days. Another runner of his that should be considered closely is EVITA ARGENTINA in the Juvenile Fillies. The daughter of Candy Ride appeared to be the leading juvenile filly on the West Coast early in the year but lost that spot when only fourth in the Del Mar Debutante (G1).  However, she was running on that day and extra distance and two turns will help her here. She has been freshened and is working well – most notably on Oct 2nd she worked with the older Tribal Chief who subsequently romped under Sandy Hawley in the “Legends Race”. 

 
Marathon

1. SIXTIES ICON  (ML 2/1) The 2006 English St. Leger winner is the lone grade/group one winner in the field. He is in great form, has top connections and his pedigree suggests he should not have a problem with the surface.
2. ZAPPA (ML 5/2) With little other early speed in the field he may take charge early as he did when wiring the field in a stakes race at Del Mar over this distance this summer. If allowed too much rein he maybe hard to reel in.
3. MUHANNAK (ML 20/1) Would be something of a surprise but does have a couple of positives. His last race was his lifetime best when defeating a decent group which included the highly rated Zulu Chief and group winner Arch Rebel on the Polytrack at Dundalk. He is 2 for 2 for his new trainer and is by Chester House, a leading all-weather sire.
Turf Sprint

1. CALIFORNIA FLAG (ML15/1) Speed, outside posts and proven ability to act over this tricky downhill course that has a right hand turn after the start are big advantages. This gelding qualifies on all counts and if he reproduces his shocking Morvich H. (G3) wire-to-wire victory a month ago he will be hard to catch in this very competitive event.
2. GET FUNKY (ML 9/2) California Flag is by no means the lone speed and is not assured an easy lead and if he is softened up early the most likely to benefit is this runner from John Sadler’s barn who was the runner up in the Morvich. He is a significant seven pounds better off at the weights with that rival, has won twice over this trip and is well drawn.
3. DIABOLICAL (ML 6/1) Former top US sprinter before being bought by Godolphin spent a fruitless summer in Europe this year but showed huge improvement when finishing a close second at Ascot last time out. His post position of eight poses no problem and a return to his old form makes him a serious contender.
Dirt Mile

1. LEWIS MICHAEL (ML 5/1)  No runners in this field are more perfectly suited to this one mile on the artificial surface than this one who has not raced since winning the Pat O’Brien H. at Del Mar in August. He was shipped back East by his high percentage trainer Wayne Catalano and has subsequently trained well at Arlington and Keeneland. There is plenty of early speed in here to benefit his stalking style and he should get a good trip from his inside post.
2. REBELLION (ML 15/1) His best distance has been somewhat hard to figure out but his closing second place finish to Lewis Michael at Del Mar, and his previous efforts over 7 furlongs, suggest that this mile trip will be perfect for this runner also.
3. SLEW’S TIZNOW (ML 15/1) Lightly raced three year old was impressive in the El Cajon S. when returning off a ten month break. Had previously finished second in Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Bejarano takes this mount over Rebellion.

Mile

1. GOLDIKOVA (ML 3/1) In what appears to be one of the weaker Breeders’ Cup Miles to have been run this filly appears to be a standout and anything close to her morning line would be an overlay—a more realistic 2/1 is the best price available in the UK. Fillies, especially from France that have been pointed to this race have an impressive record and her most recent victory over a field that included Henrythenavigator puts her well clear of a dubious field.
2. U S RANGER (ML 15/1) Interesting that this is the lone representative here from the powerful Aidan O’Brien string. Temperamental sort has thrown in some poor performances as well as good ones, most notably when narrowly missing in the July Cup (G1) at Newmarket. His running on third place finish in the Prix De La Foret (G1) which suggested the step up to a mile could be warranted and hinted a better to come.
3. KIP DEVILLE (ML 5/1) While his last race seemed too bad to be true it does not inspire confidence that he can return to his best form which he will need to do to beat Goldikova.

Juvenile

1. STREET HERO (ML 6/1) Big, strong late maturing type was a fairly impressive winner of the Norfolk S. (G1) here after being briefly checked turning for home. He is still improving and, like most of Street Cry’s offspring, is suited by artificial surfaces, is well drawn and has valuable experience over this surface and distance.
2. MIDSHIPMAN (ML 5/1) Was a good second to Street Hero in the Norfolk and like that rival will benefit from the experience. While it’s doubtful he can turn the tables on that rival, he should not be far away.
3. BUSHRANGER (ML 6/1) The form has worked out well for this Coolmore owned colt through Westphalia, whom he beat in the Anglesey S. (G2) winning the Champagne S. (G2) and when Lord Shanakill, who was third to him in the Prix Morny (G1), finished a close second in the Dewhurst S. (G1). Possibly on of the better foreign contenders in the Juvenile in recent years, he will have to over come a wide post which may not favor his tracking style.

Juvenile Turf

1. WESTPHALIA (ML 5/1) In and out performer from Coolmore threw in a clunker with no apparent excuse when a beaten odds-on favorite in the Futurity S. (G2) before winning the Champagne S. (G2) at Doncaster. He was somewhat rank early in the Champagne so a likely faster pace will help as will the extra furlong and form lines through his second place finish to Bushranger puts him among the top European juveniles.
2. BITTEL ROAD (ML 7/2) Put up an extraordinarily impressive performance when winning the Bourbon S. (G3) at Keeneland passing most of the field in the stretch to win by a head. A repeat of that performance will see him close here but a wide post and a cut back in distance by half a furlong are not to his advantage.
3. GRAND ADVENTURE (ML 5/1) Canadian invader defeated Skipadate by a head in the Summer S. (G3) which puts him close, on form, to Bittel Road who had beaten that same runner by a similar margin at Belmont.
Sprint

1. STREET BOSS (ML 3/1) Unable to catch Cost Of Freedom who got first run on him in the Ancient Title S. (G1) last time but with more speed in here he should be able to turn the tables.
2. COST OF FREEDOM (ML 4/1) Has shown improvement since being claimed by Sadler and is working lights out for this.
3. BLACK SEVENTEEN (ML15/1) Showed a new dimension last time when rating before catching pacesetter Fabulous Strike on the wire in the Vosburgh (G1). If able to duplicate that performance he may be an overlay here.

Turf

1. SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (ML 7/2) With just three starts this year the Aidan O’Brien runner warmed up for this with a fine third place finish in the Arc. That form, along with performances such as his nine length Irish Derby romp makes him hard to oppose here.
2. EAGLE MOUNTAIN (ML 6/1) Well beaten third behind Soldier Of Fortune in the Irish Derby when under the Coolmore banner. Has since been switched to the stable of Michael De Kock and made his first start for his new connections a winning one at Newmarket earlier this month having not raced for a year. Is intriguing but still has lengths to make up on his ex-stable mate.
3. RED ROCKS (ML 5/1) Previous winner showed his appreciation for American turf racing conditions when he defeated Curlin in the Man O’War S. (G1). Should be suited to Santa Anita’s turf course and if fully recovered from the minor injury that forced him to miss his scheduled start in the Sword Dancer (G1) he could be a factor here.

Classic
1. RAVEN’S PASS (ML 6/1) The Breeders’ Cup (although originally the Mile was the target) has been the long term goal for Raven’s Pass for much of the season and, unlike Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade who both appear to be past their best, he has improved with each race and is in top form. While stamina was an issue in the spring, he indicated through his strong finish when winning the Queen Elizabeth S. (G1) that a mile, at least on the turf, is not his limit. His pedigree leads one to believe that the surface will not be a problem and his adaptable running style will be an advantage. Beyond Fairbanks there is little early speed in the Classic field so, with relatively easy fractions expected he should be in perfect position to take the lead turning for home and maybe tough to run down.
2. CURLIN (ML 7/5) Obviously the horse to beat but there is certainly the possibility that he is past his best and there is also the question of whether he will handle the surface.
3. CHAMPS ELYSEES (ML 15/1) An interesting spot for one that might have been expected to be better suited to the Turf. However, his one run on the synthetic was an encouraging third when closing from far back in the Santa Anita H. (G1). Blinkers are added in an effort to get him closer to the pace.
As with day 1 my betting strategy will again be to look for value in the win pool but also to key my top picks in rolling pick threes and trifectas.

Best bet: Race 8, Soldier Of Fortune
Next best: Race 5, Street Hero
Value bet: Race 9, Raven’s Pass