Reporting from the US
A significant milestone arrives with the presentation of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup in that it will attain the distinction of being “Lasix-free” for the first time. Over many decades American racing has seen Lasix rise to almost total popularity while at the same time it and all other race day medications were shunned in the rest of the world. As a means of leveling the playing field it made sense to prohibit Lasix for the Breeders’ Cup meetings so that all sides might seem to compete with equal opportunity in that way.
A review of the final Breeders’ Cup entries unearths almost zero situations where an American runner used to racing on Lasix is suddenly and for the first time made to race without that routine medication. Lasix may have a subtle impact on there having been fewer American entries in the ‘Cup but even that cannot be made certain based on some races with formidable foes having perhaps scared off some would-be challengers. Despite interest in attempting to make something of it, this corner will effectively ignore the idea of “Lasix” (specifically the lack thereof) as it relates to the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar as most contenders have been recently racing without Lasix as an indicator of how they might fare when made to race without it in the B.C.
As is the recent norm, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup commences on Friday afternoon at Del Mar (soon after 8:30am on Saturday morning, Melbourne time) beginning with 5 races. The next day (Sunday morning at 6:00am Melbourne time) will bring 9 Breeders’ Cup events concluding with the $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Here is just a bit about each race:
First day:
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint:
As with most any race on an American turf course around a sharp turn, this could be a scrum, but if a fair opportunity is assumed for all, then the British colt, Armor, just might have the most say. Armor has been hitting hard at top level and he holds a narrow decision over fellow invader Go Bears Go. Trainer Wesley Ward is always a strong competitor in American 2-year-old races and he serves up a trio of chances in this spot as well, the best of which is surely Averly Jane, undefeated and mostly untested in 4 starts. She should at least be “tested” this time around.
Final expectations: Armor (7), Averly Jane (8), Go Bears Go (3), Twilight Jet (1), Twilight Gleaming (6).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies:
A small field with the divisional championship likely on the line with the heaviest hitters all included here. Echo Zulu seems the queen of the division based on romping Gr. I wins in each of last pair. post draw toward the outside should suit her well. She has won at a mile although she has yet to race around two turns. Today’s distance of approximately 1700 meters should be of minimal concern. Juju’s Map has been training and winning in Kentucky and she scored a romping Gr. I win in her latest race 4 weeks ago. Tarabi was a distant runner-up to favored Echo Zulu last time out but has only raced twice and has a right to have matured in the two months since that latest effort.
Final expectations: Echo Zulu (6), Juju’s Map (5), Tarabi (4).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf:
Among the more competitive races across the two days is this rendition and of course the outcome is subject to a large group of 14 having to navigate a typical American turf course around 2 turns. Considerable guesswork is involved in this one and lots of luck is needed from a wide berth but this corner fancies English invader Mise En Scene, who raced in traffic before finishing strongly in her Gr. I fourth 4 weeks ago. It is always difficult to guess how the American runners will stack-up vs. the often-more-talented European shippers but 2-for-2 Koala Princess merits a look in what will be her first try at more than 1400 meters. French shipper Malavath can have a strong say though she too must overcome a wide berth. Irish-bred Cachet raced on a lively pace and just faltered in the end when a nose in front of Mise En Scene in their last race, and she surely has claims in this wide-open affair.
Final expectations: Mise En Scene (13), Koala Princess (9), Malvath (12), Cachet (3), Bubble Rock (5), Hello You (6).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile:
Traditionally the championship-settling event for 2-year-olds on the American calendar as well as the place to find the early favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby. Many very promising runners are entered here including a trio sent out by perennial strength Bob Baffert. The obvious favorite is Gr. I Champagne Stakes winner Jack Christopher, who earned a top figure in winning 5 weeks ago. Baffert-trained speedster Corniche could still be any kind based on his 2 romps in as many starts. Early speed is Corniche’s game and he is drawn suitably on the outside from where he can control his own fate. Well-bred Commandperformance was runner-up to Jack Christopher in just 2nd career start and could easily reverse the decision with natural improvement this time around. Other Baffert trainees Pinehurst and Barossa can likely be counted upon NOT to run Corniche into the ground early and complementary strategies will likely be conceived for all three of the Baffert runners.
Final expectations: Jack Christopher (1), Corniche (12), Commandperformance (10), Pinehurst (9), Barossa (8).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf: (to end the 5-race preliminary presentation of Friday)
Again, a 14-horse scrum going around 2 sharp-ish turns of an American turf course. European invaders hold most of the cards here as is so often the case. The pattern of improvement of Modern Games may have him peaking at just the right time and his trainer, Charlie Appleby, has been rather hot in North America in 2021. Appleby employs Frankie Dettori to pilot his other runner, Albahr, who was an easy winner at short odds in Canada last race. English runner Dubawi Legend chased the very best of his class around the course in recent Gr. I runner-up at Newmarket 4 weeks ago while American runner Portfolio Company, trained by Chad Brown may be best of the U.S.-based charges.
Final expectations: Modern Games (1), Dubawi Legend (14), Albahr (2), Portfolio Company (10), Gounthaune (8).
That concludes day #1 of the Breeders’ Cup presentation.