Breeders' Cup Preview - Matty Sutcliffe.

6:30 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Main Track) (Dirt)  (3yo+)

Stage Raider 25/1 EW (2 places)

On known form and ratings, then Cody's Wish should be a class apart and take this contest quite comfortably.  He won the race last season after beating the excellent Jackie's Warrior despite a wide trip coming from the rear at Saratoga, but his prep runs this season have been tad underwhelming and he's a shade of vulnerability that's worth taking him on for. He looked one paced when beaten 10L at Saratoga in August, failing to pick up after breaking slowly. He redeemed himself last time out, but he wasn't exactly electric having taken a while to reel in Accretive who failed to back that form up when 8/5f in a G2 next time out.

I've taken a wild play here on Stage Raider, who could be the one to expose any chinks in Cody Wish's armour. A half brother to JUSTIFY, the selection has always threatened to be promising after demolishing the field on his second racecourse start in 2021. He was a beaten favourite in four subsequent runs for Chad Brown, but was clearly rejuvenated by the yard switch to Cherie DeVaux in August. Stage Raider should get a quicker gallop to aim at here than when 2nd to Zozos last time out and I'd be confident he'll reverse that form and run his way into the top two.

7:10   Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Hillside) (Turf)  (3yo+)

Warm Heart 11/4 

Aidan O'Brien took this race last year with Galileo filly Tuesday, and can replicate that success with another Galileo filly in Warm Heart. She won the Yorkshire Oaks impressively beating Free Wind before following up in the G1 Prix Vermeille where she overcame a tardy start to get up gamely. That form has worked out nicely with Sea Silk Road (3rd) taking the Prix De Royauille next time out and Blue Rose Can (5th) taking the Prix de l'Opera. The drop in trip in a strongly run ten furlongs will suit her down to a tee, and she can brush aside Inspiral who I think will prove vulnerable at this trip.

7:50 Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Main Track) (Dirt)  (3yo+)

Three Witches 100/1 EW (3 places)

Stall one might not be an advantage for last years winner Goodnight Olive, who will require a fast break if she wants to escape those tracking across early on. This contest is littered with early speed and it'll likely require one who stays further than 6F. While Three Witches has plenty to find on the figures, I don't think we have a vintage renewal this year and she's one of those who will sit off the leaders and benefit from a pace collapse. She took the Princess Rooney over 7F last time out showing a nice attitude, and the winner of that race in 2021 subsequently took this contest afterwards, so it's a tried and tested method. Luis Saez jumps on board for the first time here and he is an excellent judge of pace, so hopefully he can deliver her with a late run.

8:30 Breeders' Cup Mile presented by Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf)  (3yo+)

Gina Romantica 12/1 EW (4 places)

The likes of Mawj and the Japanese runner Win Carnelian should ensure this is ran at a good clip, which will suit Chad Brown's Gina Romantica in a bid to prevent us from winning our 5th renewal since 2018. Brown was the last American trainer to take this contest and his mount Gina Romantica was impressive last time out in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland beaten the warm favourite In Italian. She stumbled at the start there and had to settle in midfield, unfavourably given her natural front running style. However that was a blessing in disguise as she showed a smart turn of foot, posting the best RPR (119, career best) in that contest since the excellent Tapin did in 2015 (120). If the yard provide similar instructions, she may be able to settle in midfield and capitalise off a strong pace with Tyler Gaffalione keeping the ride.

9:10 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Main Track) (Dirt)  (3yo+)

Clairiere 11/2 

Idiomatic will prove popular with punters but she's had it all her own way up front recently and won't have an easy lead this time with pace all around her. She'll have to prove she can settle off the pace if taken on, and it's worth playing Clairiere to make it third time lucky in this race. The selection was only beaten 3/4L in to 4th in 2021 and a short head to Malathaat in 2022, and she will be granted a strong pace here. Her 5th/6th behind Idiomatic can be forgiven last time out (ground), and she'll be much closer this time around.

9:50 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Hillside Course) (Turf)  (3yo+)

Shahryar 18/1 EW (4 places)

The international raiders have farmed this contest in recent years and Shahryar has been overlooked in here. The selection hasn't won since March 2022 when beating Yibir in the G1 Sheema Classic at Meydan with King George winner Hokum back in 7th. He wasn't disgraced next time out in the Prince Of Wales Stakes at Ascot, 2L behind susequent Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge, and he was only beaten 3L by the world-class Equinox next time out. He was then second in the G1 Japan Cup with the re-opposing Onesto 4L in behind, and he again lost nothing in defeat when 8L behind Equinox in his bid for a second Sheema Classic. He was only a length behind Mohstadaf there who is 3/1 in here, and he's supposedly had a breathing operation since a poor showing in a G2 last time out. The Santa Anita track will play to his strengths and if he's had any underlying issues ironed out, then he's a huge price given the form he has with some of these in here.

10:40 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Main Track) (Dirt)  (3yo+)

Ushba Tesoro 4/1 *NB*

Back on the dirt again, and I've side with another Japanese raider who is 7/8 since switching to the dirt. An uncomplicated horse who can be held up or make all, he won the Dubai World Cup in March beating the well regarded Algiers by two lengths, powering up the middle. That is the best form in this contest and he won his prep race cosily last time out. I fully expect to take this with a little left in hand.

11:25 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf)  (3yo+)

Motorious 11/2 

There has only been two winning favourites of this contest in the last 10 years, and Live In The Dream looks vulnerable to me. I wasn't all that impressed by his Nunthorpe win, and he won't be given an easy lead here. Caravel won this at 43/1 last year and will have been primed for another tilt, but I'll take her on too as she hasn't been at her best in the last two starts. With a strong pace likely, Motorious can replicate his Del Mar success last time out for Prat/D'Amato who won this with Obviously in 2016. Since crossing the pond from Stuart Williams' yard, Motorious' record here reads 12121 including a course win, and his wide draw in 10 shouldn't be a hindrance given the way the race should pan out.

11:59   Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Main Track) (Dirt)  (3yo+)

Elite Power 6/4 *NAP*

The concluding race should be a walk in the park for Elite Power, who won this contest last year by a cosy 1 1/2L. He was unsuited by a slow pace over 7F last time out and the drop back to 6F with Dr Schivel guaranteeing a strong gallop to suit.