As many of you will have realised by now, I am a huge Champion of International racing – of course there is nothing to beat Cheltenham or Royal Ascot, but the rest of the World are only a fraction behind and this week I am lucky enough to be in Kentucky lapping up the Breeders Cup.
Before anyone sees this as an advertorial, I did get accreditation to the races but I paid my own way here and my own hotel bill – I do this for the love of the game and a bit of a holiday (just don’t tell anyone).
Each morning we travel off to the track by shuttle bus to watch the horses work and although blissfully ignorant of what I am looking for other than the obvious (you need to see a horse work week in week out to spot the changes), that doesn’t stop me listening in to the experts and helping out with an interview or two with my friends who do that sort of thing.
First up was Saeed Bin Suroor (might as well start at the top eh), who told us all about the Classic chances of Thunder Snow, the 2018 Dubai World Cup winner. I am not tipping him (famous last words), but I can say he is at his peak for the first time this season and is basically a lazy sort in his work who takes some getting fit. He isn’t well drawn unfortunately and they may well make a lot more use of him early than most expect, but he is a decent sort at his best on a surface he handles better than most and should run a huge race. Next up in the same race we have the brilliantly named Mind Your Biscuits who has been aimed at this all season. Trainer Chad Summers is a good man to know and great company as well, but most think he has lost the plot campaigning his winning sprinter over this far. Apparently not as Chad feels he will improve again for the trip, describing this contest as “his race to lose”, and as I rather like the guy I may well have a saver on him – just in case.
Roaring Lion is the enigma here and if I am honest, the horse I just cannot resist. If this was on grass he would be odds on, but as its on dirt, he is a 10/1 chance. Fact is, he has never raced on the surface so why do we all assume that is a negative when he may even improve for it (unlikely but not impossible)? Fact is he oozes class and although the sad reality is this may be a shot in the dark more than a plan, how foolish would I feel were he to romp home having written that?
Of course, that is only one of many races and I have no delusions of covering them all but I have asked around to gauge the thoughts of those who work with these horses every day hope of increasing the winners tally. On Friday I will go to the races and I will have fun but as it is a collection of juvenile races I am expecting a few surprises. Aidan O’Brien may well walk away with a few winners but no guarantees it will be with the first string and I cannot afford to back them all so I will cheer on from the sidelines before opening the wallet for Bob Baffert’s Game Winner who is my banker of the weekend in the 10.05. Three wins out of three so far for the son of Candy Ride who is getting better with every start and is, as things stand, the next big superstar of American racing if you listen to all the hype.
In my view Saturday looks better but I have already nailed my colours to Roaring Lion in the last, and although I will be cheering on Enable, at odds on I doubt I bother having a bet. Word here in the sprint has been that Bucherro is the one to be on each way in the sprint at 4.38 but that is repeating what others say and not my opinion – yours to read and do with as you see fit but you know it comes from some pro gamblers and owners I spoke to who are on the six-year-old big time.
One more to round things off and Catalina Cruiser is all the rage for the dirt mile and shortening by the minute. He has looked the business all season and looks hard to oppose and at odds against I will add him to any multiples I come up with on the day!
Sean’s Selections for the 2018 Breeders Cup from ChurchillDowns.
Game Winner (NAP) 10.05 Churchill Downs Friday
Bucherro Each Way 4.38 Churchill Downs Saturday
Catalina Cruiser 5.16 Churchill Downs Saturday
Roaring Lion Each Way 9.44 Churchill Downs Saturday