Breeders' Cup Preview: All About the Turf

It's all about the grass today as there are 3 previews for the Juvenile Turf, F/M Turf and Turf! Tomorrow's previews for the Distaff and Classic will be coming out in two separate posts. I will be doing my Pros and Cons during that period as I don't think I'm going to have enough time to do them when the draw comes out on Monday. So for now though, here are today's previews!

Juvenile Turf

In a race that has been dominated by Europeans, they might not have the win in their pocket this year. Although their best chance Giovanni Boldini might be a Derby candidate for next year. And when I mean Derby, I do mean KY and not Epsom. G1 placed in Ireland and a winner of a synth stakes. Oh and he was born in West Virginia. Diamond Bachelor was a buzz horse before a loss in his last, but he is more likely for the dirt race then turf. Bobby's Kitten won at Belmont in his last and Bashart who got pipped in an off the turf stakes at Keeneland. 

Dark Horse: Poker Player- beat Bashart in his last at Keeneland, has a win on turf despite the stakes win on the poly. Trainer trained niece to Kitten's Joy (sire of Bobby's Kitten) to 2006 Juvenile Fillies win and daughter of KJ to Juvenile Fillies Turf win in 2011. 

Filly and Mare Turf

This race will take a little bit of a hit as The Fugue is expected to take on the males this time around after an unlucky third in last year's race. Dank won at Arlington in the summer, but hasn't raced since. Laughing is the best the east will offer this year 3 straight gate to wire wins, but I don't think she'll get away with that here. Tiz Flirtatious has lost only once this year, and then she turned the tables on that horse in her last. Marketing Mix may have taken a step back, but she is as stubborn as they come and could be very hard to beat in the stretch. 

Dark Horse: Kitten's Dumplings- It's mad mad cat world. Although she was 4th in her lone West Coast apperance she did win a G1 at Keeneland in her last. Also has picked up wins at Saratoga and Churchill earlier this year. 

Turf

You really don't know what you are going to get with the defending champ Little Mike. Although he won at Belmont in his last, he had a horrible year up to that point. Point of Entry is coming off an injury that had him on the sidelines all summer and missed Super Saturday. The Fugue has already beaten boys this year and should like the surface after running well last year. Grandeur 7th in his last US start, but has a win over the surface. Big Blue Kitten could be the one to beat in here though.

Dark Horse: Twilight Eclipse- Only 1 win this year, but he was second in 2 G1's. It should be noted that those G1's where at a mile and half distance which is the same distance here. Maybe next Saturday will finally be his day.