BREEDERS’ CUP PROFILES
MILE
AD VALOREM | Danzig–Classy Women, by
Relaunch |
|
Owner: | Mrs. John Magnier | |
Breeder: | Calumet Farm (Ky) | |
Trainer: | Aidan O’Brien | |
Rider: | Kieren Fallon | |
Last 1 BRIS
Speed: |
93 | |
A Group 1 winner in his final juvenile appearance, the three-year-old colt
failed to make much of an impact in his last two European starts this season and
finished sixth when adding Lasix for his U.S. bow in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)
last out. Ad Valorem owns the back class to merit respect here, but his recent
form isn’t encouraging.
ARTIE SCHILLER | El Prado [Ire])–Hidden
Light, by Majestic Light |
|
Owner: | Timber Bay Farm and Mrs.
Thomas Walsh |
|
Breeder: | Haras du Mereray Sa (Ky) | |
Trainer: | James Jerkens | |
Rider: | Garrett Gomez | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
105, 102, 102 | |
Four-time Grade 2 winner was favored in last year’s Mile (G1) at Lone Star
Park but never threatened, finishing 12th, but he’s got this year’s event in his
backyard and is capable of a much better showing. Winner of the Bernard Baruch
H. (G2) two starts back, Artie Schiller fell short by a head in the Kelso
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last time and owns a terrific 7-4-2-1 over the turf at
Belmont Park. He’s run well in all five starts in 2005, winning twice and
finishing within a half-length of the winner in each loss, and he can generate a
terrific kick with BRIS Late Pace ratings over 110 this season. Artie Schiller
looms as a serious win candidate.
FUNFAIR (GB) | Singspiel (Ire)–Red
Carnival, by Mr. Prospector |
|
Owner: | Cheveley Park Farm | |
Breeder: | Cheveley Park Stud (GB) | |
Trainer: | Graham Motion | |
Rider: | Edgar Prado | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
106, 101, 101 | |
An undistinguished campaigner in Europe, Funfair improved noticeably when
coming to the United States this year, winning all three starts, including a
commendable score in the Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last out. Six-year-old
gelding still has class concerns against a deep group of rivals in the Mile
(G1), but he’s recorded very commendable BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings in his
U.S. appearances and figures to be overlooked in the wagering despite his recent
successes.
GORELLA (Fr) | Grape Tree Road
(GB)–Exciting Times, by Jeune Homme |
|
Owner: | Martin Schwartz | |
Breeder: | Earl Elevage de la Source
(Fr) |
|
Trainer: | Patrick Biancone | |
Rider: | Gary Stevens | |
Last 1 BRIS
Speed: |
91 | |
Sophomore filly rallied into contention along the rail in midstretch of her
U.S. bow, the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1), before
flattening out in the final furlong, and the 10-furlong distance of the Filly &
Mare Turf (G1) is probably too far for this confirmed miler. Gorella owns
excellent European form, recording a runner-up finish behind Starcraft (NZ)
(Soviet Star) in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) and a pair of
third-place efforts to the retired Divine Proportions, and she’s got the class
to challenge males here. Three-year-old fillies have held their own in the Mile
(G1) (see Six Perfections [Fr]), Ridgewood Pearl (GB) and Miesque), but second
or third is probably a more realistic scenario for Gorella than winning.
However, she remains one to consider for the multi-race wagers at long odds.
HOST (Chi) | Hussonet–Colonna Traiana,
by Roy |
|
Owner: | Eugene and Laura Melnyk | |
Breeder: | Haras de Pirque (Chi) | |
Trainer: | Todd Pletcher | |
Rider: | Rafael Bejarano | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
101, 101, 102 | |
Returned from a near eight-month layoff to capture the Shadwell Turf Mile
(G1) and has won three of his last four attempts. Five-year-old had competed at
mostly lower levels before breaking through with a Grade 1 tally last time, and
the competition will be much tougher in the Mile (G1). Respect his current form
but wonder if Host can be effective in this spot.
LEROIDESANIMAUX (Brz) | Candy Stripes–Dissemble
(GB), by Ahonoora |
|
Owner: | TNT Stud and Stonewall Farm
Stallion |
|
Breeder: | Haras Bage Do Sul (Brz) | |
Trainer: | Bobby Frankel | |
Rider: | John Velazquez | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
110, 103, 106 | |
Mile (G1) favorite has won his last eight starts, including three impressive
scores this year, and will show speed from the start under John Velazquez. Lure
is the only horse to win the Mile in wire-to-wire fashion (doing it twice), but
Leroidesanimaux may be good enough to emulate that star performer from the early
1990s. He will have to deal with the presence of the speedy Sand Springs (Dynamormer)
and a probable soft turf at Belmont, but the five-year-old couldn’t bring any
better form into the race and it won’t be a surprise to see him in the winner’s
circle.
LIMEHOUSE | Grand Slam–Dixieland
Blues, by Dixieland Band |
|
Owner: | Dogwood Stable | |
Breeder: | Cheryl Curtin (Fl) | |
Trainer: | Todd Pletcher | |
Rider: | Jose Santos | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
194, 96, 96 | |
Bred for the grass, Limehouse finished a close fifth when making his turf bow
in the Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last out and owns some upside for his second
grass appearance, but the four-year-old colt will have to do so against the
world’s best milers. That looks like an unlikely proposition.
MAJORS CAST (Ire) | Victory Note–Ziffany, by
Taufan |
|
Owner: | Mrs. Susan Roy | |
Breeder: | Joe Fogarty (Ire) | |
Trainer: | Jeremy Noseda | |
Rider: | Frankie Dettori | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
Four-year-old colt brings improving form from Europe, recording a commendable
third-place finish to Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star) in his last outing, but he
will be tested for class at Belmont. Majors Cast is a very honest campaigner,
compiling a 9-3-2-2 mark this year, and will offer value in his U.S. bow, but
he’s a big question mark at this level.
SAND SPRINGS | Dynaformer–Lovely Martha,
by Storm Bird |
|
Owner: | Sangster Family Stable | |
Breeder: | Willmott Stables (Ky) | |
Trainer: | Bill Mott | |
Rider: | Jerry Bailey | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
97, 99, 101 | |
Classy five-year-old mare owns wins in the Diana S. (G1), Just a Game
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) and Honey Fox H. (G3) this season, but she does her best
running on the front end and won’t get an easy early advantage with
Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (Candy Stripes) in the field. It’s difficult to envision
her sustaining her quickness throughout.
SINGLETARY | Sultry Song–Joiski’s Star,
by Star de Naskra |
|
Owner: | Little Red Feather Racing | |
Breeder: | Disler Farms (Ky) | |
Trainer: | Donald Chatlos Jr. | |
Rider: | David Flores | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
94, 101, 99 | |
Last year’s Mile (G1) winner has maintained his form this season and exits a
sharp 1 1/2-length score in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Five-year-old
horse was overlooked at 16-1 in 2004, and Singletary isn’t getting a lot of
respect this year despite clearly being one of the top contenders. Very
tractable, the bay horse can be placed anywhere during the early stages of the
race and owns an explosive turn of foot, receiving BRIS Pace ratings of 106 (E2)
and 107 (Late Pace) at Lone Star Park en route to his half-length decision.
Singletary has proven that he can ship successfully and should be in the mix
again this year when the serious running begins on the far turn.
THREE VALLEYS | Diesis (GB)–Skiable (Ire),
by Niniski |
|
Owner: | Juddmonte Farms | |
Breeder: | Juddmonte Farms (Ky) | |
Trainer: | Bobby Frankel | |
Rider: | Patrick Valenzuela | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
94, 100, 98 | |
Won his first two starts this year, including a game score in the Del Mar
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2), but he didn’t fare well when shipping outside of
California for the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) last out. Bobby Frankel has said that
Three Valleys doesn’t like off turf, and the four-year-old won’t have favorable
conditions in the Mile (G1).
VALIXIR (Ire) | Trempolino–Vadlamixa, by
Linamix |
|
Owner: | H.H. Aga Khan | |
Breeder: | Snc Lagardere Elevage (Ire) | |
Trainer: | Andre Fabre | |
Rider: | Christophe Soumillon | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
Perhaps Europe’s best miler when reeling off consecutive Group 1 scores
earlier in the year, Valixir has tailed of in his last two starts and will need
to turn things around in his U.S. bow. The four-year-old colt is a threat to
bounce back with an improved showing for three-time Breeders’ Cup race winner
Andre Fabre and remains a logical candidate to use in the wagering, but Valixir
will bring plenty of concerns with him from France.
WHIPPER | Miesque’s Son-Myth to
Reality, by Sadler’s Wells |
|
Owner: | Richard Strauss | |
Breeder: | Flaxman Holdings (Ky) | |
Trainer: | Robert Collet | |
Rider: | John Murtagh | |
Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
Didn’t fire when 10th in last year’s Mile (G1) at 7-1, but Whipper has the
opportunity to make amends in 2005. Belmont features features much more wider,
sweeping turns that Lone Star, and Whipper has maintained his top-class form at
four, winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Fr-G1) and finishing second in the
Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1, both against Europe’s best milers. He exits a
respectable fourth behind Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star) in his last outing, and Whipper could prove to be a very dangerous European if he takes to Belmont’s
turf course.