BC Turf J

The $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on Saturday features the customary clash of
Europeans versus Americans, and the 1 1/2-mile contest over the Churchill Downs
turf is once again likely to favor the invaders. HURRICANE RUN (Ire) (Montjeu
[Ire]) is the class of the field as Europe’s reigning Horse of the Year, but his
last three races have been somewhat below his best, so we’ll look for a price
with SCORPION (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]). Although he is a bit of a wild card with
only one start under his belt this year, Scorpion hails from the ever dangerous
Aidan O’Brien barn and was an excellent sophomore last year. After finishing a
close runner-up to Hurricane Run in the 2005 Irish Derby (Ire-G1), Scorpion
rolled to impressive victories in the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) and St Leger
(Eng-G1) before winding up a disappointing 10th in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
(Fr-G1). He was sidelined by injury for most of this year but returned with a
very encouraging second in a listed event at The Curragh on soft to heavy ground
that doesn’t suit him. Scorpion will receive first-time Lasix here, and if he
recaptures his 2005 form, he looms as a prime threat at an attractive price.
Mick Kinane has the call.

Despite his three-race losing skid, Hurricane Run remains a top contender.
Only four horses have finished in front of him this season, and none of them are
here. The Andre Fabre charge was brilliant when capturing the King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot in July, and his rider on that
occasion, Christophe Soumillon, will be back aboard for the first time since. We
think Hurricane Run had a few excuses in his past three, and the Turf should
prove to be a more congenial stage for his talents. As the winner of three of
Europe’s most prestigious 12-furlong prizes — the Irish Derby, Arc and King
George — Hurricane Run ranks as the horse to beat.

CACIQUE (Ire) (Danehill) is an unknown quantity at this trip, but the royally
bred Juddmonte Farms colorbearer handled the 1 3/8 miles of the Man o’ War S.
(G1) in superb style. He’s traded punches with ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike)
all year, with the score standing at two apiece, so it’s not easy to separate
them. We’ll give the slightest of edges to Cacique because of his smart
acceleration in the Man o’ War and his admirable consistency. The Bobby Frankel
charge has finished first or second in five of six starts in 2006, all at the
Grade 1 level. His only off-the-board effort was an outstanding fourth, beaten a
total of a neck after a ludicrously wide trip in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H.
(G1) in his American debut. Also, Cacique has an impeccable Breeders’ Cup
pedigree, being a full brother to past Filly & Mare Turf (G1) heroines Intercontinental (GB) and Banks Hill (GB),
as well as Dansili (GB), who was a late-flying
third in the 2000 Mile (G1).

Unlike his archrival, English Channel is a proven commodity at 1 1/2 miles,
including terrific efforts in the past two runnings of the Joe Hirsch Turf
Classic Invitational S. (G1). The Todd Pletcher trainee avenged his narrow loss
in the 2005 Joe Hirsch with a 4 1/2-length romp over a lackluster bunch in this
year’s edition. There’s been a feast-or-famine aspect to English Channel’s 2006
campaign, as he’s alternated between determined scores and rank fourths. He
settled beautifully in the Joe Hirsch, however, when his rabbit, ICY ATLANTIC
(Stormy Atlantic), did his job. It would be no surprise to see English Channel
profit from a similar set-up here, but he never menaced in last year’s Turf.

T. H. APPROVAL (With Approval) is a marathon specialist, boasting four Grade
2 scores at distances of 1 3/8 miles up to 1 3/4 miles. This is a marked step up
in class for a horse who will be making his first start outside of California,
but the Eduardo Inda charge is an improving sort who could close for a minor
award. European invader RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) is a fascinating
outsider. Although he’s just a three-year-old who may find these seasoned
veterans too tough, he has placed in his last four races in strong company,
including a second to eventual Arc hero Rail Link (Dansili [GB]). Representing
the potent stable of Englishman Brian Meehan, the dark bay will get first-time
Lasix and should prefer dropping back to 12 furlongs. BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin
Man), successful in the 2004 Turf, can mix it up with the best of them, but he’s
not the most consistent type. Still, trainer Graham Motion has been adamant all
year that the seven-year-old is as good now as he ever was, and if he’s on his
game, Better Talk Now can spring a surprise.

GO DEPUTY
(Deputy Minister) has developed into a first-rate performer this season for
Pletcher, but his heroic effort in defeat in the Canadian International S.
(Can-G1) came a mere 13 days ago. For a horseman who usually prefers four to
five weeks between starts, that’s an awfully quick turnaround. RUSH BAY (Cozzene)
has respectable form over the Churchill course. While he scored a gritty victory
over a couple of tough customers in a Canadian Grade 2 at Woodbine two starts
back, we would have preferred another spot for his Grade 1 debut. Although
SILVERFOOT (With Approval) boasts a perfect four-for-four mark over the course,
those came against lesser company, and he’s been well beaten by a few others
here. Icy Atlantic will backpedal once his pacesetting task is accomplished.