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Breeding confidence

Awesome Arazi evokes Breeders' Cup memories

Last updated: 6th November 2009

Mastercraftsman: decent bet

The synthetic surfaces haven't been widely embraced in the States, though, with some American trainers calling for the dirt to be reinstated. Let's hope that synthetic surfaces are here to stay.

Alex Quinn
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This week we're off Stateside as the Breeders' Cup takes centre stage at Santa Anita this weekend.

It's an event I love and I have many fantastic memories from these thoroughbred world championships over the years, none more so than Arazi annihilating the opposition in the 1991 Juvenile.

In the years that have followed there have been many great performances and last year Europe did particularly well at this year's venue, Santa Anita, and we'll be hoping for much of the same this time round.

Pro-Ride surface favours European raiders

Artificial surfaces have been introduced at some US venues of late with Pro-Ride the choice at the California track.

The Santa Anita surface (as opposed to a dirt track) is beneficial to our chances of success and is also of benefit to the welfare of the thoroughbred so it can only be a good thing.

The synthetic surfaces haven't been widely embraced in the States, though, with some American trainers calling for the dirt to be reinstated. Let's hope that synthetic surfaces are here to stay.

There are some great punting opportunities over the two-day meeting, so, without getting too involved into the intricacies of form let's cut to the chase and spin through the main races and hopefully pinpoint a winner or two for you.

Home Bird fancied to catch Rip Van Winkle napping

Let's start at the top with the Classic run over a mile and a quarter on the Pro-Ride surface.

Last year Raven's Pass won it for John Gosden beating Aidan O'Brien's Henrythenavigator. The Ballydoyle camp will be hoping to go one better this year with the tough and talented Rip Van Winkle who suffers recurrent problems with his feet.

He won Ascot's QEII Stakes last time out which is the race Raven's Pass took en-route to Breeders' Cup glory. So he is a top class performer, but he could be vulnerable over a mile and a quarter and from a wide draw.

Although he is hard to oppose on the face of it I think the value bet is with Summer Bird (7/1 with Sky Bet), America's outstanding three-year-old male. He will be having his first experience of a synthetic surface on the night although he does train on one and that puts him at a slight disadvantage.

Zenyatta has no problems with the surface but she takes on the colts for the first time in her career in a bid to extend her winning record of 13 from 13. She is the local favourite and although the race maybe missing the likes of Sea The Stars and Rachel Alexandra it is still a superb contest.

Keep faith in Goldikova from high stall gate

The Mile on turf is Goldikova's chance to shine again. She is bidding to emulate the great Miesque by winning back to back runnings of this race.

However, her task has been made considerably harder as she will have to overcome her wide draw in 11. Bookmakers have reacted by pushing her price out and she is now 11/10 favourite with Sky Bet.

Main market rival Delegator is well drawn in 4 for Godolphin and Frankie Dettori. However, I'm hoping Goldikova can overcome adversity and take the spoils and at odds against I'm a player.

However, if she isn't your sort of price I can also recommend Gladiatorus at 12/1. Godolphin's colt bounced back to form in Italy last time out and the configurations of this track will suit him.

Second string Moon to floor defending Turf champion

Another horse aiming for back to back wins is Conduit in the Turf.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt won the King George and was fourth in the Arc last time out and is one of several horses bidding to repeat a win at the 2008 meeting.

Dar Re Mi will be ridden by Frankie Dettori in the race; he rides her for the second time in her career. He replaces Jimmy Fortune at Santa Anita.

Frankie has much more Stateside experience than Jimmy, but there are few stronger than Fortune in a finish and it's a blow to the Irishman who has ridden her to 2 Group 1 victories this season and was first past the post in the Vermeille.

However, I think this could be one for Kieren Fallon in his comeback year. He rides Sir Michael Stoute's other runner Spanish Moon (7/2 with Sky Bet).

The horse is banned from running in the UK due to his previous antics at the starting stalls, but Fallon has said that if his past stalls problems are the only thing he has to worry about then he has nothing to worry about at all.

Breeders' Cup banker for O'Brien can dish dirt on locals

The Dirt Mile is another that the European's have a good chance of winning and Aidan O'Brien's Mastercraftsman is favourite for this one.

He has had a feel of a synthetic surface in a race at Dundalk where he won a Group 3 last time out, so the pro-ride should hold no fears and I'm making him my Breeders' Cup banker - get on at 15/8 with Sky Bet.

Lord Shanakill is one we can probably claim as our own, he runs in the Turf Sprint on Saturday. He has his first start for US trainer Richard Mandella, but Jim Crowley retains the ride.

He was a Group 1 winner for Karl Burke in the Prix Jean Prat over a mile and the drop back to six and half furlongs won't inconvenience him.

Cocoa one for the Ladies with Zenyatta re-routed to Classic

A horse that I think can go well at a fair price is Cocoa Beach in the Ladies' Classic on Friday night. This is the race she was second in last year.

Godolphin's mare has been working well just before daybreak and despite not showing the form on the track that she did prior to last year's run she has been moving well in her work and is a value selection at 7/1 with Sky Bet.

Although this is a class contest she isn't facing anything of the quality of last year's winner Zenyatta who runs in the Classic.

Also on Friday Midday goes for glory in the Filly & Mare Turf. The form of Henry Cecil's three year old stands up to close scrutiny after victory in the Nassau Stakes and placings in the English and Irish Oaks. She is 5/2 favourite with Sky Bet.

Pletcher's got the right attitude for Juvenile Fillies' success

Devil May Care is one for your shortlist in the Juvenile Fillies for Todd Pletcher.

She comes into the race unbeaten in two starts on dirt and if she can adapt to the pro-ride she can make it three.

As ever, Sky Bet have come up with some special bets for the meeting. I'm loving the 28/1 on offer for Mastercraftsman, Goldikova and Spanish Moon all to win! They also have Sir Michael Stoute at 3/1 to saddle the 1-2 in the Turf (Spanish Moon and Conduit).

You can have a bet on the number of Godolphin and European winners at the meeting and also get involved in the top European jockey market - Murtagh is even money favourite with Dettori next best at 6/4.

You can also back who you think will be the first winner at the meeting and they have Leger winner Mastery at 7/4 to be the first, the Marathon for Godolphin. Incidentally that's also the price he is to win the opening race of the 2009 Breeders' Cup meeting.

So there is plenty to look forward to over the now two day Breeders' Cup fixture and let's hope we have something to cheer about come midnight on Saturday.

How did Alex fare?

Sky's top tipster recommended Mourilyan as the value bet in the Melbourne Cup last week and the ex-Gary Moore inmate finished third at 20/1 for each-way backers in the race that stops a nation.