Stars Are Out For Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races

It is last call for connections that have their sights on Churchill Downs on Nov. 5-6 for the 27th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The stars will be out from Belmont Park to Keeneland to Oak Tree at Hollywood Park, as many top rated horses will be making their final starts before racing’s championship two day event next month.

There are eight Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races on Saturday, four at Keeneland, two at Belmont Park, and two at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park.

The winners of the races earn automatic starting berths in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup races.

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? Find out more exciting details HERE.]

The $250,000 Ancient Title Stakes (G1) at Hollywood Park features last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) champion Dancing in Silks, who comes into the race riding a three race losing streak and needs to put in a good performance in order to be a factor in next month’s Sprint.

Two-year-olds take center stage at Belmont Park, with the $300,000 Frizette (G1) and $300,000 Champagne (G1) bringing together some of the most promising young horses on the east coast.

In addition, the $250,000 Jamaica Handicap (G1) is on the card. The nine-furlong turf event drew a competitive field of eleven three-year-olds.

The action is hot and heavy throughout the weekend at Keeneland, which opened for its 17-day fall meeting on Friday.

There are six graded stakes on Saturday’s eleven race card including the first Arabian race even run at Keeneland, the $50,000 President of United Arab Emirates Cup (G1).

The headliner is Gio Ponti, last years’ Eclipse Award winner for top older and turf male, who is the 8/5 morning line favorite in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), the richest race of the Keeneland meeting.

Here is a look at the Late Pick 4 at Keeneland:

Keeneland Race 7 The Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) Post time 4:11 ET

With #6 Informed Decision looking as if she may have lost a step and #3 Sweet August Moon not beating much in her last two wins, let’s take a stab with longshot #4 Ivory Empress. Our top pick made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot on dirt at Delaware Park behind a good runner in Secret Gypsy, who has popped triple digit Beyers five times in her career and has won seven of 15 starts. The Wilkes runner is making her third start of her current form cycle and she has handled poly versus cheaper, her poly win coming against Alw-1 company at Arlington Park last year. She was outrun here last fall in the Raven Run (G2) but she looks like she has matured since then and she is going to be a big price in here.

Selections: #4 Ivory Empress – #8 Dubai Majesty – #6 Informed Decision

Keeneland Race 8 The Abu Dhabi First Lady (G1) Post time 4:42 ET
#7 Proviso returns off a two-month break and goes for her fourth consecutive Grade 1 win here. The mare prevailed in the Diana (G1) last out in a four-way photo. The fourth place finisher #4 Dynaslew came out of the race to win the Ballston Spa (G2) in her next outing on Aug. 28 at the Spa. She won at a mile two and three back and can sit off the pace or is capable of sitting just off it. I cannot find any real knocks on this gal except for the light price.

Selections: #7 Proviso – #4 Dynaslew – #8 Wasted Tears

Keeneland Race 9 The Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity G1 Post time 5:13 ET
#6 Lou Brissie was bumped coming out of the gate and faded badly after six furlongs last out when trying a route on turf. Air Support came out of the race to win the Pilgrim (G3) at Belmont Park on Oct. 3 and the colt showed some real promise by taking the Ky. Juvie (G2) in his first start against winners back in April. The fact that Howard brings him back in stake company hints that the sharp barn is going to get this guy to bounce back with a better effort here. Albarado takes the call and was aboard this guy in his debut win. The colt is a half to stakes winner Fearless Cowboy ($188K).

Selections: #6 Lou Brissie – #3 J.B.’s Thunder – #9 Rough Sailing

Keeneland Race 10 The Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) Post time 5:45 ET
#6 Enriched ships in from the left coast for the O’Neill barn and the gelding is coming off a sharp score in the Del Mar Mile (G2) in gate to wire fashion. It does not look as if this guy is a need to lead type, and his career top, a 111 Beyer, he tracked the early pacesetter. His last three turf starts were solid and while he steps into a Grade 1, he may have the tactical advantage as #4 Gio Ponti is better going an extra furlong and #3 Courageous Cat is coming off a long layoff.

Selections: #6 Enriched – #4 Gio Ponti – #3 Courageous Cat