Breeders' Cup Day One Preview 2022

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint kicks off the 2022 Breeders Cup’ where twelve line up for around $630,000 over a sharp 5f 110y.

We have two selections in this starting with Love Reigns who we advised at 8/1 in last week’s ante-post picks with the recent draw resulting in a flurry of money for her on Monday evening.

Wesley Ward, who is renowned for his sprinters, has won the past three renewals of this, and this daughter of US Navy Flag has plenty going for her.

Unbeaten on home soil, her only defeat came in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, which is the same path taken by 2021 winner Twilight Gleaming.

That defeat can be marked up as it was just her second career outing being shipped across the globe and making all on the straight at Ascot is a tough test for any horse.

This race has eluded the Europeans thus far however we wouldn’t rule out a big run from both of Dramatised and Mischief Magic, with the latter narrowly earning our second vote for the red hot Charlie Appleby.

Godolphin's top trainer had a magnificent 2021 Breeders’ Cup and this son of Exceed And Excel is one who may benefit from the hot pace on offer.

It will be interesting to see what Buick chooses to do, but there is plenty of speed up his inside, so he may just take a pull and try to take the race late.

This horse fired himself into the top sprint division with an impressive victory from stall 12 in the Sirenia and his effort in the Middle Park proved he is of G1 quality.

Next up is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies where fourteen battle it out on the Dirt for around $1.2m in prize money.

We are keeping the favourite on side here as Todd Pletcher’s 3yo filly Chocolate Gelato was very impressive when bolting up at Saratoga and the form of that race has been working out nicely.

She proved she gets the trip when a gutsy winner at Belmont upped in grade the last time and the winner of that event also managed the double in this last year.

At longer odds we are backing Chop Chop to run a big race under Joel Rosario.

Rosario has landed this a remarkable three times in the past four seasons and this filly let her rivals get a run on her when making an eye-catching move around the field to finish second last time out.

She was gaining on Wonder Wheel that day making the price differential unjustified.

The third race on the card is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf where sixteen line up back on the turf track.

Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate heads the UK market and we aren’t going to knock her chances however there are several with claims at much longer odds.

Firstly, Pleasant Passage arrives here after back-to-back impressive victories where she has showed versatility which can prove crucial in these races.

She came from the rear to win on debut at Saratoga and then dictated at Belmont making all before fending off a challenge from two of today’s rivals (Free Look & Be Your Best.

Irad looks an interesting booking for a handy draw.

The aforementioned Free Look & Be Your Best both ran well in a key trial for this so we won't rule out a big run from either.

Free Look represents a yard that do well in this race, but at longer odds, Be Your Best represents value.

This sprint sire has been known to implement stamina to his progeny and we feel he'll enjoy this big field scenario.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile sees yet another Bob Baffert prospect look to confirm their stardom as the unbeaten Cave Rock heads the betting at 4/5.

Clocking some exceptional times and flooring all rivals to date, this son of the late Arrogate will take some stopping, however he is priced accordingly sitting odds-on in the betting.

Our choice of the opposition is Todd Pletcher’s Forte.

His course experience having landed the Breeders' Futurity may prove key and he is just the type that will be staying on at the finish again here.

His sole defeat can be excused as it saw him flash home over an inadequate trip and jockey Irad Ortiz was quoted to say he won with something up his sleeve the last time.

The final race on the first day is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf where Charlie Appleby and Godolphin look to make it back to back victories following last year's success with Modern Games.

The US runners don't set a high standard and Victoria Road is barely Aidan O'Brien's top juvenile so this looks set up for Silver Knott who got the better of a decent field in the Autumn Stakes.

Despite his pedigree, he looks at home on quicker ground, and the cruising speed he showed at Sandown should enable Buick to get into a handy position from stall 4.

This race has a real open look to it away from the market principal making it worth an each-way play at one of the bigger prices.

We've landed on Webslinger (33/1) who flew wide around the field to win in impressive fashion at Monmouth Park.

Mark Casse's 2yo looked to relish the increase in journey and rider Dylan Davis will likely use similar tactics from stall 10.

We were onside with this trainer's outsider (Grafton Street 33/1) in the race last term who collected some nice place money and Webslinger has an almost identical profile.