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Bob Baffert doesn't train Bolt D'Oro but he does have a seriously strong Classic hand

Breeders’ Cup 2017: Matt Brocklebank's best bets for the feature action at Del Mar on Saturday November 4

Horse Racing

Sun November 05, 2017 · 7y ago

Our man in Del Mar nailed an opening-night winner and feels Bob Baffert can land a fourth straight Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday. Don't miss his latest recommended bets.

A stunning evening lies in store on Breeders’ Cup Saturday and BOLT D’ORO is the talk of the town as he bids to maintain his unblemished record in the Juvenile Turf.

Trainer Mick Ruis surprised a few onlookers by stating he had a younger filly that had been beating up Bolt D’Oro in the gallops at Wednesday's press conference, but some of the blown-up bluster ahead of a meeting of this magnitude can often get in the way of the cold, hard evidence.

The primary exhibit in this compelling case is arguably his course victory in the Del Mar Futurity at the September meeting, a performance which demonstrated his suitability to the track and his ability to compete at the highest level.

The manner of his subsequent, wide-margin success in the Frontrunner Stakes at Santa Anita may have been exaggerated slightly by a hot tempo set up front, but it was a stylish display all the same.

Local hacks believe he’ll be long odds-on in the pools come the off so paying for the rest of the night with the general 5/4 back home makes sense all round.

Rumours suggesting Ulysses wasn't quite striding out in his morning track work earlier in the week appear to have subsided but it’s just about enough to put me off backing him to beat last year’s Turf hero Highland Reel, who is bound to be dangerous from the front again, so I’d rather focus on a fantastic renewal of the the Filly & Mare Turf.

Lady Eli is a genuine darling of the East Coast scene and she’s obviously a huge player, along with Rhododendron, who has had breathing problems in the past and benefits from the use of Lasix, which could take her to the next level.

The value call is WUHEIDA for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. She’s probably not won as many races as might have been the case given her raw ability but she obviously wasn’t right at the start of the year and has had quite a light campaign.

Beaten less than a length when fourth behind Rhododendron in the Prix de l’Opera on Arc day, she’s expected to benefit from the slight drop in trip and return to quicker ground, something Appleby is adamant will be in her favour.

He also applies headgear for the first time and if the cheekpieces eke out a little more improvement then we could be in business from stall five.

Charlie Appleby speaks on his Breeders' Cup hopefuls

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic could be impossible to replicate when it comes to pure racing theatre, but the ingredients are all there for another memorable finale.

Confidence appears to have grown around the reigning champ Arrogate in the past fortnight and quite how good Steve Asmussen’s Gun Runner has become since finishing third in last year’s Dirt Mile probably won’t be known entirely until he’s challenged in the final furlong.

The long-time favourite has never won at 10 furlongs which can’t be underestimated, despite the sharp nature of the track.

Bob Baffert had to wait two decades to win the Classic before three came along in the past three years and the standout theme is that they’ve all been three-year-olds.

The younger generation may not be the most distinguished this time around but WEST COAST hasn’t put a foot wrong, gradually rising through the ranks each month and notching back-to-back Grade One wins in the Travers and the Pennsylvania Derby most recently.

He’s obviously progressing rapidly and, having never run lower than a triple-digit speed figure, looks nailed on to produce something positive on the biggest night of the year for his genius handler.