The 2024 Breeders’ Cup takes place down “Where the surf meets the turf’ at Del Mar, a track as renowned for tight turns as its association with Bing Crosby and black-and-white era Hollywood glamour.
Frankie Dettori, riding at the track for the first time on Wednesday, gave punters some clear guidance as to the importance of being drawn low, telling reporters:
“You do not want to be drawn high, anything above seven on the turf track you really have little chance.
“You cannot get yourself into a decent position unless you are up with the pace, because the winning the post is almost just over a furlong from the entrance to the straight.
It’s advice we have borne in mind for our Breeders’ 2024 best bets.
Breeders’ Cup 2024 tips
Friday 23:05 – Lake Victoria to win @ 10/11
Saturday 21:01 – Jayarebe to win @ 5/1
Saturday 21:41 – Forever Young to win @ 5/1
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
Unbeaten Victoria should prove class apart in Juvenile Fillies Turf
Aidan O’Brien’s LAKE VICTORIA (nap) was a comfortable winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last time and that run puts the unbeaten daughter of Frankel in a different Parish to her Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf rivals.
She’s 12lbs clear of next-best Thought Process on Racing Post Ratings and there’s every expectation that she won’t see another rival after she breaks from her berth in stall one. Previously a scorer on good-to-firm ground, the firm surface at Del Mar is unlikely to prove problematic.
Tip: Friday 23:05 – Lake Victoria to win @ 10/11
Backing Meehan BC Turf runner is a matter of simple Economics
The Breeders’ Cup Turf (21:01) looks like a competitive affair, with five runners rated within 4lbs of top-rated Luxembourg on official ratings. They include 2022 winner Rebel’s Romance and Far Bridge, who arrives in Del Mar bidding to complete a hat-trick of consecutive Group 1 wins at the 1m4f trip.
However, the selection here is three-year-old JAYAREBE, who will be aided in his bid to improve past those rivals by a 4lbs weight-for-age allowance and a handy stall-five draw.
Trainer Brian Meehan may not have the profile he once had, but the Manton handler has twice landed this race with Red Rocks (2006) and Dangerous Midge (2010). His colt took out the Group 2 Prix Dollar on Arc Weekend but is arguably more flattered by his 2l defeat to the now-123-rated Economics in August.
Tip: Saturday 21:01 – Jayarebe to win @ 5/1
Dirt-versed Japanese raider can make up for Kentucky Derby disappointment
City Of Troy is almost certain to go off favourite for Aidan O’Brien as he bids to become only the third European-trained winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic after Ravens Pass (2008) and Arcangues (1993).
Yet, for all the master of Ballydoyle has attempted to prepare him for this race with an away day gallop on the Southwell Tapeta, the four-time Group 1 winner has yet to prove himself as effective on dirt.
Japanese raider FOREVER YOUNG is backed against him having shown himself well capable of winning this when beaten a short head into third in a three-way photo behind Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby.
That constitutes the sole career defeat for Yoshito Yahagi’s colt, who may well still be unbeaten but for fluffing the start at Churchill Downs, having had to make up plenty of ground on the first and second.
Drawn one, the mount of Ryusei Sakai can claim a far more promising early position at Del Mar and right the wrongs of the ‘Race for the Roses’ at City Of Troy’s expense.
