Breeders’ Cup Day Two: Spencer to bow out in style on Just the Judge

Friday was a great start to a bumper Breeders’ Cup meeting, but now we prepare for the main event, with nine championship races on offer in southern California.

The big one sees Shared Belief look to maintain his unbeaten career in the Classic, and frankly it’s hard to see who beats him. But at 6/4 he’s not a particularly tempting betting proposition.

So with that in mind, we have picked out a trio of nags to put your faith in to claim glory across the pond.

It’s set to be a busy day for our racing traders, with our 4/1 Free Bet offer continuing into the night at Santa Anita*.

Just the Judge – Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Turf – 8/1

It has been reported that Jamie Spencer sees Charlie Hills’ mare as probably his best shot to end his career with a Breeders’ Cup win to his name, so that tells a story.

Dank won this race well last year, and heads the market again, but with runners in that race subsequently showing figures of 1 -10 since, it’s easy to crab that form, and that’s without factoring Dank’s poor season so far.

The selection warmed up for this nicely, winning the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, showing that the trip across the Atlantic hasn’t taken it out of her.

She is worth siding with on ground that she will relish.

No Nay Never – Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – 5/1

When Wesley Ward describes one of his runner’s as “the ultimate specimen of a horse” and “probably one of the smartest horses I have ever trained”, you need to take note.

Last year’s explosive Norfolk Stakes winner at Royal Ascot returned from a seven month break to win nicely at Keeneland.

He is set to retire to Coolmore Stud after a crack at the race at Santa Anita, and connections will be desperate for him to bow out with his turf record unblemished.

Some smart types will line up against him, but we just have to back him.

Upstart – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – 10/1

With strong ante-post favourite for the Juvenile, American Pharaoh, ruled out, this race looks a whole lot more open.

Upstart lost his unbeaten record to Daredevil, who he reopposes here, last time out, and is subsequently four times the price for this contest.

But it is worth baring in mind that that contest was on ground described as ‘Sloppy’, and probably didn’t suit Richard Violette Jr’s colt.

Now on faster ground, conditions Daredevil hasn’t competed on, we fancy the tables to be turned here.

Aidan O’Brien throws an interesting one in The Great War at this one, but other than that, many others look likely to be outclassed.

All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing