Frankie: Spain Burg is my best chance at the Breeders’ Cup

I’ve touched down in the States and I’m getting geared up for another terrific Breeders’ Cup in sunny Santa Anita. It’s one of the busiest times of the year for me, having travelled over from Australia.

We didn’t get the run we wanted on Wicklow Brave in the Melbourne Cup and it was always going to be tough from such a wide draw. I was disappointed but mercifully I’ve got no time to lick my wounds.

The Breeders’ Cup comes with a healthy dose of hype and an awful lot of rivalry when the Europeans come over to take on the American horses.

That rivalry is something I relish.

Spain Burg is my big hope in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and if I’m honest she looks like my likeliest chance of a winner this weekend.

Winning the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket brought us here and she’s such a likeable filly. The way she ran on at HQ shows you the step up in trip to a mile should be no problem at all. She’s going in the right direction and I’ll be gutted if she doesn’t go well.

She’s had a good workout at Keeneland and she’s adjusted to her surroundings well which is always a massive positive. I’m happy with the draw as well so it’s all systems go ahead of Friday’s race.

Earlier in the day I’ll be on board Rodaini in the Juvenile Turf. It’s a race I’ve won three times so I’ve every confidence but this is a really tough assignment with the home team looking very strong.

That said, Rodaini didn’t really get the chance to show what he’s capable of in his last outing so I’d be willing to look beyond that run and expect a better performance this time around.

Moving on to Saturday and Queen’s Trust is my ride in the Filly & Mare Turf. Sir Michael Stoute knows exactly what it takes to win this race so I could scarcely hope for a better trainer in the race.

Lady Eli and Seventh Heaven are two top class fillies but my girl will be ready to pounce if they don’t run their races and she’s got a better chance than might first appear.

I’ll also be riding Sir Michael’s Ulysses in the Turf. It’s the first time I’ve been on the horse but he’s got lots of ability and is the kind of middle distance specialist who ought to thrive in a race like this.

It’s tough to pick holes in the likes of Found and I love her to bits for various reasons but she’s been on the go for a long while now.

My horse won the Gordon Stakes in the Summer and has had only one other race since the Derby so should be nicely freshened up. That could well stand us in better stead than some of our rivals on Saturday.

I’ve got so many great memories of the Breeders’ Cup. It makes me feel a little old when I think back to my first win on Barathea way back in 1994.

There are no easy races at such a high profile meeting but with Spain Burg leading the way, I’m looking to give my followers at least one flying dismount this weekend.

Oh, and for those who haven’t heard, I’ve joined the world of Twitter which is very exciting.

You can follow me @FrankieDettori.

Good luck!

Frankie

All Odds and Makrets are correct as of the date of publishing