Breeders' Cup Juvenile Preview

Better The Devil You Know - Daredevil is fancied to land the Juvenile

The Juvenile is one of my favourite races at the Breeders’ Cup meeting and this year’s race looks like being a classic with two very highly rated colts squaring off.

Bob Baffert’s American Pharaoh and Todd Pletcher’s Daredevil both look destined for big things and their showdown at Santa Anita will definitely be one to savour.

It’s the Pletcher colt I’m siding with though on the back of his effortless Champagne Stakes win at the beginning of the month at Belmont. The Champagne has become a really great guide to the Juvenile with, in the previous four years alone, Uncle Mo, Union Rags, Shanghai Bobby and Havana all winning the Champagne prior to then either winning or placing in the Juvenile.

Pletcher and Baffert both have good records in the Juvenile but at the prices Daredevil makes more appeal, even though his Champagne win came on a sloppy track, which obviously barring some freak weather he won’t get in California and of course Santa Anita is American Pharaoh’s own back yard.

It’s not just about the top two though as Carpe Diem also looks a very smart and The Great War, disappointing really so far for Aidan O’Brien, could finally fulfil his promise switched to dirt given that he’s by War Front.

The top two in the betting will be very hard to beat though and a pulsating stretch duel would be quite the spectacle, both look special but Daredevil really impressed in the Champagne and he looks more than capable of enhancing Champagne Stakes winners’ already stellar record in the Juvenile.

Recommendation:

Daredevil 1pt win @ 7/2 (Bet365, Paddy Power, Stan James)