2019 Breeders’ Cup Predictions #7: Narrowing Down Top Choices

Each week leading up to the 2019 Breeders’ Cup, our picks for all 14 races will be posted. Let’s take a look at our sixth set of predictions for the Breeders’ Cup, which will be held November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park:

Saturday, November 2, 2018

Longines Classic

Pick: Code of Honor 

Wow, this race is turning into a mess. Vino Rosso finished ahead of Code of Honor in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) but was disqualified to second, and McKinzie lost to the 25/1 longshot Mongolian Groom in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1). For now, we’ll stick with Code of Honor, who ran extremely well in the Gold Cup and should do even better with a faster pace. 

Longines Turf

Pick: Old Persian 

This race looks to be setting up well for a European shipper. We don’t know who will end up coming over to run in the race, though, which makes it hard to give a pick. With Bricks and Mortar supposedly pointing towards the TVG Mile (G1), the American turf horses look especially vulnerable. Old Persian has proven form in North America after winning at Woodbine last time out. 

Longines Distaff

Pick: Midnight Bisou 

She made it seven straight victories after winning the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. As this point, she looks like a single and is perhaps the most likely Breeders’ Cup winner this year. Her only challenger in this division is Elate, who will be cross-entering in the Classic. 

TVG Mile

Pick: Uni 

We picked her to beat males in the Fourstardave Stakes (G1), so obviously we’ve been high on her all year long. Her dominating win in Keeneland’s First Lady Stakes (G1) was extremely impressive. There is no doubt that she can compete with this group if her connections decide to give it a shot.

Sprint

Pick: Mitole 

The beast returned to form in a major way to dominate the Forego Stakes (G1) last time out at Saratoga. When he’s at his best, he cannot be defeated, but this is a very deep division. He’ll need to show up with a huge effort to get the job done, but a victory here could make him the Horse of the Year. 

Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf

Pick: Sistercharlie

The defending champ will look to make it two in a row. This year, she seems to be running better than ever, simply dominating her competition in her first three starts of the year. She looked better than ever with a big win in the Flower Bowl Stakes (G1) in her final Breeders’ Cup prep. 

Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile

Pick: Omaha Beach 

The Dirt Mile will is where he is pointing according to owner Rick Porter. While the Classic had to be tempting, this spot makes the most since based off only having one 6 furlong race in the last several months. This is also the spot that seems to have the least amount of competition. 

Turf Sprint

Pick: Eddie Haskell 

Even though he lost in the Eddie D Stakes (G2), he still ran very well, despite having a lot to do when entering the stretch. He needs a hot pace up front, which he should get with a full field of sprinters. The loss should make him a decent price as well. 

Filly & Mare Sprint

Pick: Covfefe 

Even though our previous pick for this race (Come Dancing) won at Belmont Park, we are still changing it. Covfefe was magnificent in her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, dominating the Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs by 8 lengths. This filly has developed very nicely over the course of her 3-year-old season and could be set up for the best performance of her career in the biggest spot. 

Future Stars Friday, November 1, 2019

TVG Juvenile

Pick: Eight Rings 

This is one we’ll go back and forth on until the week of the race. Eight Rings was very impressive in his American Pharoah Stakes (G1) victory, even though he was a bit green in the stretch. He’ll have to clean up that kind of stuff in this spot, with Dennis’ Moment still looming large. Maxfield also looks to be a strong contender, making this extremely tough. 

Juvenile Turf

Pick: Decorated Invader

An impressive win in the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine lands this horse as our choice. Even though he broke poorly, he was able to rally for an easy win, showing a solid turn of foot. European shippers always have a say in this race, and we won’t know who is shipping in until a bit closer to the event, but for now, this is the pick.

Juvenile Fillies

Pick: British Idiom 

A few weeks ago, Bast looked like a lock in this spot after a big win in the Chandelier Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. Then, British Idiom impressively won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, which makes this division much more interesting. We might waver on this pick, but for now, British Idiom has our full attention.   

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Pick: Daahyeh 

Hopefully, this filly will ship over to run in this spot, which seems to be a little soft at the moment. Last time out, she won the Shadwell Rockfell Stakes (G2) in impressive fashion at Newmarket. She has never been worse than second in five lifetime starts. 

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Pick: Four Wheel Drive 

His win in the Futurity Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park was impressive enough to think that he can win a race of this magnitude.  This still seems to be a wide-open affair right now, though, so this pick could still change.