This is one of the premier events at the entire festival and it looks like a real showdown between two European-based runner, the well-regarded Goldikova and the awesome Delegator. Both have had very busy and impressive seasons and they could very well pull this one off and cap off fantastic years. There does not appear to be a strong American challenge in this one as Cowboy Cal, the fifth favourite is the only US-based horse of note.
Goldikova has been a favourite of the British Racing Press heading into Santa Anita and she is set to defend her Breeders Cup Mile title against all comers. She bested a tough field last year that included Kip Deville and then rounded off this year with a 71113 record. She scored in Group 1 events all over the place and was based in France for most of the 2009 summer. Goldikova is trading at 2.72 on Betfair and 8/5 in the morning line.
Delegator is listed in the ML at 3/1 and is attracting a Betfair price of around 6.0. He came second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes against Rip Van Winkle and he represents what could be Godolphin's best chance to take a major victory at the festival.
Another Godolphin-trained runner is Gladiatorus, a 4 year-old bay colt out of Gmaasha by Silic. He took the Group 1 Premio Vettorio Di Capua at San Siro Racecourse. He has a very good stint in Dubai this year at Nad Al Sheba and I expect him to be a real surprise today. Gladiatorus is the value play here and is a whopping 20/1 morning line and a mere 10.0 on Betfair. That tells you something.
Keep your eyes on Cowboy Cal and Courageous Cat to play the spoilers for the imports.
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