2013 Breeders’ Cup Friday Betting Preview Part 3

The Juvenile Turf is the next race on the opening day and there are some extremely lightly-raced contenders (as always) set to line up in this one. The key here is usually to find the contender looking to make the biggest step forward off their last race - particularly ones that have been freshened for two months or more as they will have gained in size and become more mentally capable of handling big crowds on big days as well as having more time to get accustomed to the turf conditions at Santa Anita Park. 

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A pair of European-based colts are going to be competing for the favourites position here for quite a while as Giovanni Boldini and Outstrip both trade around 4/1 with both contenders declared for this race. Giovanni Boldini is by hot sire War Front and is owned by the Coolmore connections. He placed in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh back in September and then followed that up with a confidence-boosting Dundalk score in a listed race. Triumphing by over four lengths on the day, that race is about as solid as anything the contenders in this race have tangled with so the margin of victory also adds to the appeal. 

Outstrip was bested in the Dewhurst but is a Group 2 winner and justifies every bit of that 4/1 ante post price. If the pair ship well and take to the firmer going at Santa Anita it’s clear that either of them could win it. The issue remains, however, that the locals may be in better shape as the Zuma Beach Stakes could prove to be a key race as it’s a course and distance reference despite only being the equivalent of a listed stake. 

Aotearoa won that race with an excellent turn of foot with Corey Nakatani up and delivering at a 13/1 price tag. Measuring in at a full 14/1 here, the bookmakers clearly believe that he still has a lot of room to move forward if he’s going to actually challenge any of the shippers. 

If you are looking to back in-form sires, take a look at third choice ante post contender Bobby’s Kitten who is by Kitten’s Joy (who has enjoyed an electric season) and will line up for Ken and Sarah Ramsey. He won by well over six lengths in the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont on the turf and delivered one of the best speed figures registered by any of the contenders here.