Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday Turf Preview: November 4, 2023

The Breeders’ Cup inches ever closer. The 2023 rendition will take place at historic Santa Anita Park. November 4th, will showcase the best older horses in the world battling for divisional supremacy.

Future Stars Friday Previews

Missed the first two installments of our preview series? Check them out on Betting News. Check out the talented young rookies looking to come over and establish themselves as the leader in the clubhouse for their three year old campaigns.

• Future Stars Turf Race Preview
• Future Stars Dirt Race Preview

Championship Saturday

While the two days of the Breeders’ Cup is always full of excitement, the heavyweight showdowns really begin on Saturday. Friday is like the college football national championship.

The horses may throw down like Matt Leinart and Vince Young in the 2005 title game, but until they back it up as older horses against better competition they are still just young talent.

Saturday however, it is Brady vs. Manning, Mahomes vs. Allen. This is when the established superstars of the game come out to earn the title of world champion.

Here’s a look at the turf races slated for Championship Saturday.

Breeders’ Cup Championship Saturday Turf Preview

The theme for the Saturday turf races in not that different from the races on Friday. European runners typically fair better over the longer distance turf races where gate speed is less of an issue.

Just as with the Juveniles, the turf sprints when the races are run at Santa Anita are particularly challenging due to the extra short nature of the sprints based on the track’s configuration.

*The races have not yet officially taken entries yet so the horses listed are just probable and may choose other races or not enter the race.

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

• Distance: 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs)
• Surface: Run on turf.
• Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a $2 million race for fillies and mares three years and older. It features some of the world’s best turf distaff runners, with winners like Tepin and Ouija Board. The race was introduced in 1999 and has grown in stature since.

Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Fev Rover (USA)

• Record: 19-6-4-3
• Regular Jockey: J Castellano
• Trainer: M Casse
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 E.P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine

Didia (USA)

• Record: 13-9-2-0
• Regular Jockey: V Cheminaud
• Trainer: I Correas
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Songline (Japan)

• Record: 16-7-3-1
• Regular Jockey: K Tosaki
• Trainer: T Hayashi
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen

Warm Heart (United Kingdom)

• Record: 8-5-1-0
• Regular Jockey: J Doyle
• Trainer: A O’Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp

Inspiral (United Kingdom)

• Record: 12-8-2-0
• Regular Jockey: F Dettori
• Trainer: J Gosden
• Key Race(s): Back to back Grade 1 wins including the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket

In Italian (USA)

• Record: 13-7-5-1
• Regular Jockey: J Rosario
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park

Gina Romantica

• Record: 10-5-2-0
• Regular Jockey: T Gaffalione
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland

Mckulick (USA)

• Record: 13-5-5-2
• Regular Jockey: I Oritz
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga

With The Moonlight (United Kingdom)

• Record: 14-6-4-1
• Regular Jockey: W Buick
• Trainer: C Appleby
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the E. P. Taylor at Woodbine behind Fev Rover

Lindy (USA)

• Record: 8-4-3-0
• Regular Jockey: T Gaffalione
• Trainer: B Walsh
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland

Kelina (France)

• Record: 9-4-1-0
• Regular Jockey: M Guyon
• Trainer: C Laffon-Parias
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix De La Foret at Longchamp

Moira (Canada)

• Record: 12-5-4-1
• Regular Jockey: R Hernandez
• Trainer: K Attard
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine behind Fev Rover

State Occasion (United Kingdom)

• Record: 19-5-3-4
• Regular Jockey: R Ryan
• Trainer: R Beckett
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Upavon Stakes at Salisbury

Mqse De Sevigne

• Record: 13-4-6-1
• Regular Jockey: A Puchin
• Trainer: A Fabre
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Sun Chariot Stakes from Newmarket behind Insprial

Lumiere Rock (Ireland)

• Record: 11-2-5-1
• Regular Jockey: D McMonagle
• Trainer: J O’Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Moyglare Jewel Blandford Stakes at the Curragh

Al Husn (United Kingdom)

• Record: 12-7-1-0
• Regular Jockey: J Crowley
• Trainer: R Varian
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood

Win Marilyn (Japan)

• Record: 20-6-2-1
• Regular Jockey: M Matsuoka
• Trainer: T Tezuka
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin

Breeders’ Cup Mile

• Distance: 1 mile (8 furlongs)
• Surface: Run on turf.
• Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Mile is a $2 million turf race that attracts top-class milers. Past winners include Wise Dan and Miesque. The 1984 inaugural edition is noteworthy for Lure’s victory in 1992.

Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Up To The Mark (USA)

• Record: 11-6-0-2
• Jockey: J Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland

Casa Creed (USA)

• Record: 33-9-5-5
• Jockey: L Saez
• Trainer: W Mott
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga

Exaulted (USA)

• Record: 16-5-4-4
• Jockey: J Hernandez
• Trainer: P Eurton
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita Park

Master Of The Seas (United Kingdom)

• Record: 15-7-3-2
• Jockey: J Doyle
• Trainer: C Appleby
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile

Gear Jockey (USA)

• Record: 19-5-4-4
• Jockey: J Lezcano
• Trainer: G Arnold
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs

Songline (Japan)

• Record: 16-7-3-1
• Regular Jockey: K Tosaki
• Trainer: T Hayashi
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen

Inspiral (United Kingdom)

• Record: 12-8-2-0
• Regular Jockey: F Dettori
• Trainer: J Gosden
• Key Race(s): Back to back Grade 1 wins including the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket

Lukka (USA)

• Record: 9-3-4-2
• Jockey: J Gonzalez
• Trainer: P Baeza Alamos
• Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Chile

In Italian (USA)

• Record: 13-7-5-1
• Regular Jockey: J Rosario
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park

Du Jour (USA)

• Record: 15-5-3-2
• Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: B Baffert
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile

Masteroffoxhounds (USA)

• Record: 26-4-5-6
• Jockey: E Maldonado
• Trainer: Philip D’Amato
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the John Henry Turf Championship

Annapolis (USA)

• Record: 13-6-4-0
• Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): 4th in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland behind Up To The Mark

Shirl’s Speight (Canada)

• Record: 18-5-2-2
• Jockey: J Velazquez
• Trainer: R Attfield
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile behind Master of the Seas

More Than Looks (USA)

• Record: 7-4-1-1
• Jockey: J Velazquez
• Trainer: C DeVaux
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs

Lucky Score (Canada)

• Record: 19-6-4-5
• Jockey: S Civaci
• Trainer: M Casse
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine

Astronomer (USA)

• Record: 7-3-1-0
• Jockey: A Fresu
• Trainer: S Callaghan
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile Stakes at Santa Anita

Kelina (France)

• Record: 9-4-1-0
• Regular Jockey: M Guyon
• Trainer: C Laffon-Parias
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qatar Prix De La Foret at Longchamp

Mawj (United Kingdom)

• Record: 9-6-1-1
• Jockey: O Murphy
• Trainer: S bin Suroor
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland

Win Carnelian (Japan)

• Record: 23-8-3-0
• Jockey: K Miura
• Trainer: Y Shikato
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai

Kinross (United Kingdom)

• Record: 28-10-3-3
• Jockey: F Dettori
• Trainer: R Beckett
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 City of York Stakes

Chaldean (United Kingdom)

• Record: 10-5-1-0
• Jockey: F Dettori
• Trainer: A Balding
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Qipico 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket

Breeders’ Cup Turf

• Distance: 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)
• Surface: Run on turf.
• Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Turf is a prestigious grass race for three-year-olds and older. It’s a $4 million race featuring elite turf horses. Historical moments include the iconic victory of Conduit in 2008 and the incredible feat of Highland Reel in 2016.

Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Up To The Mark (USA)

• Record: 11-6-0-2
• Jockey: J Ortiz
• Trainer: T Pletcher
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland

Gold Phoenix (USA)

• Record: 16-6-3-3
• Jockey: J Hernandez
• Trainer: P D’Amato
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap

Get Smokin (USA)

• Record: 27-6-7-2
• Jockey: F De La Cruz
• Trainer: M Casse
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs

Bolshoi Ballet (Ireland)

• Record: 17-5-1-3
• Jockey: J Velazquez
• Trainer: A ‘Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Belmont Park

Mostahdaf (United Kingdom)

• Record: 16-10-2-0
• Jockey: F Dettori
• Trainer: J Gosden
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot

Raptor’s (Brazil)

• Record: 8-4-3-0
• Jockey: J Moreira
• Trainer: L Esteves
• Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Brazil

Augustine Rodin (Ireland)

• Record: 9-6-1-0
• Jockey: R Moore
• Trainer: A ‘Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

Lukka (USA)

• Record: 9-3-4-2
• Jockey: J Gonzalez
• Trainer: P Baeza Alamos
• Key Race(s): 2 Time Grade 1 winner in Chile

Soldier Rising (USA)

• Record: 20-4-9-3
• Jockey: D Davis
• Trainer: C Clement
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Sword Dancer behind Bolshoi Ballet

War Like Goddess (USA)

• Record: 17-11-2-2
• Jockey: J Alvarado
• Trainer: W Mott
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park

Balldeer (USA)

• Record: 18-4-2-2
• Jockey: V Espinoza
• Trainer: G Papaprodromou
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf at Santa Anita

Adhamo (USA)

• Record: 19-5-3-5
• Jockey: K Kimura
• Trainer: C Brown
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Canadian International at Woodbine

Cellist (USA)

• Record: 17-3-5-3
• Jockey: M Garcia
• Trainer: G Arnold
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland

Piz Badile (Ireland)

• Record: 9-3-2-2
• Jockey: G Ryan
• Trainer: D O’Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh

Broome (Ireland)

• Record: 38-9-6-2
• Jockey: D McMonagle
• Trainer: A ‘Brien
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Dubai Gold Cup

Planetario (USA)

• Record: 14-6-1-0
• Jockey: H Berrios
• Trainer: R Mandella
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita

Onesto (France)

• Record: 12-3-2-1
• Jockey: M Guyon
• Trainer: F Frankreich
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp

Shahryar (Japan)

• Record: 12-4-1-2
• Jockey: T Yokoyama
• Trainer: H Fujiwara
• Key Race(s): 5th in the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

• Distance: 5 furlongs
• Surface: Run on turf.
• Significance: The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is a $1 million race over a unique 5-furlong distance on the turf. Notable winners include Mizdirection and Stormy Liberal. This relatively newer addition to the Breeders’ Cup lineup continues to gain prominence.

Contenders

Records will be listed as Career Starts-1st-2nd-3rd

Caravel (USA)

• Record: 25-15-1-3
• Jockey: T Gaffalione
• Trainer: B Cox
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park

Motorious (USA)

• Record: 15-6-4-2
• Jockey: G Franco
• Trainer: P D’Amato
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 San Simeon at Santa Anita

Gear Jockey (USA)

• Record: 19-5-4-4
• Jockey: J Lezcano
• Trainer: G Arnold
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs

Live In The Dream (United Kingdom)

• Record: 19-6-2-2
• Jockey: S Kirrane
• Trainer: A West
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York

Bradsell (United Kingdom)

• Record: 8-3-0-3
• Jockey: H Doyle
• Trainer: A Watson
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot

Tony Ann (USA)

• Record: 10-5-1-3
• Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: P D’Amato
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes at Keeneland

Nobals (USA)

• Record: 17-9-3-0
• Jockey: G Corrales
• Trainer: L Rivelli
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Troy at Saratoga

Bad Beat Brian (USA)

• Record: 37-8-7-7
• Jockey: C Emigh
• Trainer: B Vanden Berg
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland

Private Creed (USA)

• Record: 11-4-2-2
• Jockey: J Rosario
• Trainer: S Asmussen
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs

Big Invasion (USA)

• Record: 14-8-3-1
• Jockey: D Davis
• Trainer: C Clement
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine

Arzak (USA)

• Record: 23-7-3-1
• Jockey: J Rosario
• Trainer: M Trombetta
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland

Roses For Debra (USA)

• Record: 10-7-1-1
• Jockey: I Ortiz, Jr.
• Trainer: C Clement
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Caress Stakes at Saratoga

Cogburn (USA)

• Record: 12-6-2-0
• Jockey: R Santana, Jr.
• Trainer: S Asmussen
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga

One Timer (USA)

• Record: 12-7-2-1
• Jockey: E Baird
• Trainer: L Rivelli
• Key Race(s): 2nd in the Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs

Noble Reflection (USA)

• Record: 14-4-0-2
• Jockey: M Gutierrez
• Trainer: G Papaprodromou
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita

Hamwood Flier (USA)

• Record: 9-3-2-1
• Jockey: M Smith
• Trainer: P D’Amato
• Key Race(s): 8th in the Swingtime Stakes at Santa Anita

Aesop’s Fables (Ireland)

• Record: 11-2-2-3
• Jockey: R Moore
• Trainer: A P O’Brien
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 1 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp

Beer Can Man (USA)

• Record: 17-7-3-4
• Jockey: F Prat
• Trainer: P D’Amato
• Key Race(s): 3rd in the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland behind Arzak

Meikei Yell (Japan)

• Record: 17-7-0-0
• Jockey: K Ikezoe
• Trainer: H Take
• Key Race(s): 5th in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama

Lane Way (USA)

• Record: 19-5-6-5
• Jockey: M Smith
• Trainer: R Mandella
• Key Race(s): Winner of the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita

Jasper Krone (Japan)

• Record: 15-6-1-2
• Jockey: T Danno
• Trainer: H Mori
• Key Race(s): 4th in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama

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Breeders’ Cup

We will continue to provide extensive coverage of the horse racing world championships in the lead up to the big days. Check back each week for a break down of the various divisions.

The week before the event we will also provide full card analysis and selections for both days.