BetUK Breeders' Cup Preview – November 3rd & 4th

The Breeders' Cup is America's jewel in the racing crown and this weekend sees two days of stunning quality flat racing come from Santa Anita Park in California.

Billed officially as the Breeders' Cup World Championships, there are 14 official Breeders' Cup races over Friday and Saturday, culminating in the Breeders' Cup Classic itself.

Below, we've picked out some of our best bets to monitor closely as the action unfolds at Santa Anita. All post times are UK (GMT).

Friday November 3rd

21:00 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5f)

Friday is all about the star juveniles and the Europeans will fancy their chances in plenty of the turf races, including this five-furlong sprint. Big Evs has enjoyed a stellar campaign in Britain and comes with a big chance, although his two best efforts were on soft going which there is no chance of in California. Cherry Blossom is interesting down to 5f for Aidan O'Brien but so, too, is Jessica Harrington's GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS. At Royal Ascot in June and again last month in Newmarket's Middle Park – both over 6f – he wilted very late on. 5f may prove to be his optimum trip and he has the speed for this test under Shane Foley.

Selection: Givemethebeatboys @ 12/1

21:40 - NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (1½f)

The first of the dirt races and it's very hard to look beyond the claims of TAMARA after her hugely impressive win in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes last month. She got a bump leaving the gates there but didn't flinch and, having sat second until halfway, cruised home to win leaving her rivals flailing. This is tougher but she looks very smart.

Selection: Tamara @ 10/11

22:20 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (1m)

Unbeaten US duo She Feels Pretty (Cherie Devaux) and Hard To Justify (Chad Brown) give the home team a big chance here, but European hope CARLA'S WAY may prove to be too good. Simon & Ed Crisford's daughter of Starspangledbanner is getting better with every run and won the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in clear-cut, impressive fashion. The pair that chased her home have since finished first and second in the Fillies' Mile back at headquarters, ensuring it is a strong form line.

Selection: Carla's Way @ 7/2

Saturday November 4th

19:10 - Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1m2f)

Chad Brown's In Italian will lead home hopes in the Filly & Mare Turf but the five-year-old faces a strong raiding party. Warm Heart was a Royal Ascot winner in June and has added the Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille on her two most recent starts. Aidan O'Brien's challenger is respected, but Frankie Dettori has enjoyed a sparkling year so far and the veteran jockey can score on INSPIRAL for John & Thady Gosden. The Frankel filly is a high-class miler but connections have opted for this extra two-furlongs in the hopes that she won't be reliant on luck in the run. They must be confident in her stamina, so she is of real interest on this step up in trip.

Selection: Inspiral @ 5/2

21:10 - Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (1m1f)

ADARE MANOR is on quite the roll this season for Bob Baffert and the Uncle Mo filly justified favouritism in the Zenyatta Stakes here at the start of October, as an SP of 1/5f suggested she would. It was her earlier win at Del Mar in August in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes that made more of an impression, however. She was not allowed an easy time early and had to reverse previous form with runner-up Desert Dawn when challenged late. That Grade 1 win bodes well. Brad Cox's Idiomatic is a big danger to all.

Selection: Adare Manor @ 3/1

21:50 - Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (1m4f)

An absolute belter on paper and, from a European standpoint, probably the race of the meeting. English/Irish Derby hero Auguste Rodin is the market leader for Aidan O'Brien having won the Irish Champion Stakes last time out, while Juddmonte International winner Mostahdaf goes for the Gosdens and Ascot Champion Stakes winner King Of Steel will feature again after just a fortnight. ONESTO got back to something akin to his best when third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last month and, with a nice five-week break from that until now, Fabrice Chappet's charge could land this sizzler for France with conditions to suit.

Selection: Onesto @ 7/1

22:40 - Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (1m4f)

With ante-post favourite Arcangelo scratched, the market is headed by Arabian Knight for Bob Baffert. He debuted in sparkling fashion at this meeting last November and his trainer skipped the Triple Crown races this year with this long-term target in mind. He was a gutsy winner of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in September and has strong credentials for the four-time Classic-winning handler. Though no 6-year-old has ever won this race, Japanese contender USHBA TESORO is something a little bit different. Nothing special on turf, he's become a revelation on dirt and swept from last-to-first when winning the Dubai World Cup in March. Japan's recent Breeders' Cup record is strong and trainer Noboru Tagaki could be set to add the Classic to their haul.

Selection: Ushba Tesoro @ 9/2