BetMGMBetMGM

Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Breeders’ Cup Tips

FRIDAY RACING TIPS

Del Mar 9.45 – Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

I quite like Big Mojo (4/1), a sharp five furlongs is perfect.

He and Aesterius (5/1) have met a couple of times and Big Mojo beat him at Goodwood and the form was then reversed at Doncaster – he was a bit awkward under pressure but went left-handed.

He gets the left-handed track at Del Mar, and the sharper five furlongs are better for him. I think he’s the one to beat.

He is drawn next to Aesterius – they were pretty much upsides the whole way at Doncaster, never really leaving each other alone. They were together from start to finish.

It could be a similar scenario here but I’m just going with Big Mojo because of the sharper distance, which will be a bit better for him.

Megan’s Tip: Big Mojo WIN

Del Mar 11.05 – Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Lake Victoria (5/6 fav) is a seriously short price.

She’s unbeaten and has been impressive in all her starts, improving with each one. Dropping back to the six furlongs last time on soft ground was no bother for her.

Prior to that, she was running over seven furlongs and I think she’s got it all. She has enough pace that she is able to drop back to the six but she stays well enough that she’s won over a stiff seven too.

The sharp mile is no problem for me whatsoever. She is in stall one and won’t be any problem for Ryan Moore, who won’t look to complicate things at all.

I think she’s one of the leading two-year-old fillies in Europe and she will take plenty of beating.

Her stablemate, Heavens Gate (15/2) could just run well and if you’re looking for the places, it might be her. She’s very consistent but just lacks a little bit at the higher grades when taking on real top-quality horses.

Megan’s Tip: Lake Victoria WIN

Del Mar 12.25 (Sat 2nd Nov)– Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

I think it’s interesting that William Buick has gone for Aomori City (5/1) over Al Qudra (5/1).

I like the chances of Al Qudra. He’s bumped into New Century (7/2 fav) twice – they’re 1-1 effectively.

I just thought Al Qudra was a little bit unlucky at Woodbine when beaten by New Century. He’s well drawn in stall four and I think James Doyle is on the right one here.

The draw could be key and we know he acts on quick ground, so he can reverse that form with New Century.

It will be interesting to see them meet again.

Megan’s Tip: Al Qudra WIN

SATURDAY RACING TIPS

Del Mar 7.41 – Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

I think Cogburn (6/4 fav) is the one they have got to beat.

He’s drawn in nine – around the middle of the pack – but my word he’s got some boot. He made Khaadem look fairly slow in Kentucky last time out and we know that isn’t the case.

This is a pretty talented horse who is continuing to improve this year as a five-year-old.

In behind, I think Believing (15/2) will run well again. She’s drawn in stall one and with Bradsell (3/1) drawn in 12, it will be interesting to see how he jumps and gets away.

But Believing doesn’t often let you down. Being back on better ground will suit and she can definitely run into a place.

Big Evs (17/2) is obviously a winner at the Breeders’ Cup last year – albeit that was in Santa Anita. He was well drawn that day and he’s got to overcome a pretty wide draw this time, drawn on the inside of Bradsell in stall 11, to try and get a prominent position.

He was a bit disappointing in the Nunthorpe last time out at York, but that was too bad to be true and he might well be able to bounce back.

But Cogburn is the safe bet. He’s a pretty smart sprinter. Believing can run into a place and I wouldn’t be against having an each-way try on Big Evs at the price.

Megan’s Tip: Cogburn WIN; Believing EW; Big Evs EW

Del Mar 9.01 – Breeders' Cup Turf

It would be silly to ignore Rebel’s Romance (5/2 fav).

He goes extremely well around the bends, he was back to winning ways in Germany last time in what was a nice prep for an international winter. He’s been a phenomenal horse – winning everywhere on every ground. He’s just an international star, to be honest.

Obviously with a massive international campaign behind him, and the fact he’s already a Breeders’ Cup winner (in Keeneland two years ago), he’s the one they will all have to beat.

The one who could put it up to him most is Jayarebe (9/2).

Sean Levey is really bullish about this horse. He’s still unexposed in comparison to plenty, with only the seven starts. He’s a winner of four of those – he’s pretty phenomenal. He was very tough in the Prix Dollar last time.

Sharp out the gates, he will be able to get a good position, I’m sure, and he’s well drawn. He’s the biggest danger to Rebel’s Romance.

Megan’s Tip: Rebel’s Romance WIN

Del Mar 9.41 – Breeders' Cup Classic

What a headache!

I think I’m going to go for a proven horse here in Forever Young (9/2), who was really awkward out the gates when he was beaten in the Kentucky Derby. Normally he’s pretty sharp out but he got it all wrong then.

How he managed to get up to only be beaten by a short head is beyond me. That was a very good run.

His prep race back in Japan in the Dirt Classic was absolutely ideal. He won that nicely and he obviously comes here in top form. He was also impressive in the UAE Derby last year.

He’s a horse with a lot of ability, goes well on the dirt and I think he could be a big danger.

I really hope City Of Troy (13/8 fav) takes to the dirt but it’s hard to back him until we know.

Megan’s Tip: Forever Young WIN

Del Mar 10.25 – Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Cinderella’s Dream (9/4 fav) has been over in America throughout the summer and has had a successful campaign.

She’s well-adapted and suited to the American style of racing. She does take a step up in trip but, based on what we saw at Saratoga last time, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Obviously, Content (7/2) has a ridiculous amount of ability and won the Yorkshire Oaks back in the summer. Disappointing the last two times – however both were on slower ground.

She will be better and well-suited to a strong pace at Del Mar. Returning to the better ground makes her much more attractive. If she settles, she’s a good filly. I’m going to go with Content here.

Each way, I’m backing Soprano (17/2), who will be ridden with patience. She will likely finish well, as she did last time at Keeneland.

That was a nice prep for this race. It is a step up in trip but that shouldn’t be a problem.

Megan’s Tip: Content WIN; Soprano EW

Del Mar 11.45 – Breeders' Cup Mile

What a race – probably my favourite race of the Breeders’ Cup this year!

We have our 2000 Guineas winner in Notable Speech (11/4 fav) and our 1000 Guineas runner-up Porta Fortuna (10/3) who has since had a phenomenal rest of the season.

This is so competitive. Notable Speech, on a going day, is phenomenal. The quick ground is essential to him. He’s such a good mover and has an amazing turn of foot, which was totally taken away from him in the Prix du Moulin last time.

He just didn’t act on the ground. It’s as simple as that. He has to bounce back but I think he can.

I can’t explain how torn I am between Notable Speech and Porta Fortuna.

The latter is such a tough filly. Quick ground is perfect. She was just touched off in the Juvenile Turf last year. Her flat form has been boosted pretty much everywhere and she puts up a huge challenge to Notable Speech.

Because it’s such a tough choice, I am going to put up a reverse forecast with both of them.

This is the ace of the evening.

Megan’s Tip: Notable Speech/Porta Fortuna Reverse Forecast

Browse all our horse racing markets here

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

We're sorry!

Unfortunately, BetMGM isn't available in your country.