Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s got a 10/1 fancy in his Friday Breeders’ Cup bets

Matt's slapped on the sun cream and packed his bags for sunny California where he fancies Cherry Blossom to place in the opener.

By / Horse Racing Tips / 8 months ago

Matt Chapman’s Friday Breeders’ Cup Betting Tips:

21.00 – Cherry Blossom (each-way)
21.40 – Candied
22.20 – Les Pavots (each-way)
23.00 – Locked
23.40 – River Tiber

Santa Anita – 21.00 – CHERRY BLOSSOM (each-way)

Breeders’ Cup 2023 kicks off here with the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint over 5f. Big Evs has every chance on European form from a good draw and Crimson Advocate was a fine winner of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and beat a good one there in Relief Rally.

The each-way bet here for me is Aidan O’Brien’s CHERRY BLOSSOM who is long odds under Ryan Moore. She has already raced up to 7f so won’t be involved in the early pace, but her stamina might be a useful weapon late on and her fourth behind Porta Fortuna in the Cheveley Park is pretty useful form as was her second to Relief Rally in the Lowther. If this is her trip she might surprise a few.

Santa Anita – 21.40 – CANDIED

Now the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on dirt over an extended 1m. Most expect Tamara to win this with ease and she may well. However, she’s not proven at the distance and CANDIED is, so I’m tempted to go with the Todd Pletcher runner under Luis Saez and on the inside from the draw.

My selection impressed in a Grade 1 at Keeneland last time and saw this distance out really strongly.

Santa Anita – 22.20 – LES PAVOTS (each-way)

Next up is the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ on turf. Rockfel winner Carla’s Way is strongly fancied by the Crisfords and she will stay well, while Porta Fortuna is a worry at the distance.

I’m going to risk the proven stayer and French raider LES PAVOTS for all her draw is terrible and the ground might be too fast! The Graffard runner is an interesting contender and was a fine third behind talented Opera Singer in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last month.

She has more stamina than most in this field and will finish strongly as I’m guessing she will be dropped in. An each-way player though for sure.

Santa Anita – 23.00 – LOCKED

Here we have the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt. This is wide open. LOCKED has looked good at the trip and might be the one to beat for Todd Pletcher and Jose Ortiz.

The draw in stall 6 is all right and the son of Gun Runner has loved the step up to this trip from a debut at 6f scoring at Saratoga and then in a Grade 1 at Keeneland where he led close home and got home very strongly. Should be in the mix.

Santa Anita – 23.40 – RIVER TIBER

The final Breeders’ Cup race on Friday is the Grade 1 Juvenile Turf over 1m. Unquestionable has the stamina but I have a feeling Ballydoyle really fancy RIVER TIBER who goes of course for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

He has never raced beyond 6f but brings in European class on turf from a good draw. Has been in Group 1 company for his last two runs, including when third behind Vandeek in the Morny at Deauville and when finishing in the same position to his old rival in the Middle Park. The son of Wootton Bassett kept on well that day suggesting he might easily get a mile here. I think he has a huge chance.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

Matt Chapman’s Breeders’ Cup Betting Tips

21.00 – Cherry Blossom (each-way)
21.40 – Candied
22.20 – Les Pavots (each-way)
23.00 – Locked
23.40 – River Tiber

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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