'He's learning with every run' - why this horse can win at the Breeders' Cup this weekend

A selection of our top tipsters have provided their selection for the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar on Saturday . . .

Big Mojo

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (9.45, Friday)

Britain can strike an early blow on day one of the Breeders’ Cup with Big Mojo.

Mick Appleby, who won this race last year with his stable star Big Evs, has a promising contender in this son of Mohaather, who boasts a similar profile and appears tailor-made for the event. Big Mojo took a significant step forward from his debut when winning the Molecomb at Goodwood, when he broke the track record for juveniles.

That victory came on good to firm ground, so the fast conditions forecast for Del Mar should pose no issue for him. He then stepped up to 6f at York for the Gimcrack, when he travelled powerfully and looked the likely winner two furlongs out, but the extra distance seemed to stretch him.

On his latest start in the Flying Childers at Doncaster, he showcased blistering speed over 5f, which will be crucial in the US. Despite showing signs of greenness when asked for his effort, he stayed on well to the line. This year, the home contingent appears a bit light, especially with Wesley Ward – who has won this race three times in the last five runnings – having no runners.

Ecoro Sieg looks an intriguing runner for Japan and could be anything, but Aesteruis from Wathnan Racing seems to be Big Mojo’s main rival. It’s currently 1-1 between the two, but Big Mojo looks to be learning with every run and is favoured to reverse the form and complete back-to-back wins for Appleby.
Jason Leahy

Big Mojo21:45 Del Mar

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: Michael Appleby

Ways And Means

PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (7.00, Saturday)

The Europeans seem poised for another memorable Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup, but the US look likely to secure an early victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint with Ways And Means as trainer Chad Brown aims for a third consecutive win in the race.

This daughter of Practical Joke impressed on her debut, dominating her rivals to win by 13 lengths at Saratoga. It was no surprise to see her in a Grade 1 next, but she narrowly missed out after clipping heels and stumbling at the start, finishing just half a length behind the winner.

In her first start as a three-year-old she stepped up to a mile but was just edged out in the Gulfstream Oaks. She travelled well before not seeing out the trip in the Kentucky Oaks next time, still finishing a creditable fourth behind Distaff favourite Thorpedo Anna. Brown then dropped her significantly in class for her fifth start in a bid to regain some confidence, and this strategy fully paid off as she won convincingly.

Returned to 7f for the Grade 1 Test Stakes, she won comfortably, demonstrating her potential even though she didn’t exert herself much once hitting the front. Most recently, she showcased her wellbeing as she dominated again with another decisive win over 6f in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Stakes, winning by more than four lengths. Favourites have won three of the last four runnings, and with Ways And Means already showcasing ability, she should prove too good for her elders.
Jason Leahy

Ways And Means19:00 Del Mar

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Jky: Flavien Prat Tnr: Chad C Brown

Star Of Mystery

Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (7.41, Saturday)

Charlie Appleby's runners are worth keeping close tabs on across the two days and Star Of Mystery looks overpriced for the Godolphin trainer in the Turf Sprint on Saturday.

The three-year-old filly showed some smart form in Meydan at the start of the year, culminating in a second in the Al Quoz Sprint.

She didn't get the clearest of runs when a staying-on third behind Turf Sprint favourite Cogburn at Saratoga in June and won easily at the same track next time.

Her most recent second at Keeneland, when she stayed on strongly from an impossible position, will have put her spot on for this and it would be no surprise to see her pick up the pieces late on.
Jack Haynes

Star Of Mystery19:41 Del Mar

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Jayarebe

Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (9.01, Saturday)

European three-year-olds have won two of the last three runnings of the Breeders' Cup Turf and that trend looks set to continue on Saturday courtesy of the Brian Meehan-trained Jayarebe.

The son of Zoffany took a hot running of the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this year and has been seen just twice since, chasing home Economics in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville before grinding out a front-running success in the Group 2 Prix Dollar.

His Prix Dollar success came on soft ground but a sound surface will suit Jayarebe better and his stable knows what it takes to land this prize, having sent out Red Rocks to score in 2006 and Dangerous Midge in 2010.
Joseph Eccles

Jayarebe

Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (9.01, Saturday)

Rebel's Romance will be hard to beat as he bids to win it again, but the rapidly progressive Jayarebe looks a really backable price to give Brian Meehan more Breeders' Cup Turf glory.

The three-year-old has continued his upward curve all year and hasn't finished out of the first three. He landed the Feilden Stakes back in April before landing the Hampton Court Stakes and Prix Dollar.

The form of that last win has been significantly boosted with Anmaat going on to win the Champion Stakes and the fast conditions will suit him to a tee, given his Royal Ascot success came on good to firm.

I wouldn't expect the American style 1m4f trip to be an issue either and Meehan is something of a Turf specialist.
Matt Rennie

Jayarebe21:01 Del Mar

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Jky: Sean Levey Tnr: Brian Meehan

Aesterius

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (9.45, Friday)

The Europeans have an excellent recent record in Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (9.45) and I like the chances of Aesterius – the choice of Wathnan Racing's retained rider James Doyle – who was last seen beating the reopposing Big Mojo in the Flying Childers Stakes.

He has a lot in his favour given he is drawn low, has a front-running style and generally breaks quickly.
Jonathan Harding