Charlie Appleby bullish about Modern Games - and rightly so

Saturday: 12.30am Del Mar
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) | 1m | 2yo colts and geldings | ITV4/RTV/Sky

There have been eight European winners of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in just 14 runnings and another looks likely, with no US-based runner priced in single figures.

Aidan O'Brien has been responsible for half of those European successes and Glounthaune is the only two-year-old he put on the plane this year, but the Kodiac colt looks to face a stiff task on the evidence of his Dewhurst effort.

While Glounthaune had excuses that day – it was his first start since April – and has since won well at Leopardstown, it's hard to see his finding the four and three-quarters lengths he finished behind Dubawi Legend, who was four places in front of him at Newmarket.

The Dewhurst has thrown up three winners of this race in the last decade, all of whom were placed at Newmarket, and Dubawi Legend, who was second in that Group 1, brings the strongest form to the table.

The big negative is a wide draw. In the 2017 race at Del Mar, the first six home were drawn one, two, eight, four, five and six, and the recent summer meeting at the track confirmed the impression a wide draw is hard to overcome on turf. Dubawi Legend will therefore probably need a career best to win from stall 14.

The 2016, 2019 and 2020 winners arrived off the back of a Pilgrim Stakes victory. This year that race went to Annapolis, but he is missing with a hind ankle chip. Runner-up Portfolio Company represents the form, but he is also drawn wide in ten and has an uphill battle.

Charlie Appleby is the man who got lucky with the draw, with his two representatives, Modern Games and Albahr, breaking from gates one and two.

Albahr has experience of racing in North America, winning the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine in September, which should stand him in good stead, but William Buick has chosen Modern Games. The market agrees with Buick and so do I.

A striking winner of the Tattersalls Stakes after a Doncaster nursery success, Modern Games is described as a "neat, little horse" by his trainer and should be ideal for these tight bends. While front-runners are not favoured here on turf, a handy position early can reap dividends for the Godolphin colt and help Appleby to land a third Juvenile Turf.
Race analysis by Matt Newman

Appleby talks up exciting pair

Charlie Appleby has an outstanding record in this race and has talked up Modern Games and Albahr, who give him a strong hand in pursuit of a third win from only four runners.

Appleby's selective approach has seen him send just four runners to the Breeders' Cup juvenile races, resulting in wins in this race for Outstrip (2013) and Line Of Duty (2018). He also sent over Masar in 2017, only for the subsequent Derby winner to disappoint.

Modern Games heads the betting for Appleby and William Buick, with the trainer bullish about his Tattersalls Stakes winner.

He said: "I feel he takes enough experience into the race, but he's got a bit of class about him as well. He can travel very well, so he won't lack the pace to go round Del Mar. I'm always a big believer in that you've got to be able to travel around there."

Appleby is also looking forward to running Albahr, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.

"Conditions will suit him," he said. "He's been to Canada, so he ticks a few boxes in that he's travelled and done track training.

"Some people don't realise jumping from the gates and having the bell ring just helps them get used to it. He might not be the best horse in the race, but he's one of those horses with experience. If it gets a bit rough around those turns, he'll be able to handle himself."

Albahr, pictured here winning at Haydock during the summer, arrives at Del Mar after winning a Canadian Grade 1Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Glounthaune
He hasn't a lot of experience and he got caught up in the middle of a slowly run Dewhurst, and when they started quickening he was very green. We backed him up very quick at Leopardstown because he came out of it so well, and he won nicely. We think a mile around here will suit him.

James Doyle, rider of Dubawi Legend
Dubawi Legend is a very good horse I'm looking forward to riding him. He has a very bad draw out in 14, so we'll need everything to go right in the race. We'll need some luck in running but I think he can still go well.

Michael Bell, trainer of Great Max
He seems to have travelled very well and taken everything better than expected. We're putting a visor on him. He's worked once in a visor at home and worked very well. If that improves him, he could be involved.

Christophe Lorieul, assistant to Christophe Clement, trainer of Slipstream
He's a very nicely made colt. He's progressing tremendously. Stretching him to a mile this time will be a little bit of a test, but why not? If there's a place to do it, it's here. He's got tactical speed, which is always a plus.
Reporting by Richard Forristal at Del Mar

Read more on day one of the Breeders' Cup

9.50 Del Mar: 'I chose the wrong race in England' - Wesley Ward's warning to Euro hopefuls

10.30 Del Mar: 'She's in excellent shape' - unbeaten Echo Zulu out to justify hot favouritism

11.10 Del Mar: Strong European contingent hold solid claims in open-looking contest

11.50 Del Mar: Can Bob Baffert join D Wayne Lukas among the Breeders' Cup Juvenile kings?

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