Stars from across the globe will be in action at Santa Anita this weekend, as the Breeders’ Cup Turf is staged. European trained runners have won the Turf in each of the previous three years, and a high-quality crop will go to post in California this weekend.
Before Betting On Breeders’ Cup Turf
The Breeders’ Cup Turf is one of the most star-studded races on the card at Santa Anita this weekend, with a high-quality field going to post to battle over 1 ½ miles. A purse of $4 million is available to winning connections, and it could be challenging to bet against a European runner coming out on top.
Auguste Rodin heads the betting for the connections of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, as the three-year-old chases a fourth Grade 1 prize this season. He has been kept back for the Breeders’ Cup, and he holds excellent claims based on his dominant success over a mile and two at Leopardstown when winning the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in September.
Mostahdaf will also line up in the Turf for John & Thady Gosden this weekend after bypassing a commitment at Ascot last month. The five-year-old is a well traveled contender, and is the highest rated runner in the field. He was in excellent form when landing the G1 Juddmonte International by a length from Nashwa in August.
King of Steel finally got his first Grade 1 success at Ascot last month, as he landed the Champion Stakes in a dramatic finish to Frankie Dettori’s career in the UK. However, he endured a hard race on soft ground, and that could count against him in California. The same could also be said of the talented Onesto, who finished an excellent third in the G1 Arc on his previous start.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Offshore Odds & Pick
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Auguste Rodin | 3.50 |
| Mostahdaf | 4.00 |
| Up To The Mark | 7.00 |
| King of Steel | 8.00 |
| Onesto | 9.00 |
| War Like Goddess | 13.00 |
| Bolshoi Ballet | 15.00 |
| Shahryar | 15.00 |
This is a high quality renewal of the Turf at Santa Anita, but we will keep faith with Auguste Rodin, who has been pointed toward this race throughout the season. The three-year-old could lead an Aidan O’Brien one-two, with Bolshoi Ballet exceeding expectations on his first start in the U.S. this season on his previous outing.
