Onward to the Breeders’ Cup Mile! Here we have 11 horses running, not ironically, one mile over the turf at Santa Anita. Morning line favoritism has been attached to the impressive Euro filly Goldikova who will be gunning for 4 consecutive victories dating back to July 6th of this year.
Goldikova is quite an impressive filly to say the least. When not on one of her winning streaks, she’s been close to the sensational Zarkava (winner of the Arc de Triomphe). Note that she’s also finished ahead of the filly Halfway to Heaven, who has received some serious consideration in reader comments about the Filly & Mare Turf.
Apart from Goldikova, we’ve got arguably the best turf miler in the U.S. in Kip Deville. Kip didn’t fair too well over the yielding turf at Woodbine last time out, but he now represents trainer Rick Dutrow’s only shot at Breeders’ Cup glory after the untimely injury to the super-colt Big Brown.
You guys know I’m not a Dutrow guy, but I’ve got a feeling that Dutrow’s going to go all out and have the Kipster ready to run back to his regular form. Maybe he just didn’t like the trip up north to Canada? Perhaps he’s not a hockey fan? Whatever the case was, I think he’ll enjoy a return to Santa Anita where he’s performed well before.
Don’t get me wrong - I think the world of Goldikova and actually selected her a few moments ago in a little contest members of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance are putting together, but my gut is now siding with Kip Deville.
Even with all the focus on Kip Deville and Goldikova, there are a couple other horses in here who could surprise. I’d put Precious Kitten at the top of that short list. Once again we’ve got the scenario of a girl going against the guys (same as Goldikova), and I know that’s not vogue here in the States, but elsewhere around the globe the ladies do defeat the guys with relative regularity. Her form may appear to have a bit of “good race/bad race” feel to it - but those 5th place finishes like in the Beverly D were still GOOD efforts. I have a feeling she’ll make her presence known here in the mile.
Shakis is a horse I have to mention…those that read here regularly know my love/hate relationship with him. There’s the infamous photo of me in the yellow hat staring him down after he burned my pick 6 ticket on Preakness day in the Dixie. I don’t think I’ve ever forgiven him for that - and I’m not about to on Saturday either! If he couldn’t get past Pays to Dream that day, what chance has he against the likes of Kip Deville and Goldikova?
Of course, there’s one serious contender here I’ve yet to mention in a serious fashion - the outisde horse What’sthescript from trainer John Sadler. It’s hard not to like those last three efforts and there’s no question he likes the footing here at Santa Anita. Couple that with the obvious improvement the son of Royal Applause has demonstrated in his 2008 campaign and it’s easy to see why he’s 4-1 in such a tough field.
There’s a bunch of directions to go in this one. I’m ultimately siding with Kip Deville at 5/1, but you wouldn’t here me argue with anyone taking Goldikova, Precious Kitten, or What’sthescript. Heck, Thorn Song might even be able to get up under Robby Albarado. The turf madness seems set to continue!
Dutrow also has Salute the Count in the Turf Sprint…