CHURCHILL DOWNS
Saturday 4th November
6:12 Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ Brazilian bred Riboletta winner of her last six starts comes into this race a likely warm favourite. Bar Jostle, and Beautiful Pleasure I'm struggling to find one of the home challengers that I'd oppose her with therefore She's the selection. I do think Crimplene has a good chance if reproducing her best European form on the dirt. The reports are encouraging so I'll make her my eachway alternative 
No*1 CHOICE ~ Riboletta (R*ecommended)
(e/w) Alternative ~ Crimplene

6:45 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ I don't know much about these but I think it may pay to go with Cindy's Hero. I doubt they'll be much between these, and I think I'd want to be on a finisher rather than a horse who races up with the pace. Ex English Freefouracing won nicely on her USA debut and could be the eachway alternative 
No*1 CHOICE ~ Cindy's Hero
(e/w) Alternative ~ Freefouracing

7:20 Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ The European challenge is very strong in the mile, and you can see Dansili, Arkadian Hero, Indian Lodge, and Distant Music holding their own with the likes of King Cugat, War Chant, and Ladies Din. Although Distant Music ran well in the Champion Stake, I am inclined to go with Dansili who has run creditably at this distance behind the likes of Sendawar, Kalanisi, and Giants Causeway. I think he may be well suited to the prevalent conditions. Muhtathir isn't a consistent sort, but he too has his 'days', and if they is to be a surprise he is likely to provide it
No*1 CHOICE ~ Dansili
(e/w) Alternative ~ Ladies Din
LongShot (British odds): Muhtathir

7:52 Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ It is disappointing that Europe hasn't had a try at this, saying that technically we are with Japanese sprint champion Agnes World taking his chance. I am told that Kona Gold, Elaborate, and More than Ready are the likeliest winners are the form (as I view it) suggests that Kona Gold's finishing kick may prove decisive ..... that'll do for me. As for Agnes World, (our representative having conquered Europe) he does have form on dirt, so may run creditably. He may be worth an eachway interest 
No*1 CHOICE ~ Kona Gold (R*ecommended)
(e/w) Alternative ~ Agnes World

8:25 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ Despite not having the best of draws Petrushka is one of the few in this field who are suited by the trip, and if she can handle the tight turns better than she did at Epsom, I think she'll be very hard to beat. If this is strongly run I can see a positive effort from Spanish Fern and she'd get my eachway voucher. 
No*1 CHOICE ~ Petruskha
(e/w) Alternative ~ Spanish Fern

8:57 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ Flame Thrower, AP Valentine, Street Cry and Macho Uno look the likeliest winners of the Juvenile. There wont be much between the Flame Thrower and Street Cry, and the strong pace associated with the Juvenile will be suit Godolphin USA's entry Street Cry. I marginally prefer AP Valentine who won a decent event in New York recently, though I suspect there wont be much between these. What of the European challengers Turnberry Isle, and Noverre. There must be a chance that these two may be staying on when others cry enough, and as it may well be worth chancing either of them for a place. Turnberry Isle, is the preferred option
No*1 CHOICE ~ AP Valentine
(e/w) Alternative ~ Turnberry Isle, 

9:30 Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ Europe is strong in the Turf, and surely Kalanisi, Montjeu, Mutamam, Fantastic Light, and Fruits of Love are as good a hand as you'd want in this event. As much as I respect Manndar, and Ciro's claims, I think I'd be looking for an away win. The Montjeu of last season would deservedly be a warm order, but I find his credentials questionable of late. He hasn't defeated a decnet member of the 3 year old crop in Europe, and seems to have too many excuses being made of him of late. Don't get me wrong I hope he wins because he is a decent animal, I question whether he was ever quite as good as some this term. From the evidence of the champion Stakes, if Kalanisi gets the trip, I cant see how he can reverse the form. More importantly he is a horse that needs to be settled early therefore you are not only gambling on him retaining his ability, but also on getting the runs of the race. I'm fairly certain that Kalanisi will be ridden as though he stays, and if he gets the run of the race would be my selection to take the spoils. Mutamam who will probably attempt to make all is always likely to hold a good pitch, and it wouldn't surprise me if he were placed, nor would it Williams News who may be suited by a strong pace 
No*1 CHOICE ~ Kalanisi
(e/w) Alternative ~ Mutamam
Long Shot (British Odds): Williams News 

10:10 Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) 
"The 4 Long Pole" ~ The 'Iron horse' holds our hopes in the last, with all due respect to Pine Dance. It will be fascinating to see how he handles the challenge. The distance is ideal, and interestingly as the pace is guaranteed he is far more likely to be able to mix it with his opponents rather than the early strike for home which he has to do over a mile. I have visions of him Lemon Drop Kid , and Fusaichi Pegasus battling for this up the final stretch ...... who prevails? ..... Lemon Drop Kid
No*1 CHOICE ~ Lemon Drop Kid 
(e/w) Alternative ~ Giant's Causeway

This page was updated - Sunday December 23, 2001 07:20:44 PM