Comments by Steve Anderson DRF Odds by Mike Watchmaker
Flintshire Chad Brown 112-105-110 2-1 Joe Hirsch Turf, BEL, Oct. 1
Has overwhelmed his American competition this year
Postponed Roger Varian NA-NA-NA 3-1 Arc de Triomphe, Chantilly, Oct. 2
Leader of European division, with four brilliant stakes wins this year
Found Aidan O'Brien NA-NA-NA 8-1 Arc de Triomphe, Chantilly, Oct. 2
Won the race in '15, second in five straight Grade 1 races in Europe this year
Highland Reel Aidan O'Brien NA-NA-NA 10-1 Champion Stakes, Ascot, Oct. 15
Only seventh in ultra-tough Irish Champion on Sept. 10
New Bay Andre Fabre NA-NA-NA 12-1 Arc de Triomphe, Chantilly, Oct. 2
Likely for Arc, a focus for most European runners before BC Turf
Da Big Hoss Mike Maker 97-100-100 15-1 BC Turf, SA, Nov. 5
Having his best year, but this will be a very difficult assignment
Hawkbill Charlie Appleby NA-NA-NA 15-1 Champion Stakes, Ascot, Oct. 15
Form has tailed off since win in Group 1 Eclipse Stakes in England in July
Money Multiplier Chad Brown 109-100-103 15-1 Joe Hirsch Turf, BEL, Oct. 1
Improving 4-year-old who was second to Flintshire in Sword Dancer
Ashleyluvssugar Peter Eurton 102-103-102 20-1 John Henry Turf, SA, Oct. 2
Best of California group, but has much more to find - and fast
The Pizza Man Roger Brueggemann 101-98-96 20-1 BC Turf, SA, Nov. 5
Popular 7-year-old was brilliant in Grade 1 Northern Dancer last Saturday
AE: Grand Tito, Metaboss, Ralis, Twentytwentyvision
Does likely favorite FLINTSHIRE have a chink in his armor now?
Javier on Flintshire: "Usually when you ask him he's got great acceleration and he didn't, he struggled the last part with the soft ground."
Chad on Flintshire: I knew the risks going in; his record's poor on soft ground I didn't feel entirely comfortable training him up to [BC]"
Flintshire's better on firm; he should bounce back I would think. Whether that means he wins is a question
Found is at least possible to run back in the Turf this year and is targeting the Champion S next:
http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=20511724&category=0 (http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=20511724&category=0)
Other than the soft ground it seems Euro's always have a stronger finishing kick
than NA horses. He'll be tough to take at such a short price
Postponed, the beaten favorite in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly Racecourse in France, is doubtful to start in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, trainer Roger Varian said on Tuesday.
1 Ralis Doug F. O'Neill Mario Gutierrez 30-1
2 Da Big Hoss Michael J. Maker Florent Geroux 20-1
3 Ectot Todd A. Pletcher Jose Ortiz 8-1
4 Flintshire Chad C. Brown Javier Castellano 5-1
5 Ashleyluvssugar Peter A. Eurton Gary Stevens 15-1
6 Mondialiste David O'Meara Daniel Tudhope 15-1
7 Ulysses Sir Michael R. Stoute Frankie Dettori 12-1
8 Twilight Eclipse Thomas Albertrani Joel Rosario 30-1
9 Money Multiplier Chad C. Brown John Velazquez 20-1
10 Found Aidan P. O'Brien Ryan Moore 3-1
11 Texas Ryano Carla Gaines Flavien Prat 30-1
12 Highland Reel Aidan P. O'Brien Seamus Heffernan 3-1
13 Metaboss Philip D'Amato Rafael Bejarano 30-1
Hmmm? FWIW
Mike Welsch @DRFWelsch 18m18 minutes ago
Metaboss just pulled up suddenly near the quarter pole while galloping on turf and horse ambulance is on the track.
Post an update please, if there is one... someone on the other board said they were concerned it's a condylar fracture.
retired. sesamoid fracture...
For the win this is between Flintshire, Found and Highland Reel. Any other outright winner would be a bit of a surprise imo. The value horses for me are Ashlyluvssugar and Money Multiplier (who also gets back to his preferred firm ground). Of the top 3 if I had to take a stand on one it would be Found. She won this last year though under different conditions and, although she won the Arc over a firm course, I think she is better suited to ground with at least a little cut in it. I might just key Flintshire over a few price horses here