Another veritable feast of equine action is lined up for us today on Sky Sports Racing. We have nine – count ‘em 9 – excellent races to try to unravel, leading us over here into the early hours of Sunday morning. I can guarantee we will see some breathtaking racing, with enough talking points to keep us discussing them well into the new year.
Hopefully, the analysis below will guide you to some profitable play but, whichever way you make your picks, good luck everyone!
Breeders’ Cup Races at Del Mar on Saturday 1st November 2025
Del Mar Race 4 (7.00pm)
PNC Bank BC Filly and Mare Sprint – Fillies and Mares – 3 year olds and upwards – Seven furlongs - Dirt
With Kopion taking on the boys on the Sprint, this division has opened up a little, but only a little, with Sweet Azteca (6) well backed into favourite. She beat Kopion, who went off at 1-5, in Great Lady M Stakes G2 at Los Alamitos in early July, going six and a half furlongs. Sweet Azteca (6) led all the way there on her way to a 1½ lengths victory. Just over seven weeks after that, she won a G3 here, over the same trip, taking that one by 3½ lengths, her seventh win in nine starts in total. However, some of those were not the toughest of tasks and she is facing her strongest opposition in depth here.
Tamara (4) certainly adds interest to this contest. Two years ago, she went off as the joint shortest priced favourite at 4-5 across the two days, together with Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile. Although he won his race by a nose, Tamara (4) got buried in the Juvenile Filles the day before. She came back for just one run last year, in an Allowance Optional Claimer in the middle of November, where she was on the end of another nose reversal, when sent to post at 2-5. And that was her price on her return run this year, which came in a G3, going six and a half furlongs at Santa Anita four weeks ago. Facing four rivals she won that cosily by 3¾ lengths. She earned a decent speed figure for the run and, if she can build on it, could go close but, a ‘bounce’ is a possibility after such a strong effort from a long lay off.
Hope Road (8), trained by Bob Baffert, was runner up to Kopion in her first two races this year. First in the Santa Monica C2 at Santa Anita in February, then the Derby City Distaff G1 at Churchill Downs three months later, both over this trip. Later in May, cut back to six furlongs, she could not justify going off at a shade of odds on, when 3rd in a G3, beaten 4¼ lengths. Then, after close to three months off, she returned in the Ballerina G1, back up to seven panels at Saratoga, where she won at just over 2-1. She has been on the bench for another ten weeks since but fired a very strong bullet work eight days ago in preparation for this.
Baffert also runs RICHI (9). She was 3rd to Kopion and Hope Road (8) in February, finishing 1¼ lengths behind the latter in 3rd. She was put up in trip after that and, following an excellent ¾ of a length 2nd in the Beholder Mile G1 in March, won the Santa Maria G2 over 110 yards further in the middle of April, 4½ lengths in front of another barn mate Splendora (2). She then finished 3rd in the Clement Hirsch G1, here at the beginning of August, then 2nd in the Zenyatta G1 back at Santa Anita. Like last year’s winner, she is cutting back in trip here and I think she has a chance to win this.
Mentioning last year’s winner, reminds me that her trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. brings Haulin Ice (7) to contest this, after winning the same prep race as Soul of an Angel used on her way to success. She has won five of her seven races this year, including a fine score in the Vagrancy G2, going six and a half furlongs.
Selection: Richi (9)
Del Mar Race 5 (7.41pm)
Prevagen BC Turf Sprint – 3 year olds and upwards – 5 Furlongs - Turf
Last year, this went to Starlust, who got up late to take it by a neck from MOTORIOUS (1). That was the fifth time that runner up had raced over this course and distance, and the first that he had tasted defeat. He was followed home by Ag Bullet (8), who was just a nose back in 3rd. Motorious (1) closed out 2024, by winning the Joe Hernandez Stakes G2, three days before the turn of the year. That was over six and a half furlongs at Santa Anita and that was course and distance for his return to action this year. That was in a G3 in the middle of June which he took by 1¼ lengths. Off until the end of August, he came back to finish a nose 2nd to Reef Runner (2), only to be promoted to first by the Stewards. That was the race he used as a final prep last year, before his excellent effort in the Sprint G1, and a similarly strong run this year would be no surprise, breaking from the same post position today.
Ag Bullet (8) had one more tun in 2024, finishing a length 3rd in the Matriarch G1 going a mile in early December. She was unlucky in her return to action this year, when steadied late in a G3 at Churchill Downs at the beginning of May. However, she has won both her starts wince, the Jaipur G1 against the boys at Saratoga, and then in the Ladies Turf Sprint G2 at Kentucky Downs at the end of August. Another big run will come as no surprise.
The challenge from this side of the Atlantic is headed by Arizona Blaze (3), who returns to Del Mar after finishing second in the Juvenile Turf Sprint G1 last year. He has trained on this year and, after an excellent neck 2nd in the Commonwealth Cup, won the Sapphire Stakes G2, when cut back to five furlongs, and taking on his elders for the first time. Things did not go his way when a tepid favourite in the Nunthorpe G1 at York, but he bounced back in style, winning the Flying Five G1 at the Curragh in the middle of September, with stable mate Bucanero Fuerte (1) 1 length and a head back in 3rd. Both can be given a chance, with the former’s experience of and track configuration a plus.
Dear old Khaadem (4) deserves a mention on the back of his excellent victory in the Woodford G2 at Keeneland last time, when he got home to win by a neck after a tardy start. He will need to be sharper away here to get involved.
Shisospicy (10) finished well behind Arizona Blaze at Royal Ascot but, after ducking out at the start, was ridden to led to lead her group, before fading in the last of the five furlongs. She came back at the beginning of September to win going six and a half furlongs at Kentucky Downs and could be player today.
In a very tight one, Motorious (1) may be able to go one better than last year.
Selection: Motorious (1)
Del Mar Race 6 (8.21pm)
Cygames BC Sprint – 3 year olds and upwards – 6 Furlongs - Dirt
Kopion (1), winner of all her four starts over seven furlongs, would have had an excellent chance of beating other fillies and mares in their sprint over that trip. However, the dice have been rolled and she is cutting back in trip to take on the lads here. Add in a poor draw and I think she is up against it, taking on a tough looking group of gnarled old sprinters.
In last year’s running of this, Bentornato(10) raced ½ a length behind the pacemaker as he scorched through the first quarter of a mile in 21.74 second. Straight No Chaser (12) was the same margin behind him in 3rd. He fought to take the lead early in the stretch but John Velazquez on Straight No Chaser (12) took dead aim and took over close to the wire for a ½ length success. Bentornato (10) was a comfortable winner of his only race since then, a valuable Listed contest at Churchill Downs in the middle of September.
Meanwhile, Straight No Chaser (12) went on to win the Riyadh Dirt Sprint G2, before disappointing in the Golden Shaheen G1 at Meydan. He returned to action in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship at the end of September, where he looked like winning as the 7-10 favourite, before faltering late when passed by Imagination (7) and Dr. Venkman (6), beaten 1¾ lengths and a ½. He had been a comfortable winner of that last year on his way to this and it remains to be seen if he can get back to that level of form here.
MULLIKIN (11) was a closing 3rd in this in 2024, 2½ length behind Bentornato (10). He was the tepid favourite at the off for that but was well back in the pack early after climbing (lifting is front legs abnormally high) along the back straight. He eventually found a seam to run through but it was too late to get to the first two. This year he has run into Book’em Danno, the best sprinter in the east, in his last three races. He finished 2nd to him in the first two, both at Saratoga, the True North G3 and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt G2, with Nakatomi behind him in 3rd in the second of them. However, he ran no sort of a race in the Forego G1, going seven furlongs there in August. He has been off since then but that was the pattern last year too. If he can take to the track this year and run with a more efficient gait, I could see him challenging the top two here. That would also emphasise what a pity it is that Book’em Danno is not here.
I wouldn’t count Nakatomi (8), 3rd in this in 2023, out of it, after his victory in the Phoenix G2 at Keeneland early in October.
Selection: Mullikin (11)
Del Mar Race 7 (9.01pm)
Longines BC Distaff – Fillies and Mares – 3 year olds and upwards – One mile and a furlong - Dirt
Seismic Beauty (8) has finished in the frame in all her seven races, winning four times, including a couple of Graded Stakes on her last two starts. The first was the Santa Margarita G2 over this trip at Santa Anita towards the end of May, which she won by 5 lengths. Then, after a break of 10 weeks, she came back to win the Clement Hirsch G1 there, over 110 yards shorter, beating Kopin (in the Sprint today) by 1½ lengths, with Richi (in the Filly and Mare Sprint earlier) another 3½ lengths further back. Controlling the pace there, she earned a very strong speed figure for the effort.
NITROGEN (1) is another who has yet to finish out of the frame, in eleven races in her case, with six ticks in her win column. Four of those victories came from her eight races on turf, and she is two for three on the main track. Her second win on dirt came in the Alabama G1 at Saratoga, going ten furlongs in the middle of August, when she proved the best of her age group, scoring by 1½ lengths. Then, early in October, she took on her elders for the first time in the Spinster G1, over this trip at Keeneland. Gin Gin (7) broke well there and set a pressured pace, with Nirtogen (1) racing just behind, before hooking up with Gin Gin (7) in the lane. However, Nitrogen (1) was still a neck behind at the laine, with Scylla (4) 1½ lengths behind in 3rd.
Dorth Vader (12) is more exposed than some in here but won the Ogden Phipps G1 at Saratoga in June, before giving a declining Thorpedo Anna a scare there in Personal Ensign G1 in late August.
Seismic Beauty (8) has a clear chance here but there is a chance that Gin Gin (7) could draw her intro a pace battle, which would do neither of them much good. But that would set things up for Nitrogen (1), who still has scope for improvement.
Selection: Nitrogen (1)
Del Mar Race 8 (9.41am)
Longines BC Turf – 3 year olds and upwards – One mile and a half - Turf
If REBEL'S ROMANCE (1) can take this, he will become only the second three-time winner of the same Breeders’ Cup division, joining the mighty Goldikova, who won the Mile in three consecutive years 2008-2010. Rebel’s Romance (1) won in 2022, missed the meeting in 2023, then came back last year to add a second success. He has been cannily campaigned throughout by Charlie Appleby, and this year has won five of his seven races, with his first victory coming in the Yorkshire Cup G2. Then came a win in the Hardwicke Stakes Cup G2 at Royal Ascot, before an excellent 3rd to Calandagan and Kalpana in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes G1 there in July. A trip to Germany, a regular jaunt for this lad, provided Billy Loughnane with his first top level success in August. it was then back to US to lead all the way in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic G1, to beat Rhetorical by 3½ lengths, with stable mate El Cordobes (1) a neck behind that one in 3rd. He's been there and done it twice, can he do it again?
Minnie Hauk (8) has had a banner season, regardless of what happens here. She has won four Oaks, the Cheshire in May (showing the track configuration here should be no concern), The Oaks in June, the Irish in July, then the Yorkshire in August, with the last three being G1 races. But she wasn’t finished - she was off to Longchamp for the Prix De ‘Arc de Triomphe G1. And what a race she ran. Drawn one, Christophe Soumillon got her away smartly from the gate and she was able to get a comfortable tracking position, before making her bid with two furlongs to run. It looked like it might be a decisive move, but she was caught late by Daryz, who prevailed by a head, with Sosie in 3rd, 5½ lengths behind. It was a very hard race, as indicated by a slight drift left close the home but she never flinched.
Goliath (2) is an interesting contender. The winner of the King George Vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes G1 last year, He has won three of his six starts since, three from four in Europe, with a couple of runs out east yielding little. However, his victory in the Grosser Preis von Baden G1 in early September indicated that he could mix it in this group.
El Cordobes (10) put up a good performance behind Rebel’s Romance (1) last time, in a race not run to suit. On his prior start in the Sword Dancer G1, also over a mile and a half, at Saratoga, he chased down much a much stronger pace, getting up to win by ½ a length from Rebel Red (5) and earning a speed figure that would see him go close here.
Nine of the last ten winners of this have been trainer in Europe and I anticipate that will become ten from eleven here. With Minne Hauk (8) having such a slog last time, I am siding with Rebel’s Romance (1) today.
Selection: Rebel’s Romance (1)
Del Mar Race 9 (10.25pm)
Longines BC Classic – 3 year olds and upwards – One mile and a quarter - Dirt
It was such a pity that Sovereignty had to be scratched from this, turning what looked like the best Classic in the history of the Breeders’ Cup into merely a very, very good one.
We know that SIERRA LEONE (7) likes this trip, he has finished in the frame in all his five races over ten furlongs, and his best performances have come when there was a hot pace for him to run at. The best example of that came last year’s Classic, when the Japanese raider, Derma Sotogake, took the field along, going 44.96 for the first half mile, then 1:09.44 through six furlongs, before fading to finish 13th of the fourteen runners, beaten 24½ lengths. There is a reason that connections have entered Contrary Thinking (4) much to the discontent of Mr Repole. He is capable of putting the necessary pace to the race and should take them far enough to suit Sierra Leone (7).
Fierceness (1) has not been the most reliable performer but he is undoubtedly very talented on his day, as his win in the Pacific Classic G1, here at the end of August showed. Despite ducking out early from this draw, he tracked the strong early pace, before taking over with three furlongs to run, then holding Journalism (9) at bay by 3¼ lengths. Having raced close to that fevered pace last year, he put up a monumental effort to finish 2nd to Sierra Leone (7). He is a proper racehorse and, at his best, he would make them all go.
Journalism (9) went into that race having won the Preakness G1 and the Haskel G1, and finished runner up twice to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby G1 and the Belmont G1. In the Haskell G1, he was slowly away, before getting on top of inferior rivals, winning by ½ length as the 2-5 favourite. He was given a similar ride last time, when going off at the same price on his first start against his elders. Unlike in New Jersey, where he faced inferior opposition, Fierceness (1) did not falter.
Baeza (2) finished behind Sovereignty and Journalism when 3rd in the Kentucky Derby G1 and the Belmont G1. He got closer to Sovereignty when a length 2nd in the Jim Dandy G2 at Saratoga, before winning the Pennsylvania Derby G1 at Parx in September. However, he is in the big boys playground here.
Forever Young (5), unlucky in last year’s Kentucky /Derby G1, put up another strong performance in the 2024 Classic G1. Like Fierceness (1), he raced close to the robust pace set by his countryman but when the other lad struck for home with two and a half furlongs to run, he was held up as Sierra Leone (7) closed round the outside but he kept on stoutly to take third place, beaten 1½ lengths and 1¼. He arrives from a similar prep to last year and looks sure to give a bold showing again.
Mindframe (8) who beat Sierra Leone (7) in the Stephen Foster G1 at the end of June has always looked capable of more. However, he was denied the chance to show it in the Jockey Club G1 at the end of August, when Irad Ortiz was unshipped after a bump in a messy start in a race that Antiquarian (10), a blossoming four year old, won by a 1½ from Sierra Leone (7).
The Top of the Bill may not be here but this is still a Classic to savour. The are not many here that I would argue should be discounted but, with the pace likely to be very warm, doesn’t it set up for a repeat from Sierra Leone (7)?
Selection: Sierra Leone (7)
Del Mar Race 10 (11.05pm)
FanDuel BC Mile – 3 year olds and upwards – One Mile - Turf
Notable Speech (2) started this year with a couple of 4th place finishes going a mile. The first was in the Lockinge G1 at Newbury, followed by the Queen Anne G1 at Royal Ascot, before being cut back to six furlongs in the July Cup G1, where he finished 5th. Back up to a mile in August in the Prix Jaques Le Marois G1, he charged home but fell short by just head behind Diego Velazquez. Just under four weeks later, he ran in the Woodbine Mile G1. Sent off at 2-5, he was tightened up at the start but charged home to score by 1¾ lengths, with Gas Me Up (12) the same margin back in 3rd. His form entitles him to top the betting.
SAHLAN (3) who, earlier in the year had finished well adrift when Jonquil (10) was 2nd in the French 2000 Guineas, won a G3 at Deauville in August. He was 10-1 to take that and was double that price when lining up in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1 on Arc Day. However, he put up a gutsy performance to take that by ½ a length from Rosallion, with The Lion in Winter (4) a neck back in 3rd. His trainer has kept the faith with him and he has blossomed into a useful performer who looks capable of further improvement.
After his runner up placing in the French Guineas, Jonquil (10) was cut back in trip to six furlongs to contest the Commonwealth Cup G1 at Royal Ascot. That didn’t work out, neither did a go over seven in the Lennox G2 at Goodwood. However, he won the Celebration Mile G2 there going a mile towards the end of August. He then ran in the Turf Mile G1 at Keeneland four week ago. Too far off the early pace, he closed strongly to finish 4th, 1½ lengths behind the winner Rhetorical (11) and ¾ off runner-up Program Trading (5). I think he can turn that form around.
Johannes (7) may be the best of the locals. He was beaten ¾ of a length in this last year, with Notable Speech (2) a head back in 3rd. He tuned up for this with a win in City of Hope Mile G2 at Santa Anita at the end of September and should play a part again.
With little obvious pace, this could get messy but I am hoping it will fall to Sahlan (3).
Selection: Sahlan (3)
Del Mar Race 11 (11.45pm)
BC Dirt Mile - 3 year olds and upwards – One mile - Dirt
At just over 13-1 locally, FULL SERRANO (6) was a bit of a surprise when he won this last year. However, his ½ a length 2nd in the Pacific Classic G1 on his previous outing should have given us a bit of a clue. He was not seen after his 2024 win, until enjoying a facile score in an Allowance Optional Claimer success here at the beginning of September as the 1-10 favourite. Like last year, his final prep came in a top-level contest as he finished 2nd to Nevada Beach (entered in the Classic G1) in the Goodwood G1. I think he has a good chance of repeating here.
Nysos (3) has only been beaten once in his six-race career. That came in the Churchill Downs Stakes G1 in May, going seven furlongs, when he dead heated for 2nd, a neck behind the winner Mindframe. He has won both is races since, but the quality of the opposition was not strong either time. Unsurprisingly he earned good speed figures for those romps but he is facing more of a horse race here.
Mystik Dan (4), the 2024 Kentucky Derby G1 winner, followed that with a 2nd in the Preakness G1. However, he got a bit lost in his three races after that, before returning to form when a nose 2nd in a Listed Stake at Oaklawn Park at the beginning of May, before taking a G3 at Churchill downs four weeks later. He was then 4th in the Steven Foster G1, before taking the same finishing position in the Arlington Million G1, going ten furlongs on turf. He prepped for this back at nine furlongs on dirt, when winning the Lukas Classic G2, back at Churchill at the end of September. I think he could be a real player here.
White Abarrio (10), the BC Classic G1 winner in 2023, is looking for his second top grade success this year in this. He won the Pegasus World Cup G1 at the end of January, going eight and a half furlongs at Gulfstream Park, and followed that with a victory in a G3, over the same course and distance two month later. However, since then he has finished 4th in a trio of G1 races at Saratoga, over mile, nine, then ten furlongs. Although this is quite a deep race, I am not sure he is meeting anything of the quality he faced in those races and he is another who would not have me falling off my chair if he took this.
Three-year-old Goal Oriented (2), 3rd in the Haskell G1 the Pennsylvania Derby G1, could be interesting cutting back in trip.
Selection: Full Serrano (6)
Del Mar Race 12 (12.25am Sunday)
Maker’s Mark BC Filly and Mare Turf – Fillies and Mares – 3 year olds and upwards – One mile and three furlongs - Turf
GEZORA (5) beat Bedtime Story (11) by a length, when they finished 1st and 2nd in Prix Diane G1 at Chantilly in the middle of June. They met again in the Prix Vermeille G1, on Arc Trial Trails Day in early September, when they were separated by 1¾ lengths in 2nd and 3rd, behind the 1½ lengths winner Aventure. Bedtime Story (11) skipped the Arc and has disappointed twice since, but Gezora (5) ran in the big one but was parked wide on the worst of the going. She never got involved and was ‘looked after’ when out of contention. I expect a big run from this lass today.
Cinderella‘s Dream (9) was the favourite for this in 2024, when beaten ½ a length by Moira. She has won two races this year, the Dahlia G2, going nine furlongs on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in May, then the Falmouth G1 going a mile at the July course in… well July. Since then, she has come up short in two top level races, when 4th in the Prix Jean Romanet G1 at Deauville going ten furlongs, then the Sun Chariot G1 over a mile at Newmarket four weeks ago.
By and large See The Fire (14) has been set some tough tasks this year. Her sole win came when she blitzed seven other distaffers in the Middleton Stakes G2 at York in May. However, she put up a strong effort just under four weeks ago, when a neck 2nd in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp and could enjoy this extra furlong today.
She Feels Pretty (13) is the best of the locals, with three wins from her four starts in 2024. However, I am not sure that her head victory over Diamond Rain (6) in the E.P. Taylor G1 at Woodbine really cuts it against a strong group of invaders here.
Selection: Gezora (5)