Four decent Grade One events at Del Mar, which heralds the start of the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting live on At The Races. There is strong British and Irish interest tonight on what should be an informative evening.
Here are Danny Archer's selections for tonight's racing:
Each Way Double - £10 E/W Returns £656 with Unibet - Money back up to £30 on your first bet
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9.25 Del Mar - Happily
10.50 Del Mar - Mendelssohn
21.25 - G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - HAPPILY 4/1 and MADELINE 20/1 Each Way
Aidan O'Brien's Happily sets a strong standard in this one mile event based on her impressive successes the last twice. A short-head winner over stable companion Magical in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, the two-year-old daughter of Galileo then followed up with a decisive length and a quarter-success in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly last time where she beat the boys with a decisive turn of foot. Back against her own sex tonight, she holds very strong claims despite fears that this track may be a bit sharp for her.
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Madeline steps up to a mile for the first time having previously raced over five and six furlongs. However, this sharp track should play to her strengths and she was impressive when landing a Listed event at Newbury in July. She has run with credit in two runs since when second to Threading in the Lowther before chasing home the top-class Clemmie in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. She looks sure to go well here.
22.05 - G1 Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile - MOR SPIRIT 5/2 and CUPID 12/1 Each Way
Impressive in last three starts which included a fine victory over rival Sharp Azteca at Belmont Park last time. The four-year-old son of Eskendereya has not been seen since June but represents top connetions in Bob Baffert and Mike Smith.
Cupid is Mor Spirit's stable companion and he has landed two victories from three starts this year. He was fourth to Breeders' Cup Classic contender Mubtaahij at Santa Anita last time but he was the 5/6 favourite that day and has plenty of pace. He should give a good account of himself returning to a mile.
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22.50 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf - MENDELSOOHN 9/1 and JAMES GARFIELD 7/1 Each Way
Mendelssohn was a 50/1 second in the Dewhurst last time stepping up markedly on his previous form. He cost $3 million as a yearling and is a half-brother to the top-class Beholder. This sharper track should suit and he looks well worth backing here.
James Garfield broke the track record at Newbury last time in the Mill Reef and will appreciate conditions here. Frankie Dettori rides and whilst he has to prove he handles the step up to a mile but there looks sure to be more improvement to come.
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11.35 - Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff - STELLAR WIND 5/2 and ABEL TASMAN 7/1 Each Way
Stellar Wind has enjoyed a phenomenal year for John Sadler and is unbeaten in three starts this season. The five-year-old daughter of Curlin was a comfortable winner on her latest start at Del Mar and looks primed to go close again. She was second in this in 2015 and 4th last year but following some excellent runs, she looks sure to go well.
Abel Tasman looks sure to go well for Bob Baffert and Mike Smith. The three-year-old daughter of Quality Road was only second last time at Parx but looks a filly still on the upgrade and better is expected here. She has previously won the Kentucky Oaks and she can make a bold bid to land a fifth Group One success here.
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