By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
Pre-entries for the 2021
Breeders’ Cup had been launched on Wednesday, which implies handicappers are busy
pouring over previous performances for the two-day Del Mar extravaganza.
Whereas a confirmed affinity for
Del Mar is not a prerequisite for successful Breeders’ Cup races, it definitely
would not harm. In reviewing the pre-entries, I’ve come throughout a handful of Del
Mar specialists who could also be able to parlaying their stellar seaside type into
career-defining victories within the Nov. 5-6 championships.
Let’s discover their credentials:
Dr. Shivel (Breeders’ Cup Dash)
Most people will probably be throughout Jackie’s
Warrior because the almost definitely winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1), and I will
in all probability be amongst them. In spite of everything, Jackie’s Warrior has gained thrice on the
Grade 1 stage and simply retains getting sooner, arriving at Del Mar off an
easy 6 3/4-length romp within the Gallant Bob S. (G2).
However I can not blame anybody who
needs to take a shot in opposition to Jackie’s Warrior with native horse-for-the-course Dr.
Schivel. The son of Violence boasts an unblemished 3-for-3 document at Del Mar,
together with a cushty rating over future graded stakes winner Spielberg within the
2020 Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Dr. Schivel picked up a
second Grade 1 win earlier this summer season at Del Mar, when he rallied gamely to
beat Grade 1 winner Eight Rings and 2020 Breeders’ Cup Dash runner-up C Z
Rocket by a neck. He then proved this effort wasn’t a fluke by coming again to
beat Grade 1 winner Flagstaff by 3 1/4 lengths within the Santa Anita Dash
Championship (G2).
A flexible three-year-old
able to successful with any working fashion, Dr. Schivel clearly loves Del Mar
and will probably be harmful if he takes one other step ahead within the Breeders’ Cup Dash.
In contrast to Jackie’s Warrior. Dr. Schivel has already defeated older horses three
instances, so we all know he is able to competing exterior his age group. Certainly a
top-three end (and even victory) is inside attain?
Ginobili (Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile)
Along with his 3-for-4 document over
the Del Mar important observe, Ginobili clearly has what it takes to deal with the native
floor. A maiden winner at Del Mar in the course of the summer season of 2019, Ginobili went
practically two years with out visiting the winner’s circle. However returning to the Del
Mar grime earlier this summer season triggered a large turnaround for Ginobili.
Certainly, Ginobili was tons
the most effective in a one-mile allowance optionally available claimer on July 17. Carrying blinkers
for the primary time, Ginobili tracked a sub-:22 opening quarter mile earlier than drawing
away via quick fractions to smash his pursuers by 9 3/4 lengths. He was simply
as spectacular within the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien S. (G2) on Aug. 28 at Del Mar,
dueling for the early lead earlier than kicking away to beat C Z Rocket and Flagstaff
by 1 3/4 lengths.
Ginobili has been coaching
up a storm for the reason that Pat O’Brien, cranking out quick exercises like clockwork at
the San Luis Rey Coaching Heart. 4 furlongs in :47 4/5… 5 furlongs in
1:00 4/5… six furlongs in 1:11 3/5… 5 furlongs in :57 1/5… six furlongs in
1:13 flat. The final three strikes had been all bullets, so it appears secure to imagine
Ginobili is being cranked for a peak effort within the Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile.
There are some proficient
horses pre-entered within the Grime Mile, together with Kelso Handicap (G2) winner Life
Is Good and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) hero Silver State. However Ginobili’s
bettering type and apparent affinity for the Del Mar important observe could also be
enough to tip the scales in his favor.
Mo Forza (Breeders’ Cup Mile)
Technically, Mo Forza did not
begin off life as an unbeatable Del Mar specialist. The son of Uncle Mo
truly misplaced his first three begins over the native garden, although he did end
second twice and by no means misplaced by multiple size.
The excellent news is, Mo Forza
has gotten higher with age and enters the Breeders’ Cup Mile with eight wins
from his line 9 begins, together with a trio of graded wins at Del Mar. Triumphs
within the 2019 Hollywood Derby (G1) and 2020 Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) had been
spectacular, however arguably Mo Forza’s greatest Del Mar efficiency got here within the 2021
Del Mar Mile Handicap. Getting back from an extended layoff, the five-year-old miler settled
as many as 4 1/2 lengths behind a sluggish tempo earlier than exploding down the
homestretch to beat Grade 1 winners Easy Like Strait and Hit the Highway by a head.
Mo Forza confirmed a equally
stellar turn-of-foot within the Metropolis of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita earlier this
month, gaining 3 1/2 lengths via the ultimate furlong to once more defeat Easy Like
Strait and Hit the Highway. His margin of victory was a barely extra decisive
half-length, presumably the results of encountering considerably sooner tempo
fractions than within the Del Mar Mile Handicap.
If Mo Forza receives one other
suitably quick tempo within the Breeders’ Cup Mile—and there is no motive to suppose he
will not—I am assured he’ll be within the hunt for victory. His confirmed capability to
excel over the Del Mar garden is an asset to not be underestimated.
Now it is you flip! Do you
suppose we’ll see any Del Mar specialists go to the winner’s circle in the course of the
Breeders’ Cup?
*****
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J. Keeler Johnson (also called “Keelerman”) is a author, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing fanatic. An incredible fan of racing historical past, he considers Dr. Fager to be the best racehorse ever produced in America, however counts Zenyatta as his all-time favourite.
