Breeders Cup 2006 Betting
 | BREEDERS CUP BETTING TIPS!sportingway's state side correspondent, The Yankee, gives you the lowdown on all the races for Today's Breeders Cup. |
Last updated: Saturday 04th November 2006
Connections Confident behind David Junior
DAVID JUNIOR left Britain bound for Kentucky on Sunday, with connections hoping he can give them "one last big roll of the dice" in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday.Preparations for the US mission appear to have gone smoothly for the Brian Meehan-trained four-year-old since his Coral-Eclipse victory in July and, despite his layoff and never having raced on dirt, he is as short as 7-1 with Stan James to win the feature race at Churchill Downs this weekend.
Eamonn Connelly, racing manager to the colt's owner David Sullivan, said: "He's in great form, everything has gone nicely in his build-up and Brian was very happy with him when the horse left the yard this morning.
"He's due to arrive in Kentucky this evening and, provided he negotiates the journey without any problems, we're hoping for one last big roll of the dice before he retires to stud."
Earlier this month, David Junior was sold to the Japan Racing Association in a deal reported to be worth $8 million (£4.25m), and will be retired to stud in Japan at the end of the season.
Connelly added: "His form entitles him to a leading chance and we think the race should be run to suit him, as there ought to be a strong gallop from the start.
"The two main factors we're less certain about are his draw position, over which we have no control, and a dirt surface, something he has less experience of than his American rivals.
"We bought him at the Calder breeze-up sales, though, and there are plenty of dirt performers in his pedigree, so we're hoping the surface isn't too much of a problem." Stan Moore is also optimistic about the prospects of Ascot Listed race winner Satulagi, who contests the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' race.
The Upper Lambourn trainer said on Sunday: "She's very tough and streetwise, which should be a big advantage in a race where some of them are only just starting to learn.
"She's American bred and loves fast ground, so the track should suit her. Her preparation has gone well, she's fit and in form, and she has been competitiveat stakes level right through the summer, so that has to be a help."
Moore added: "We don't need to do a lot more with her at this stage, but we do want to put her through a set of stalls on-track, because, although she's never given any trouble in them here, they're different in the States and they ring a bell before the off.
"We plan to give her a little breeze on Tuesday, then have her ridden in a nice quiet piece of work on Wednesday, before putting her through some stalls - maybe twice - on Thursday.
"Friday will just be a matter of keeping her in cotton wool, with all our fingers crossed, as we know only too well that 24 hours can be a very long time in the life of a racehorse."
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