The runners in the 2017 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf race along the backstretch at Del Mar. host of the 2021 World Championships. (Eclipse Sportswire)
Only two horses have won back-to-back editions of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, but there could be a hat trick this year as Tarnawa returns after winning the 2020 event at Keeneland.
It will be interesting to see how she fares, though, she may have received a bad omen with the post position when she drew an unlucky stall, No. 13.
Breeders’ Cup Turf
Racetrack: Del Mar, Del Mar, Calif. Date: Nov. 6 Purse: $4 million Distance: 1 1/2 miles, turf Race: 11 Post Time: 7:40 p.m. ET Notable winners: Tarnawa (2020), Bricks and Mortar (2019), Enable (2018), Found (2015), Main Sequence (2014), Conduit (2008-’09), English Channel (2007), High Chaparral (2002-’03), Kotashaan (1993), Manila (1986), Pebbles (1985). First held: 1984
1. Rockemperor(15-1): Everything came together for him last time when he won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes in sharp time. A repeat of that effort will make him dangerous here, but he’s only 4-for-20 in his career and might regress off that effort.
5. Tribhuvan(20-1): He most likely will be on the lead but he will have company there and it seems unlikely that he can handle all that pressure and fend off the closers.
6. Acclimate (20-1): Speaking of speedsters, he will also be winging from the moment they open the starting gate. He’s West Coast-based and has an edge there, but he also appears to have an uphill climb in front of him.
7. Walton Street (8-1): He deserves considerable respect after cruising to an easy Grade 1 win at Woodbine. The distance and turf condition should not be a problem for him and he seems poised for another big effort.
8. Broome (20-1): He didn’t fire in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but that’s excusable. The firm turf here should help his cause and it would be unwise to toss him out.
9. Sisfahan (12-1): German 3-year-old can handle the distance and turned in some good efforts in his first tries against older rivals. Hard to gauge how he’ll fare here, but the other Europeans are more appealing.
10. Yibir(12-1): He turned in a strong effort to win the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes in his U.S. debut. The distance will not be an issue, but he’s yet to face older rivals and that’s the kind of class jump that is worrisome here.
11. Gufo(8-1): Coming off a Grade 1 win, he disappointed in the Joe Hirsch, weakening in the stretch and finishing third. He’s certainly liable to wake up here, although he’ll break from a tough post position.
12. Teona(6-1): She’s a 3-year-old filly with a world of talent. Won the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille last time and seems to be getting better with each start. She cannot be ignored and it would be no surprise if she emerges victorious.
13. Tarnawa(9-5): The winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, she was a very game second in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She was second to a top-class rival in St Mark’s Basilica before that and seems as good as ever right now. The post is the only cause for concern.
14. Japan(20-1): He was sixth in the Joe Hirsch and asking for a bounce-back effort form this post seems like a futile challenge.
Television schedule
Thursday, Nov. 4: 1:30 a.m.-3 a.m. and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. ET on FS2; 5 p.m.-6 p.m. on NBCSN; post time varies on TVG
Friday, Nov. 5: 12:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on FS2; 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on NBCSN; post time varies on TVG
Saturday, Nov. 6: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. on FS2; 2:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on NBCSN; 8 p.m.-9 p.m. on NBC; post time varies on TVG
Sunday, Nov. 7: 11:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on FS2; 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on FS1; post time varies on TVG
15. Bolshoi Ballet(15-1): He looked good winning the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes in his first U.S. start but a pair of fourths since then do not bode well for his chances.
AE-18. Friar’s Road(30-1): Turned in a strong effort last time, but will have to deal with a bad post if he draws into the race off the also-eligible list.