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The FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund typically brings together some of the world’s best turf runners. This year’s 40th edition at Santa Anita is no exception with five starters with international connections playing prominent positions in a race that has showcased some of the Breeders’ Cup’s brightest stars.
1. Shirl’s Speight (30-1): He was second in last year’s 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile at a whopping 55-1 odds and figures to be a big price once again. With the prospect of a ground-saving trip from the rail and exiting a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile, he certainly deserves a close look.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez TRAINER: Roger Attfield
2. Gina Romantica (12-1): Chad Brown-trained filly has blossomed in her last two starts, winning the Grade 1 First Lady presented by UK HealthCare and beating a top rival in stablemate In Italian. A filly and mare can thrive in this race as evidenced by Goldikova and Miesque, among others.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione TRAINER: Chad Brown
3. Casa Creed (8-1): The 7-year-old would be best suited by a 6 ½-furlong sprint but he’s quite accomplished at a mile, winning the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga the last two years. A very serious threat in this field.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez TRAINER: Bill Mott
4. Win Carnellan (30-1): Japanese runner has struggled in Grade 1 races and will need to take a few steps forward to land in the winner’s circle here.
JOCKEY: Kosei Miura TRAINER: Yuichi Shikato
5. Lucky Score (30-1): Should not be overlooked here, especially at the price. Missed by a head in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at six furlongs and has been no worse than third in his last nine tries. The mile might be a bit long for him but he could land in the exotics, especially with Irad Ortiz Jr. jumping aboard.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr. TRAINER: Mark Casse
6. Mawj (4-1): Speedy 3-year-old filly won Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes presented by Dixiana in her U.S. debut. Faces a tough assignment here, but there’s not an abundance of early speed which can help her chances.
JOCKEY: Oisin Murphy TRAINER: Saeed bin Suroor
7. Masteroffoxhounds (30-1): The mile distance seems a tad short for him based on his strong efforts at a mile and a quarter. The pace here will not flatter him.
JOCKEY: Edwin Maldonado TRAINER: Phil D’Amato
8. Du Jour (6-1): Ideally suited by a mile with a mark of four wins and three seconds at the distance. Lost by a neck in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Kilroe Mile Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita in March. Could give Baffert his first Breeders’ Cup win on turf.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat TRAINER: Bob Baffert
9. Astronomer (20-1): Was second in a Grade 2 turf stakes at Santa Anita in September, but faces a tough climb into Grade 1 waters for the first time.
JOCKEY: Ryan Moore TRAINER: Simon Callaghan
10. Songline (5-2): A multiple Grade 1 winner in Japan, she had a nice prep in a Grade 2 stakes back home last month. Didn’t fire in a Saudi Arabia race in February in which Casa Creed finished second, but seems quite capable of a more representative effort here.
JOCKEY: Keita Tosaki TRAINER: Toru Hayashi
11. Kelina (6-1): Won the prestigious Prix de la Foret in France but was 27-1 that day. His other tries in Group 1 stakes do not inspire confidence.
JOCKEY: Maxime Guyon TRAINER: Carlos Laffon-Parias
12. Exaulted (20-1): Some intriguing results, like a win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita in the spring, but his running style may work against him from this post.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez TRAINER: Peter Eurton
13. More Than Looks (15-1): Three-year-old colt tries his elders for the first time in a stakes and could be a late threat. Will need a great ride from Rosario to avoid a costly wide trip.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux
14. Master of The Seas (7-2): With a better post, he’s the top pick. But from post 14 a lot can go wrong. He looked very impressive in his two North American starts but they were from the rail.
JOCKEY: William Buick TRAINER: Charlie Appleby
THE PICK: Songline
LIVE LONGSHOT: Casa Creed
SUPERFECTA: 10-3-14-8