BC Turf Preview: Leading US hope can beat Europeans

The Breeders’ Cup Turf has been a happy hunting ground for the European challengers since its inception in 1984, with Enable making it four successive wins for the visitors when defeating Magical 12 months ago, in the process becoming the first Arc winner to follow up at the same season’s Breeders’ Cup. Enable and her conqueror in the latest renewal of the Arc, Waldgeist, are notable omissions from this year’s raiding party, however, and instead it is a member of the home team who currently heads the ante-post betting.

Bricks And Mortar certainly looks a solid favourite having won 10 of his 12 career starts, the most recent of which came when bringing up a Grade 1 hat-trick in the Arlington Million in August, producing a trademark turn of foot to get the verdict by three quarters of a length from Magic Wand, with Bandua another length back in third.

What a horse this is! Bricks And Mortar oozes class to win another big one, taking out the Arlington Million under @iradortiz for Chad Brown with Magic Wand second... @ArlingtonRacing #Million37 #WinAndYoureIN pic.twitter.com/B5hozhEPIT

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 10, 2019

Admittedly, he probably needs to step up on the bare form of that effort to extend his winning sequence here, but it is hard not to be impressed with what he has done so far, leaving the impression that he will be capable of high-class form when circumstances allow it. He looks to hold sound claims for Chad Brown, who has put together a formidable record in turf races at the Breeders’ Cup, recording nine wins in the last seven years alone.

The only other horses currently trading at single-figure odds are both trained in Europe, with Anthony Van Dyck representing the Aidan O’Brien yard that has already won this race six times.

Anthony Van Dyck showed himself to be a very smart performer when winning the Derby at Epsom in June, and though below that form on his next two starts, he bounced back with a good third behind stablemates Magical and Magic Wand in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time.

Seventh heaven for Aidan O'Brien!

Anthony Van Dyck wins the 2019 Investec Derby...#TheSupremeTest #DerbyDay @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/IkbRRm0E9a

— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) June 1, 2019

This race is reported to have been his target since, and with the step back up in trip in his favour, he shouldn’t be underestimated in his bid to emulate O’Brien’s High Chaparral, who won the Derby before following up in this race in 2002. 

Ballydoyle are also responsible for Mount Everest, who remains with very few miles on the clock and shaped as if going back up to a mile and a half would suit when staying on strongly to win a listed race at Leopardstown last time.

The other market principal from Europe is the Charlie Appleby-trained Old Persian, who showed himself to be a high-class performer in his own right when winning the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. That was his first career success at the highest level and he didn’t need to be at his very best to double his tally in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine last time, always in control after hitting the front on the home turn. This strong-traveller will be suited by the way the race is likely to be run and rates a solid place contender for Godolphin.

Congratulations to Old Persian who won the Northern Dancer Stakes @WoodbineTB for trainer Charles Appleby with James Doyle up. pic.twitter.com/oDs0hFk70T

— TVG (@TVG) September 14, 2019

The European challenge is completed by Alounak, a smart performer in his native Germany who proved at least as good as ever when second in the Canadian International at Woodbine last time, while others to note among the home team include Arklow (winner), Channel Maker (runner-up), Channel Cat (fourth) and Zulu Alpha (sixth), all of whom contested the Joe Hirsh Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont last time. The former produced a career best to win that day by half a length, but even that form leaves him with a bit to find in this deeper contest.

In summary, Anthony Van Dyck and Old Persian will provide a stern test to Bricks And Mortar on his first try at a mile and a half, but the leading turf performer in the US is fancied to get the job done once again. The tight Santa Anita turf track places the emphasis more on speed, and, given a break since winning the Arlington Million, his potent turn of foot can be seen to good effect late on.

Recommendation:

Back Bricks And Mortar at 7/4 in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita