BREEDERS' CUP PREVIEW:LINGERING FEARS among American horse players that Santa Anita's synthetic Pro-Ride surface is more suitable to Europeans than themselves could come home with a vengeance if Rainbow View can land tonight's Ladies Classic.
The fairer sex dominates the first instalment of Breeders’ Cup 2009 with only the Marathon open to males among the six prestigious events.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup was a beano for the European visitors with five winners including a one-two in the $5 million Classic that left American pride seriously dented as well as adding momentum towards a push back to dirt racing.
Some industry leaders in the US like Bob Baffert and Wayne Lukas remain vehemently opposed to dirt tracks being torn up in favour of artificial surfaces and it could be worth betting that the next couple of days will only emphasise their determination.
Certainly the Marathon looks set to provide an ideal kick-off for the Europeans with Father Time a possibility to reverse St Leger form with Mastery although Aidan O’Brien’s runner, Man Of Iron, looks progressive.
There will be serious disappointment in the Ballydoyle camp, though, if Lillie Langtry can’t land the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Debutante winner should relish the fast ground conditions and comes here on the back of a valuable success at Newmarket which looks to put her clear of this opposition on ratings.
However, the feature race tonight will be the Ladies Classic which has been thrown wide open with Zenyatta’s switch to tomorrow night’s feature.
Godolphin’s Music Note is top class on Belmont’s dirt but the Pro-Ride is a different ball-game and taking short odds on her may be dangerous.
The ex-French Proviso was first past the post in a Grade One at Keeneland’s all-weather last month but thrown out in favour of Mushka. Both clash again now but Rainbow View’s form in Europe was superior to Proviso and she is already a Group One winner this year in Leopardstown’s Matron Stakes.
John Gosden produced Raven’s Pass to win last year’s Classic and he reports Rainbow View to have thrived in the Californian sunshine since being shipped from Canada following her EP Taylor second.
Midday will be a European fancy in the Filly and Mare Turf but the course winner Magical Fantasy could be better value while Ventura is a likely favourite to complete back-to-back wins in the mares sprint.
Negligee won the a Grade One at Keeneland on her last start and looks the one to beat in the Juvenile Fillies.
