2020 Breeders' Cup contenders worth considering at a price

The 2020 Breeders' Cup pre-entries have only just been announced and we're far from knowing the final field compositions, track/course conditions, and morning line odds.

Nonetheless, it's still possible to be on the lookout for a few higher-priced horses running over Breeders' Cup weekend who might conceivably run well enough to either upset or provide a boost to vertical exotics payoffs.

We had some luck last year doing something similar, tabbing Sharing in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) as well as the cold exacta in the Turf Sprint (G1). Most of the following probably won't be double digits on the eventual morning line, but none are likely to be among the betting favorites either.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

CADILLAC is an Irish invader with a 2-for-2 record over a left-handed bend (both at Leopardstown) and with very appealing form lines to boot. Beaten only a half-length in the Futurity (G2) at The Curragh by Mac Swiney, who recently captured the Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1), he rebounded to win the KPMG Champions Juvenile (G2) by more than three lengths over Van Gogh, subsequent winner of the Criterium International (G1) at Saint-Cloud. Seemingly capable of more than what he showed in the Dewhurst (G1) last time over a straight 7 furlongs.

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

She didn't fare so well as our choice in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), but the cutting back to one turn is an interesting move for SPEECH. She gave likely race favorite Gamine a scare earlier this year, albeit around two turns, and clearly likes this track after a stakes-record performance in the 1 1/16-mile Ashland (G1) in July. A strong pace involving Serengeti Empress and/or Gamine would undoubtedly aid her chances at picking up some pieces late.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Among those with a prior stakes win over the course and distance, the Australian-bred OLEKSANDRA probably the one that will be overlooked the most. Although hers came against fillies and mares in the 2019 Franklin County (G3), note that she's 2-for-2 against males in North America including a last-out victory in the Jaipur (G1) at Belmont. The layoff since June 20 is a slight concern, though this race has been won in recent years by some fresh horses.

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf

If her recent ascension into a Group 1-quality mare hasn't been exclusively due to handling bottomless ground better than her rivals, then French import AUDARYA is worth a look here. Although she faces a powerful Chad Brown juggernaut as well as Canadian champion Starship Jubilee in this spot, her last-out third in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) behind bona fide talents Tarnawa and Alpine Star suggests she should not be so easily dismissed in this spot. Likely to offer the longest price among those on this list.

Breeders' Cup Sprint

He didn't show up as our longshot to follow in the Dirt Mile (G1) last year in this space, but DIAMOND OOPS bears watching again in this spot, which is seemingly a better fit. The versatile gelding exits a track-and-distance victory in the Phoenix (G2) (won by Runhappy en route to his 2015 Sprint score over this track) and, more intriguingly, has three wins and a second from his last four main track attempts at 7 furlongs or less. His best is certainly fast enough and the pace scenario is sure to be agreeable to his stalk-and-pounce style.