5 under the radar horses for Breeders' Cup Saturday

A total of nine Breeders’ Cup contests will take place at Del Mar on Saturday, headlined by the $6 million Classic (G1). In my view, the favorites look to be imposing in at least three of the races, but I feel that there are multiple events where great value could be found.

Race 5 - Turf Sprint (G1)

Four of the major contenders in the field drew the inner four post positions, which could bode well for horses who are in the outer starting stalls. While I see #3 Golden Pal (7-2) as potential lone speed in the dash, I will give way to his stablemate #9 Kimari (6-1) for top billing. The four-year-old filly is one of my favorite horses in training, and while she may be better on the dirt than the grass, she is still good enough to win this race. The Speightstown filly comes in fresh with some fine morning drills, and she gets Joel Rosario to ride.

Race 9 - Mile (G1)

A pair of European invaders are at the top of my list as dangerous outsiders in a stacked field. Prix de la Foret (G1) second #12 Pearls Galore (12-1) has been in excellent form this campaign and figures to thrive on the firm going at Del Mar in her stateside debut. The Paddy Twomey trainee will stalk the pace and move to the fore nearing the midstretch mark under Billy Lee.

#1 Master of the Seas (12-1) will have to be creative to overcome the tricky rail post in a big field, but the Charlie Appleby pupil could be good enough to do so beneath James Doyle. The talented Dubawi sophomore ran Poetic Flare to a head at Newmarket three back, and a repeat of that performance will have him in the mix late.

Race 10 - Distaff (G1)

Two contenders in the rich affair have appeal to me, and for the same reason. Both #2 Royal Flag (8-1) and #5 Clairiere (12-1) fire seemingly every time out, and each is coming off of a visually impressive graded stakes victory as well. The former has won or placed in all 12 career outings to date, while the latter has never been worse than fourth while facing top foes in her last eight. I would suggest using the two classy ladies in all vertical exotics.

Race 12 - Classic (G1)

The topper features a fantastic field to close out a sensational day of racing. John Sadler’s #1 Tripoli (15-1) has morphed into a new animal with the move to dirt racing four back, and I feel that the son of Kitten’s Joy is sitting on a huge effort at a big number. The chestnut colt won the Pacific Classic (G1) with relative ease on the surface two prior, and while he faces a more daunting task on Saturday, I can envision the peaking four-year-old to be in with a top-three chance through the stretch. Picking up Irad Ortiz was a major coup as well.