Best plays on Breeders' Cup Saturday

Here are four horses I look forward to playing on Breeders’ Cup Saturday:

Turf Sprint: World of Trouble drew well in post 11 and exits a pair of sharp stakes wins in turf sprints, including an easy tally in the Quick Call at today’s 5 ½-furlong distance. I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet. World of Trouble doesn’t require the early lead but could prove to be the controlling speed with Irad Ortiz Jr. and he will be singled in multi-race tickets.

Filly & Mare Turf: After leading wire-to-wire in the Nassau (G1) in early August, Wild Illusion returned from a two-month freshening with a one-length tally in the October 7 Prix de l’Opera (G1), rating comfortably behind the early leaders before offering an excellent turn of foot to win by a length. Her tactical speed could prove to be an asset and I think the last effort sets up Wild Illusion for a career-best performance. A single for me.

Distaff: Tough race but I think the three-year-old fillies are slower than their elders and I will to take a stand against Abel Tasman following a complete clunker last month, an effort that followed an extremely grueling win in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga. I’m going with Wow Cat off an encouraging 3 ¼-length victory in the October 6 Beldame (G1) at Belmont Park. An unbeaten champion from Chile, Wow Cat raced last December in her homeland before being sent to North America and transferred to Chad Brown. South American horses often need time to acclimate and the four-year-old filly returned to competition only six months later at Belmont Park, dropping her first two starts before thriving in the Beldame. Wow Cat registered a 102 BRIS Speed rating last time and I expect her to keep moving forward as she rounds into top form. She has good tactical speed and outside posts fared well Friday on the main track.

Classic: Mind Your Biscuits showed an affinity for Churchill Downs when capturing the September 29 Lukas Classic (G3), registering a 109 BRIS Speed rating for the 4 ¾-length decision. He’s one of only five in the field (along with Accelerate, Axelrod, McKInzie and West Coast) to run that fast in prep races and the five-year-old won’t be too far back in the early stages. Like the outside post and his finishing kick (109 BRIS Late Pace numbers in his last two attempts on fast track) and Mind Your Biscuits lays it on the line every time. He can conclude his racing career on a winning note.