My Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Picks

As always, European runners should dominate the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Although the Chad Brown trained Fourstar Crook will get plenty of attention, I'm so Euro-focused on the F&M Turf that I've left Chad's runner out of my Top 4. That could burn me, but I'm confident that with the four I've got here, I can put together a winning super ticket.

Check out who I'm going with for the 2018 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf!

Wild Illusion and Magic Wand Could Dominate

1. Wild Illusion

2. Magic Wand

Watch the Prix de l'Opera Longine. Heck, watch it twice. What you'll notice is that both Wild Illusion and Magic Wand relaxed brilliantly before their jockeys pushed them forward. Magic Wand actually got the jump on Wild Illusion, but because she's such a pro, 3 of her 4 lifetime wins were in Group 1 races, she calmly got past her rival.

Charlie Appleby trains Wild Illusion for Godolphin while Adain O'Brien trains Magic Wand for Ballydoyle. This sure looks like one of the most logical exacta boxes in any race on Saturday's BC card.

3. Eziyra

Her last victory happened in a Group 3, but that doesn't knock what she's accomplished heading into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.  Eziyra's won 3 of her last 4. Not only that, but she finished 3rd only a quarter length behind Coronet in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The mare that won that race, Sea of Class, would be favored over Wild Illusion, Fourstar Crook, and Magic Wand in this.

Dermot Weld trains Eziyra. He's done excellent work shipping European horses over to the U.S. If Weld feels that the Irish bred has a shot, I can't argue. Do I believe she can beat either Magic Wand or Wild Illusion? Nope, but I do feel she's good enough to outwork Fourstar Crook and any state-side horse to get into the trifecta.

4. Princess Yaiza

Her win in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu wasn't ultra-impressive, but that's only because she necked out Palombe in a short field. It was her first time racing in a Group race, though, which means she's got some upside. I also like how she looked dead in the water at one point in the stretch before she picked her feet up and turned on the jets.

The main reason to add Princess Yaiza is because she's an overseas Group winner who should get lost in the betting. American bettors will look to Chad's top 3 runners, Sistercharlie, A Raving Beauty, and possible favorite Fourstar Crook.

If the superfecta ends with Princess Yaiza in fourth, it should pay more than anyone dreamed even if Wild Illusion and Magic Wand finish 1-2. Go for the money, right? After all, the Breeders' Cup only happens once a year.