Horse Betting World

Breeders´ Cup Turf

No Breeders’ Cup race as been dominated by the Europeans more than the Breeders’ Cup Turf. It all started back in 1984 at Hollywood Park when Lashkari, the longest price on the board at 53/1, got up in the shadow of the wire. The Euros were right back in the winner’s circle the following year with Pebbles, and they have not stopped sending their best long-distance turf runners since. All told, Europeans have won 16-of-26 editions of this race, including four of the last five and the last two with Conduit.

It takes a top-class trainer to condition a top-class turfer, and some of the biggest names have earned multiple victories in this race. Sir Michael Stoute leads all trainers with four wins in the Turf (Conduit in 2009 and 2008; Kalanisi 2000; and Pilsudski, 1996). Five other trainers have won this race twice: Andre Fabre (Shirocco in 2005, In the Wings in 1990); Aidan O’Brien (High Chaparral in 2003 and 2002); Bill Mott (Fraise in 1992, Theatrical in 1987); Richard Mandella (Johar in 2003, Kotashaan in 1993); and Saeed bin Suroor (Fantastic Light in 2001, Daylami in 1999).

Breeders’ Cup Turf facts to consider in your handicapping:

Distance: 1 ½ Miles on turf

Post Time: 6:00 PM (ET), Saturday

Churchill Downs Track Profile for this distance – over the last two race meets there has only been one race run at this distance. The winner raced just off the pace early, 1.5 lengths behind the leaders at the second call, before moving to the lead at the third call.

Breeders’ Cup Track Profile at Churchill Downs for this distance – in six previous editions held at Churchill Downs, there have been two wire-to-wire winners (Great Communicator in 1988 and Buck’s Boy in 1998). The other winners show an average profile of 6.3 lengths back at the second call and 3.4 lengths back at the third call.

Churchill Downs Post Position Profile for this distance – the winner of the only race run at this distance during the last two race meets started from post 4 in a 10-horse field.

Breeders’ Cup Post Position Profile at Churchill Downs for this distance – post position does not seem to be a major factor in a race of this distance. There have been two winners starting from the inside post, and two winners from post 9. Miss Alleged won from out in post 12.

Betting Angles – Betting favorites are 0-for-6 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, with average winning odds at 15/1 (thanks to Miss Alleged at 42/1). Europeans have won the last two editions of the Turf at Churchill Downs, and three of the last four. They would appear to hold the upper hand heading into championship weekend this year. Three of the last four Turf winners at Churchill Downs had won their most recent start, and every winner with the exception of Miss Alleged had finished on-the-board in their last race. Every local Turf winner had prepped in a turf race at 1 ¼ miles or longer. With previous editions playing fair to all running styles, the deciding factor often comes down to class.