An Announcement

Due to the lack of time, RTTBC will not be returning this year as a blog. However will be remaining active on Twitter with plans on returning next season as the Breeders' Cup will be at Del Mar for the first time. Please check us out at at road to the cup blog (without spaces). Thanks again!

Mini Weekend Recap

The 2015 Breeders' Cup could go down as one of the best of all time. Possibly the most diverse group of ownership winners from Ireland to Kentucky to Mongolia. However the crown jewel was given to owners from New Jersey. As American Pharoah ended his career with authority in the Classic. A full recap will be coming tomorrow.

Saturday Preview

Sadly I don't have time to do a preview for all the races on Saturday. Terrible, I know. However, here are my picks for tomorrow's races.

Juvenile Fillies- Rachel's Valentina, Songbird, Tap To It
Turf Sprint- Bobby's Kitten, Marchman
Filly and Mare Sprint- Taris, Judy the Beauty, Floretti
Filly and Mare Turf- Photo Call, Legatissimo, Hard Not to Like
Sprint- Runhappy, Barbados, Limousine Liberal
Mile- Tepin, Mshawish, Karakontie
Juvenile- Riker, Brody's Cause, Swipe
Turf- Big John B, Golden Horn, The Pizza Man
Classic- American Pharoah, Smooth Roller, Honor Code

Distaff Preview

Sorry guys due to a lack of time there will not be any video previews this year. However to make up for it here is an more closer look at this year's Distaff (will be doing the same thing for the Classic).

9th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 30th, 2015

STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $2,000,000. Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES AND MARES, THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 121 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs.; Southern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs. $20,000 to pre-enter, $20,000 to enter, with guaranteed $2 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in Kentucky. (05:35 PM) (15)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 I'm A Chatterbox 3 F L 121 Geroux Florent Jones J. Larry

2 Frivolous 5 M L 124 Court Jon Kenton Oliver Victoria H.

3 Salama 3 F L 121 Leparoux Julien R. LoPresti Charles

4 Stopchargingmaria 4 F L 124 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.

5 Calamity Kate 3 F L 121 Prado Edgar S. Breen Kelly J.

6 My Sweet Addiction 5 M L 124 Smith Mike E. Jones Martin F.

7 Wedding Toast 5 M L 124 Lezcano Jose McLaughlin Kiaran P.

8 Curalina 3 F L 121 Rosario Joel Pletcher Todd A.

9 Stellar Wind 3 F L 121 Espinoza Victor Sadler John W.

10 Yahilwa 5 M L 124 Graham James Cassidy James M.

11 Untapable 4 F L 124 Velazquez John R. Asmussen Steven M.

12 Got Lucky 4 F L 124 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Pletcher Todd A.

13 Warren's Veneda 5 M L 124 Baze Tyler Lewis Craig Anthony

14 Sheer Drama 5 M L 124 Bravo Joe Fawkes David

15 Peace And War 3 F L 121 Van Dyke Drayden Motion H. Graham

I'm a Chatterbox (Munnings): 2nd in the Alabama and won the Cotillion. Possibly the most consistant 3yo this year with her wins at the Fair Grounds and 3rd in the KY Oaks. Despite being by Munnings, the nine furlongs won't be a problem for her.

Frivolous (Empire Maker): 4th in the Spinster, she won the Locust Grove. Possibly the #4 best Older Female around. Keeneland form has been a little suspect, but she does have a win at the track.

Salama (Desert Party): A G3 winner in Peru, she was second in her US debut in an Allowance/Optional Claimer. Her trainer has had top horses in the past, but this is a monster step up in class for her.

Stopcharginingmaria (Tale of the Cat): 4th in the Personal Ensign and won the Shuvee. Before last had been having a pretty good year and wouldn't be suprised if she where to win. Has had plenty of rest since her last race.

Calmity Kate (Yes It's True): 2nd in the Cotillon and won the Delaware Oaks. Could be a horse to watch for a longshot chance. However, was 9th last year in the Alcibiades on this surface.

My Sweet Addiction (Tiznow): 2nd and 4th in the Zenyatta and Hirsch respectively to Beholder. Won the Vanity earlier this season. Lone start outside of California, 9th in the Flur des Lis. 

Wedding Toast (Street Sense): Won the Beldame and Phipps. 4th in the Madison at Keeneland earlier this year (but that was a sprint). Skipped the Summer races.

Curalina (Curlin): 2nd in the Beldame and 3rd in the Alabama. Was denied the Triple Tiara in the latter. Lone 3yo filly to face older so far in a stakes race.

Stellar Wind (Curlin): Won the Torrey Pines and Summertime Oaks. Also won the SA Oaks earlier this year. Stretches back out to a mile and a eighth.

Yahilwa (Medaliga d' Oro): 3rd in the Spinster and 4th in the Hirsch. With the amount of travel she's had this year, you could say she's the female American Pharoah. Of course the Triple Crown winner's race record is much better.

Untapable scratched

Got Lucky (A.P. Indy): Won the Spinster and was second in the Personal Ensign. 5th in the former last year as a 3yo. Has had only one bad start this year (5th in the Rampart).

Warren's Veneda (Affirmative): 7th in the Zenyatta and 3rd in the Hirsch. Had a 3 win race streak snapped by My Sweet Addiction in the Vanity. Hasn't been the same since.

Sheer Drama (Burning Roma): Won both the Personal Ensign and Delaware Handicap. 1/2 sister to Sprint winner Big Drama. Hasn't finished worse then 2nd this year.

Peace and War (War Front): 3rd in the Cotillion and 2nd in the DE Oaks. Had to wait for a scratch to get into the race. Won the Alcibiades in her US debut on this surface last year.

Picks

Win: Wedding Toast

Place: Sheer Drama

Show: Got Lucky

Dark Horse: Calmity Kate

Juvenile Fillies Turf Preview

8th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 30th, 2015

STAKES. 1 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES, TWO-YEARS-OLD. Weight: 122 lbs. $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in Kentucky. In the event that this race is taken off the turf it will be contested at One Mile on the main track. (04:50 PM) (15)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Tin Type Gal 2 F L 122 Saez Luis Motion H. Graham

2 Thrilled 2 F L 122 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

3 Alice Springs (IRE) 2 F L 122 Moore Ryan L. O'Brien Aidan P.

4 Catch A Glimpse 2 F L 122 Geroux Florent Casse Mark E.

5 Ruby Notion 2 F L o 122 Hernandez Rafael Manuel Ward Wesley A.

6 Andreya's Reward 2 F L 122 Prado Edgar S. Wolfson Milton W.

7 Sapphire Kitten 2 F L 122 Leparoux Julien R. Sharp Joe

8 Harmonize 2 F L 122 Alvarado Junior Mott William I.

9 Nemoralia 2 F L 122 Rosario Joel Noseda Jeremy

10 Illuminate (IRE) 2 F 122 Dettori Lanfranco Hannon Richard

11 Pricedtoperfection 2 F L 122 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Brown Chad C.

12 Gliding By 2 F L 122 Lezcano Jose Mott William I.

13 Mirage (IRE) 2 F L 122 Spencer Jamie P. Callaghan Simon

14 Last Waltz (IRE) 2 F L o 122 Castellano Javier Brown Chad C.

15 Time And Motion 2 F L 122 Smith Mike E. Toner James J.

Tin Type Gal scratched

Thrilled (Uncle Mo): 2^nd in both the Miss Grillo and P.G. Johnson. Sire won the Juvenile in 2010.

Alice Springs (Galileo (IRE)): Won the Tattersalls Filly Trophy and was 4th in the Chevelry Park. Finished fifth in a G2 behind her highly touted stablemate Ballydole.

Catch a Glimpse (City Zip): Won Allowance and the Natalma. Canadian preps have already been a good indicator for BC success.

Ruby Notion (Great Notion): Won both the Colleen and Selima. 5th in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot.

Andreya's Reward (Warrior's Reward): 5th in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies and won the Our Dear Peggy. Both wins have been in FL.

Sapphire Kitten (Kitten's Joy): Broke maiden and 2nd in the Jessamine over this surface. Same owner and sire as Stephanie's Kitten.

Harmonize (Scat Daddy): Won both the Jessamine and P.G. Johnson. Race over surface helps.

Nemoalia (More Than Ready): 2nd in the Fritzette which was her US debut, before that won at Handicap at Doncaster. Dirt to turf.

Illuminate (Zoffany (IRE)): 2nd in the Chevalry Park and won the Dutchess of Cambridge. Also won at Royal Ascot.

Pricedtoperfection (Temple City): 3rd and broke maiden in lone two starts. Stakes debut.

Gliding By (Artie Schiller): Win in lone start. Stakes debut.

Mirage (Oasis Dream (IRE)): 2nd in the Surfer Girl which was her US debut after breaking her maiden at Brighton. Trainer was runner up in this year's KY Derby.

Last Waltz (Danehill Dancer (IRE)): 3rd in the Park Stakes and 4th in a listed stakes at the Curragh. Will remain in the States afterwards.

Time And Motion (Tapit): 3rd in the Miss Grillo and 4th in a maiden. Lone filly in the race who has yet to win one.

Picks

Win: Ruby Notion

Place: Illuminate

Show: Nemoalia

Dirt Mile preview

7th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 30th, 2015

STAKES. 1 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 123 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. Southern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 120 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. All Fillies and Mares allowed 3 lbs. $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in Kentucky. (04:10 PM) (11)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Red Vine 5 H L 126 Rosario Joel Clement Christophe

2 Bradester 5 H L 126 Lanerie Corey J. Kenneally Eddie

3 Liam's Map 4 C L 126 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.

4 Mr. Z 3 C L 123 Bravo Joe Lukas D. Wayne

5 Lea 6 H L 126 Lezcano Jose Mott William I.

6 Street Strategy 4 C L 126 Albarado Robby Morse Randy L.

7 War Envoy 3 C L 123 Moore Ryan L. O'Brien Aidan P.

8 Wicked Strong 4 C L 126 Velazquez John R. Jerkens James A.

9 Tapiture 4 C L 126 Santana, Jr. Ricardo Asmussen Steven M.

10 Valid 5 G L 126 Juarez Nik Vitali Marcus J.

11 War Story 3 G L 123 Parker Deshawn L. Radosevich Jeffrey A.

Red Vine (Candy Ride (ARG)): 2^nd in the Kelso and 3^rd in the Pacific Classic. Has win at Keeneland, abeit on turf.

Bradester (Lion Heart): 2^nd in the Iselin and won the Monmouth Cup. Has a win in KY (Ack Ack at Churchill last year).

Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song): Won the Woodward after being nailed at the wire in the Whitney. Spent last year quietly putting together a solid race record.

Mr. Z (Malibu Moon): 4^th in the PA Derby and 7^th in the King's Bishop. Spent the Spring chasing the top TC horses.

Lea (First Samurai): 2^nd in the Woodbine Mile and 6^th in the Whitney. 5^th in lone other stakes start at Keeneland (2013 Fayette).

Street Strategy (Street Sense): Won last two Allowance Optional Claimers. Both stakes starts have been at Oaklawn.

War Envoy (War Front): 4^th in the Celebration and won the Britannia. 12 in last year's Juvenile Turf.

Wicked Strong (Hard Spun): 2^nd in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and 3^rd in the Woodward. Hasn't always won, but has been in the top 5 in all of his races.

Tapiture (Tapit): Won the Ack Ack and 8^th in the Cornhusker. Runner up in this race last year, but not the same horse he was.

Valid (Medaglia d' Oro): Won both the Groomstick and Iselin. Has run well all season long.

War Story (Northern Afleet): 6^th in the PA Derby, 3^rd in the WV Derby. Trying to find that January/February form.

Picks

Win- Wicked Strong

Place- Bradester

 Show- Valid

Juvenile Turf Preview

6th Race - Keeneland - Friday, October 30th, 2015

STAKES. 1 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1). FOR COLTS AND GELDINGS, TWO-YEARS-OLD. Weight: 122 lbs.; $10,000 to pre-enter, $10,000 to enter, with guaranteed $1 million purse including travel awards of which 55% to the owner of the winner, 18% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth; plus travel awards to starters not based in Kentucky. In the event that this race is taken off the turf it will be contested at One Mile on the main track. (03:30 PM) (15)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Dressed In Hermes 2 G L 122 Stevens Gary L. Armstrong Janet

2 Azar 2 C L 122 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

3 Manhattan Dan 2 C L 122 Albarado Robby Contessa Gary C.

4 Shogun (IRE) 2 C L b 122 Heffernan Seamus O'Brien Aidan P.

5 Highland Sky 2 C L 122 Velasquez Cornelio H. Tagg Barclay

6 Birchwood (IRE) 2 C 122 Doyle James Fahey Richard

7 Ray's The Bar (GB) 2 C L 122 Castellano Javier Brown Chad C.

8 Airoforce 2 C L 122 Leparoux Julien R. Casse Mark E.

9 Sky Marshal 2 C L 122 Saez Luis Minshall Barbara J.

10 Conquest Daddyo 2 C L 122 Bravo Joe Casse Mark E.

11 Hollywood Don 2 C L 122 Rosario Joel Miller Peter

12 Camelot Kitten 2 C L 122 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Brown Chad C.

13 Cymric 2 C 122 Buick William T. Gosden John H. M.

14 Hit It A Bomb 2 C L 122 Moore Ryan L. O'Brien Aidan P.

15 Sheikh Of Sheikhs 2 C L 122 Dettori Lanfranco Ward Wesley A.

Dressed In Hermes (Hat Trick (JPN)): Broke maiden in the Zuma Beach. Was 3^rd and 4^th in his maiden tries.

Azar (Scat Daddy): 2^nd in the Pilgrim and won the With Anticipation. Broke his maiden in the latter.

Manhattan Dan (Big Brown): 3^rd in the Futurity and Summer. Goes from dirt to turf.

Shogun (Fastnet Rock (AUS)): 3^rd in the Futurity (Curragh) and then 6^th in the Lagardere. US debut and faced Cymric in the Lagardere.

Highland Sky (Sky Mesa): Won first time out and 4^th in the Pilgrim. Trainer has had some solid BC contenders in the past.

Birchwood (Dark Angel (IRE)): 3^rd in the National Stakes and 5^th in the Vintage Stakes. US debut and won the Superlative Stakes.

Ray's the Bar (Exceed and Excel (AUS)): Broke maiden at Ascot and then 3^rd in the Pilgrim in his US debut. Has the #1 turf trainer in the US.

Airoforce (Colonel John): Broke maiden and won the Bourbon. The latter was over the Keeneland turf course.

Sky Marshal (Sky Mesa): Won Allowance and 2^nd in the Summer Stakes. Canadian horses have always been tough in the Breeders' Cup.

Conquest Daddyo (Scat Daddy): 2^nd in the Vandal and won the Summer. Think has a big chance to pull the upset.

Hollywood Don (Tapit): 3^rd in the Front Runner and won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. Returns to turf after doing okay on dirt.

Camelot Kitten (Kitten's Joy): Broke maiden and 2^nd in the Bourbon. Same sire and owners as Stephanie's Kitten who won the female version in 2011.

Cymric (Kitten's Joy): 2^nd in the Lagardere and won the equilvlent of an allowance. Same female family as BC race winners My Flag and Storm Flag Flying.

Hit It a Bomb (War Front): Broke maiden and won the Star Appeal Stakes. The latter was on synthetic.

Sheikh of Sheikhs (Discreetly Mine): Broke maiden and 6^th in the Breeders Futurity. If he draws in will be turf debut.

Picks

Win- Airoforce

Place- Cymric

 Show- Conquest Daddyo