Breeders Cup preview: Beldame, Flower Bowl, Vosburgh, Turf Classic, JC Gold Cup

Belmont Park had to cancel racing on Friday due to an abundance of rain, so Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup prep races will be run on a wet track and soft turf.

Grade 1 Beldame – Nine furlongs

Lemon Drop Mom has improved significantly in her last four outings, and she owns strong wet track breeding. She owns fine early/pressing speed and appears poised for a graded breakthrough.

Ginger Punch has won four straight and won last year’s BC Distaff in the slop. She was only a nose in front of Lemon Drop Mom last time, and I have added a replay of the Personal Ensign from the Spa, courtesy of YouTube.

Grade 1 Flower Bowl – Ten furlongs (Turf)

Mauralakana has won four straight and did win a grade three on yielding ground.

Communique was 2nd to Mauralakana on firm ground in the Beverly D, and she was a smart soft turf winner before that. She’s clearly on the upswing.

Dynaforce handled soft turf overseas, but note that she is 0-3 since arriving in the US, and she was very disappointing last time.

Grade 1 Vosburgh – Six furlongs

Fabulous Strike owns a 119 wet track BSF, and he is freakishly fast.

Lucky Island lost the Forego at the start, and he showed something with a nice move into the turn. He won four straight before that, including Tom Fool in the mud.

Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – Twelve furlongs (turf)

Strike A Deal has fired four times on yielding ground, and he has come close numerous times in the graded ranks.

Proudinsky gave Big Brown fits two weeks ago. He moves up with some give in the ground. Appears best at 9f and wheels back quickly.

Grand Couturier seems better on firm ground.

Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup – Ten furlongs

I posted a blog on this race Thursday night…Curlin takes on 8 rivals and the elements in Gold Cup.