Enable is ready to reign
ENABLE can achieve a historic landmark by capturing tonight’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.
The undisputed queen of European racing attempts to become the first horse to win the Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup Turf – eight have tried and failed.
Frankie Dettori, unbeaten in eight races on the filly, believes that she has everything in her favour.
Unlike the past failures, ENABLE (8.56) comes to race a fresh horse, having run just twice this season.
She was not at her very best, according to her trainer John Gosden, when taking last month’s Arc but should now be at the top her game.
Dettori, who rode his first Breeders’ Cup winner on Barathea 24 years ago, can also celebrate with EXPERT EYE (7.36).
The Michael Stoutetrained colt was not disgraced on his latest outing behind Recoletos at Longchamp in September.
Gosden can also enjoy further success with ROARING LION (9.44) in the Breeders’ Cup
Classic. They do not come any tougher than this gallant winner of four Group One events this season.
Connections have expressed concerns about his busy campaign – his last race was only a fortnight ago.
But he has repeatedly astounded his trainer.
His recent success came in the QEII Stakes at Ascot and was run over a trip considered too short and on testing ground that he loathed. Aidan O’Brien has made it his mission to take this race with Mendelssohn. The colt has had four outings in the States this year to help prepare him for tonight’s contest.
But it is worth pointing out that his best efforts have come over a shorter trip.
Charlie Appleby can bring the curtain down on his excellent season by taking the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf with WILD ILLUSION (6.04).
Appleby, triumphant in this year’s Derby with Masar, could not have his filly in better shape.
She turned the form around with Magic Wand, who beat her in the Epsom Oaks, when landing the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp last month.