Breeders’ Cup Turf 2021: Odds and analysis

The $4 million, Breeders’ Cup Turfdrew a full field of 14 international turf starts that will go the 1 1/2-mile distance at Del Mar on Saturday.

The field is evenly divided between seven European-based and seven American-based runners, although 10 of the horses are listed as European-breds and have run in races around the world.

European runners won five of the last six runnings of the Turf, with Bricks and Mortar the winner in 2019 for Chad Brown. Since 2010, Bricks and Mortar and Enable were the only post-time favorites to win this race.

Here is a full-field analysis for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, with the official track morning-line odds. Slated as race 11 out of 12, the post time is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EDT.

1.Rockemperor (IRE) Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)/ Javier Castellano

2.UnitedGiant’s CausewayRichard Mandella / John Velazquez

3.Domestic Spending (GB) Kingman (GB)Chad Brown / Flavien Prat

4.AstronautQuality RoadJohn Shirreffs / Victor Espinoza

5.Tribhuvan (FR) Toronado (IRE)Chad Brown / Jose Ortiz

6.AcclimateAcclimationPhilip D’Amato / Ricardo Gonzalez

7.Walton Street (GB) Cape Cross (IRE)Charlie Appleby / James Doyle

8.Broome (IRE) Australia (GB)Aidan O’Brien / Frankie Dettori
9.Sisfahan (FR) Isfahan (GER)Henk Grewe / Cristian DeMuro

10.Yibir (GB) Dubawi (IRE)Charlie Appleby / William Buick

11.GufoDeclaration of WarChristophe Clement / Joel Rosario
12.Teona (IRE) Sea The Stars (IRE)Roger Varian / David Egan

13.Tarnawa (IRE) ShamardalDermot Weld / Colin Keane

14.Japan (GB) Galileo (IRE)Aidan O’Brien / Ryan Moore

ALSO ELIGIBLE:

15. Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) (15-1 – Galileo (IRE) – Aidan O’Brien / TBD– 9: 4-0-1 - $768,454)
16.Channel MakerEnglish ChannelBill Mott / TBDGalileo (IRE)Aidan O’Brien / TBDQuality RoadMichael McCarthy / TBD

Summary: The 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf has perfect mix of outstanding European and American grass stars. Even more interesting is that this race figures to be contentious from the start, with several horses that want to race on the lead. The strong early pace should set the table for the many late runners in the field.

Handicappers looking to beat the Europeans in the Turf point to the firm going and the tighter turns of the short-distanced grass course at Del Mar. The recent record in the Turf says that the Europeans who come to the Breeders’ Cup can handle the American setup.

Domestic Spending is the U.S.-based runner with a chance to win the Turf, but he will have to beat the Euros of choice – Tarnawa, Walton Street, and Yibir.