Breeders’ Cup Day One tips: Expert picks for every Friday race at Del Mar

Two days of high-end equine entertainment come from the California coastline this weekend as Del Mar Racecourse hosts the Breeders' Cup 2021. 

There's lots of action to look forward to across Friday and Saturday night the Golden State and our tipster has a look ahead towards Friday's 10-race marathon that runs from 6.55pm-12.30am.

Horse racing predictions – Breeders’ Cup Day One, Friday 5 November

Enda McElhinney has recommendations for all 10 races on Friday. You can read the analysis behind his selections below.

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6.55 - Race 1 - Allowance Optional Claiming (6f)

The name of Bob Baffert will be to the fore across this meeting and he might well kick-start proceedings with a winner. TRIPLE TAP has plenty of speed in his pedigree and justified short odds impressively on this debut at Santa Anita back in March. He should belatedly build on that now.

Selection: Triple Tap @ 9/4 with BoyleSports

7.25 - Race 2 - Qatar Golden Mile Stakes (1m)

ASTRONOMER was well on top at the line when he won a maiden over this trip last month for trainer Simon Callaghan. He races in familiar silks for UK/Irish punters representing the Coolmore connections. He made all and didn't stop in the home stretch and, with Ryan Moore on board now, looks a solid player.

Selection: Astronomer @ 10/1 with BoyleSports

7.55 - Race 3 - Golden State Juvenile Fillies' Stakes (7f)

At The Spa didn't take the preliminaries too well last time and will need a better temperament to get back on track. Big Novel is right there on form but VIVACIOUS VANESSA was mightily impressive on her debut at Santa Anita last month. She cut through the field in a matter of strides and could be very smart indeed. 

Selection: Vivacious Vanessa @ 6/1 with BoyleSports

8.30 - Race 4 - Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (5f)

Three of Superstition's four career wins have come at Del Mar and she has yet to be beaten around here but HEAR MY PRAYER is another with course-and-distance-winning form. The filly left some talented rivals in her wake when scoring here in August on first start for Vladimir Cerin. She has won 5-9 in her protracted career to date and is a major force on that form. 

Selection: Hear My Prayer @ 7/2 with BoyleSports

9.05 - Race 5 - Golden State Juvenile Stakes (7f)

A quality field includes solid form lines via Joker Boy, I Know Cash Flow and Billy's Bet, but the Walter Solis-trained colt FINNEUS might have their measure today. He was second in the Grade 1 Futurity Stakes over course and distance  in September and he drops in class today with the mercurial Joel Rosario on board for the first time.

Selection: Finneus @ 5/1 with BoyleSports

9.50 - Race 6 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 2, 5f)

Into Breeders' Cup proper action from here on in and UK raiders Armor and Go Bears Go are among the leading contenders, alongside unbeaten American duo Averly Jane and One Timer in a cracking Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Wesley Ward's record with a precocious two-year-old filly speaks for itself and TWILIGHT GLEAMING could be the answer. Just denied in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in June, she won a Listed race in France next start and comes back to the US with big claims.

Selection: Twilight Gleaming @ 9/2 with BoyleSports

10.30 - Race 7 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1, 1m ½f)

Bret Calhoun's filly HIDDEN CONNECTION easily landed a Grade 3 success at Churchill Downs on her second start and has lots of scope for further improvement. She joins Steve Asmussen's Echo Zulu in seeking to maintain a perfect record and she may well have the tools to do just that.

Selection: Hidden Connection @ 3/1 with BoyleSports

11.10 - Race 8 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 1, 1m)

Rockfel winner Hello You is the leading British-trained challenger but the home team is strong in this contest, which looks very open on paper. TURNERLOOSE had every opportunity to fold in the home stretch at Keeneland in the Jessamine Stakes last time when conceding weight to the pair that swamped her late. She stuck to the challenge in determined fashion and can give another good account now at much more favourable odds.

Selection: Turnerloose @ 16/1 with BoyleSports

11.50 - Race 9 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1, 1m ½f)

Unbeaten Champagne Stakes scorer Jack Christopher looks a major threat to all concerned for Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz and he's well drawn to boot. He sets the standard but perhaps Arrogate colt JASPER GREAT - drawn just inside him in stall two - can strike a blow for Japan after a winning start last month at Hanshin. He's got some each-way appeal at a big price.

Selection: Jasper Great @ 16/1 with BoyleSports

12.30am - Race 10 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1, 1m)

Hugo Palmer's Dubawi Legend brings in excellent form, having finished second in the Dewhurst at Newmarket last time, but he's drawn very wide and that could be detrimental. Godolphin duo Modern Games and Albahr have the potential to go well, as does Tiz The Bomb for US handler Kenny McPeek. 

Kitten's Joy colt PORTFOLIO COMPANY has proven effective on turf/dirt in three runs and was second in a Grade 2 contest at Belmont last time. He's the sort to improve again and be competitive in this tough finale.

Selection: Portfolio Company @ 10/1 with BoyleSports

Telegraph Betting hosts racecards for every meeting every day and they include horse racing tips for each and every race. 

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