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Breeders’ Cup Mile Beckons for Space Blues

· Nov 04 - 5 minutes read

A quality international field contests the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Saturday, and it should be dominated by the Europeans.

Leading the overseas charge is Godolphin’s Space Blues, who has yet to run in the U.S, but comes with stellar international form.

Horses trotting Breeders' Cup Mile — Joe Scarnici/Getty Images/AFP

Local chance Mo Forza will look to see off the visitors, but it’s tough to keep the Europeans from winning major grass-track features.

Horse racing odds are available for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which has Space Blues at +250.

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Appleby Eyes Breeders’ Cup

Charlie Appleby has won the world’s biggest races and he has a runner good enough to win the riches at Del Mar.

Space Blues has been one of the best backed runners in Breeders’ Cup betting markets, which isn’t surprising given his impressive form.

The 5-year-old son of Dubawi comes off a win in the Foret Stakes at Longchamp in France, which is typically an excellent form guide. He backed up a City of York Stakes win, so he has no problem with travel.

He now has two Grade I wins under his belt, and the Europeans are always tough to beat in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, including last year’s winner Order of Australia and 2018 winner Expert Eye.

I’m so excited to finally see him in the flesh! What a gorgeous horse 💙COME ON SPACE BLUES 😊😊 #Goodwood pic.twitter.com/Q46Fs2hPkj

— Jamie (@sellers_jamie) July 27, 2021

With 10 wins on his record, it comes as no surprise to see Space Blues listed as the +250 favorite. Appleby could be happier with how he’s progressing and was thrilled with his win in France.

“Space Blues is a push-button ride and William rode him last week in an electric piece of work, the best he’s ever done, so he was a worthy favorite,” Appleby told Bloodhorse.

“He kept punching away up the straight. He travels for fun and he’s a class horse. I saw William filling him up and I knew it was only a matter of time before he pushed the button. He then put the race to bed smoothly and might have booked himself a ticket to Del Mar.”

He settles beautifully, and that’s why we’re putting him on top of our selections. Space Blues should be the horse they all have to catch.

Mo Forza is the Biggest Challenger

The withdrawal of Order of Australia has seen the odds of Mo Forza firm throughout the week.

He is on the second line of betting at +400 with the sportsbook, which is a fair price given his stellar form entering the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo has been beaten only once in eight starts, which came in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. Despite finishing well behind Zulu Alpha and Magic Wand, he has won all four starts since.

Apart from his Pegasus failure, he has yet to face any top-level Europeans, which is the big concern. He has been facing the likes of Smooth Like Strait and Hit the Road, which might not cut it at this level.

Trainer Peter Miller pleased with C Z Rocket’s breeze moments ago @delmarracing and shares with @ChristinaBlackr his expectations for Mo Forza’s work later this morning:

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— TVG (@TVG) October 31, 2021

However, all he can do is beat those horses, so it’s nothing against his record. He overcame an awkward tempo in the City of Hope Mile, which booked his ticket to Del Mar.

“The pace was quick in the early going, then it slowed down and then they picked it up again. I didn’t have any pre-race instructions for Flavien [Prat]. He knows the horse. If the pace is fast, he’ll lay back. If it’s a moderate pace, we’ll be up close. Our next stop is the Breeders’ Cup,” trainer Peter Miller said.

Bettors will have to take reasonably short odds for Mo Forza, but we’d be surprised if he wasn’t pushing Space Blues close.

We’re In Love with In Love

The 5-year-old gelding has won three consecutive races, culminating in the Grade I Keeneland Turf Mile.

In Love was too good for them on that occasion, and the Paulo Lobo-trained runner deserves his chance in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Beating the likes of Somelikeithotbrown and Tell Your Daddy isn’t easy, so the form checks out with In Love. He might not have the same scope as Space Blues, but he could be the improving runner in the field.