The Post continues its profiles of each of the eight Breeders’ Cup races to be run Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Countdown spotlights potential nice-price winners as handicapped by reporter Ed Fountaine and thoroughbred racing columnist Ray Kerrison. Today, we focus on the Filly & Mare Turf, followed by the Sprint, Mile, Distaff, Turf and the Classic. Good luck.
RACE 3 – Filly & Mare Turf
Three-year-olds & up fillies and mares. Purse: $2 million. Distance: Mile-and-three-eighths on turf. Post time: 1:55 p.m. Bets: WPS, Ex, Tri, Super, Pick 3, Pick 6.
ANALYSIS: This has been the most formful Breeders’ Cup race; even the two longshot winners, Starine and Intercontinental, were top-class mares coming off solid preps.
Ouija Board, a champion in Europe and the U.S., won this race two years ago and was second last year, both times as the favorite. Now 5 years old, she is better than ever, beating the boys in Group 1 events overseas.
America’s top female grass runners are the 3-year-old Wait a While and the 6-year-old Film Maker. Wait a While is unbeaten in four starts on grass, winning them all by 4+ lengths. Film Maker, who finished right behind Ouija Board in the last two runnings, has been sharp in all three starts this year while pointing for this race.
Gorella would be a top contender but is likely to opt for the BC Mile.
LIVE LONGSHOTS: Honey Ryder beat Film Maker a nose last out in the Flower Bowl, has won 9 of her last 12, but is likely to go off the longest price she’s been in a long time. The French fillies Germance, fourth in her lone U.S. start, and Satwa Queen, could surprise if they get first-time Lasix.
THE BET: Hard to see Ouija Board getting beat if she runs her race. Key her in exotics with Film Maker, Wait a While, Honey Ryder, Germance and Satwa Queen. Save to win with any of those over 15-1.
TOMORROW: Ray Kerrison on the Sprint.
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Filly & Mare Turf field
HORSE TRAINER ODDS
Ouija Board E. Dunlop 9-5
Wait a While T. Pletcher 5-2
Gorella P. Biancone 4-1
Honey Ryder T. Pletcher 15-1
Film Maker H. G. Motion 15-1
Satwa Queen J. de Roualle 15-1
Asi Siempre P. Biancone 20-1
Germance J. Rouget 20-1
Mauralakana P. Biancone 20-1
My Typhoon W. Mott 20-1
Dancing Edie C. Dollase 30-1
Quiet Royal T. Pletcher 30-1
