Breeders' Cup tips

By Rishi Persad BBC TV racing pundit

2005 Breeders' Cup Highlights, Sunday, BBC Two, 1515 GMT Meeting preview

This Saturday the finest Flat horses on the planet will line up for the equestrian world's Olympic Games.

Ascot has the royalty, Longchamp the elegance, but few events can match the Breeders' Cup for the sheer quality of horses on show.

It's also a great chance for the European trainers to get one over their American cousins - and believe me, the rivalry is intense.

Last year the two British entries both won their races - Ouija Board in the Filly & Mare and Wilko in the Juvenile, but we could see that improved upon this year at Belmont Park with a formidable European entry.

It would have been even stronger but for the withdrawal of Derby winner Motivator and Luca Cumani's Alkaased.

JUVENILE FILLIES 1820 BST

Tip: Adieu

Has been beaten only once when she was arguably not at her best.

Winner of each of her other four starts. Two of those victories came at Belmont Park, including one of the most important trials for two-year-old fillies, the Frizette Stakes.

Adieu could get the meeting off to a great start for Todd Pletcher and John Velasquez.

JUVENILE 1855

Tip: Stevie Wonderboy

Europe's first runners of the evening appear here, headed by Aidan O'Brien's Ivan Denisovich and John Gosden's Leo.

However, they are likely to find the fast-improving Stevie Wonderboy too good.

He looked like most impressive when running away with the Del Mar Futurity on his latest start.

FILLY AND MARE 1935

Tip: Ouija Board

Brilliant winner of this race last year, she has arrived in New York in tip-top form despite being plagued by injury all season.

She looked back to her best when winning at Newmarket last month and will have the assistance of American ace Jerry Bailey.

SPRINT 2010

Tip: Lost in the Fog

This stunning speedster arrives at the Breeders' Cup unbeaten after six career starts.

On each occasion he has blazed a trail from the start and left his rivals toiling.

He's got more improvement to come and this is a chance to show the world that he may just be the quickest horse on the planet.

MILE 2045

Tip: Valixir

France have an outstanding record in this race with winners including Last Tycoon, Miesque, Domedriver and Six Perfections.

Andre Fabre can add to their success with Valixir who proved himself one of the best milers in Europe when he won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

A reproduction of that effort may be good enough.

DISTAFF 2120

Tip: Stellar Jayne

Godolphin and Frankie Dettori have the chance to end the year on a high with Stellar Jayne, who has won both her starts this season.

She was particularly impressive when winning the Ruffian Handicap and will be fresher than most of her rivals on Saturday.

TURF 2155

Tip: Azamour

Proved himself the best older middle-distance horse in Europe when winning the King George at Newbury in July.

Has had one or two problems since, but is in the care of a master trainer in Irishman John Oxx.

Soft ground is a concern, but this horse's huge heart may be enough to earn him victory.

CLASSIC 2235

Tip: Oratorio

The American team for their defence of the richest race of the evening is short of full strength with no Ghostzapper or Afleet Alex.

Europe, on the other hand, have two big chances with Starcraft (Australian owned) and Oratorio.

With the exception of Hurricane Run, it can be argued that Oratorio is the best three-year-old colt in Europe and the likelihood of a strong pace will leave only the bravest horses fighting out the finish.

There are few with the courage of Aidan O'Brien's colt.