Yesterday’s Review

No Investments

Today’s Advice

DOMAIN EXPANSION (8f 110y Gd1) – Breeder’s Cup 2026 begins from a betting perspective for this blog in Race 7 on the dirt at Keeneland (7.35) with short price favourites Emphatic and Miss Monica going head to head over the extended mile. The former looks the “figure” horse having recorded a race leading (112) timefigure last time out over course and distance when making all. She looked to have enjoyed a steady enough pace early on, and it remains to be seen if the race will set up the same today from stall 10. The latter won nicely tracking the pace over 7f at Del Mar last time out, and the step up to the mile should be fine judging by the record of her her grand dam Cherokee Queen. I awarded her a (108) timefigure for that performance, and there looked to be more to come, but I would have to let her win at the prices on offer.

The selection looked to represent a bit of value at the odds on offer having won impressively enough last time out. She raced prominently last time out, in a Grade 2 contest over the extended mile at Santa Anita, before making a sweeping move on the outside to come home 7 lengths clear. With a decent draw in stall 2, and regular pilot Adrian Escobedo on board, she looks to represent a solid betting proposition for tonight’s contest.

COACH POPE (8f 110y Gd1) – The (8.55) Keeneland has cut up a bit with two non-runners so far, leaving just 6 contestants going to post at the time of writing. The short price favourite Hughes has been unbeaten in four races so far, and took the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in impressive style by 6 lengths from Net Par. However, the selection was even more impressive when breaking his maiden tag at Churchill Downs over the mile back in September. Tracking the pace from his inside draw the Kenny McPeek trained juvenile cruised into the lead over two furlongs from home before quickening clear. The (113) timefigure backed up the visual impression, and a reproduction of that performance should see him shake up the favourite.

I have to say, I did not like the ride last time out over course and distance from Jose Ortiz. It looked like the combination did way too much too soon when getting involved with QB Rocket for the lead. The front-running pair simply set the race up for eventual winner American History. I will be hoping that the selection can take a lead this time, and if ridden with a bit more restraint he can return to his previous best.

SALE SHARK (8f Gd1) – Folsom Blues has looked a top juvenile for connections this season, and lost nothing in defeat over 7f last time out at Longchamp. He only found the impressive Amusingly a length and a quarter too strong in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. The step up to the mile looks achievable on breeding, but at the prices on offer I went looking for an alternative for tonight’s (9.35) Keeneland.

The selection looks a fascinating contender given that he has already recorded a top timefigure over the minimum trip behind Final Objective at Doncaster last time out. I have to say he looked a disappointing sort early on in the season following a promising victory on debut at Hamilton. However, a deserved victory over Adonius at Doncaster over five furlongs indicated that connections have him performing at a new level. A (107) timefigure was recorded when getting the better of the Rebecca Menzies runner, and he bettered that last time out when putting up a (112) timefigure in a Group 2 contest when finishing in sixth place despite not getting the clearest of runs.

It looks like his chance has been totally disregarded by the betting market, despite the fact that the step up in trip looks a positive move judging by his breeding. It is interesting that trainer Hugo Palmer has stated that from a pedigree point of view the two-year-old colt has no business running over the minimum trip. Interestingly, the grand dam Bayberry was a 9.5f winner in France. Despite a lack of form at tonight’s distance, at the prices on offer, I was willing to give him a sporting chance. The booking of Oisin Murphy is another positive, and it would be no surprise if he could outrun his odds for tonight’s contest.

1pt e/way Domain Expansion (9/2 Paddy Power, Skybet, 4/1 Bet365 4 places) 7.35 Keeneland

1pt win Coach Pope (11/2 Willam Hill, 5/1 Ladbrokes, Coral) 8.55 Keenland

0.5pt e/way Sale Shark (50/1 Betvictor, Boylesports, 40/1 Wlliam Hill 4 places) 9.35 Keeneland