Lucky 15 Tips: Irresistible Breeders’ Cup heats from Del Mar on Friday

How about a fabulous, slightly bold initiative on Friday, regarding our Lucky 15 Tips? Over in California, at Del Mar, there's the small matter of the Breeders' Cup kicking off, and as always there's lots of European interest. 

Aidan O'Brien invariably mounts a powerful challenge, son Joseph is chancing his arm too, and there's a heady mix of super-talented championship contenders assembled to do battle. Let's head over then to Jimmy Durante Boulevard, and the former Hollywood playground of the likes of Bing Crosby; a track where the legendary Seabiscuit is listed among the great horses to have won there. Hard by the Pacific Ocean, on The Fairgrounds site - Del Mar. 

Fast Racing Results

Horse Racing Odds

21:45 - Schwarzenegger @ 7/1

Trainer Wes Ward is a potent force whether it's at home in the States or plundering big prizes at Royal Ascot - and he's got one of America's all-time greats doing the pushing on this one.

Johnny V - John Velazquez - the only man to ride Schwarzenegger thus far in the two-year old colt's fledgling career. Two runs have yielded a close second on debut at Saratoga, and then a Listed win at Keeneland, both over 5.5f, and on firm ground, too.

This is at the minimum 5f but the fact he obviously gets a touch further is a great comfort in such a red-hot race. He broke well from the gate on both occasions and that is going to be crucial tonight, especially on the advertised firm terrain.

If anything makes up a ton of ground I'll be very surprised, and though our selection is undoubtedly poorly drawn in the 11 box, main rival True Love (O'Brien) isn't much better off in stall nine.

He's full of promise and has any amount of improvement in him after just two spins. Crack out, try and get to the front, make all even. Ward has a magic touch with sprinters; so many great examples (how about Lady Aurelia).

What a race we have in prospect. Blink and you'll definitely miss it.

22:25 - Tommy Joe @ 9/2

More two-year-olds, and a race to be run over 8.5f for fillies only.

The selection is Tommy Joe, and we happen to have drawn Johnny V once again. Trainer-wise we're also very much in Hall Of Fame territory with Todd Pletcher, and his unbeaten States-bred filly who's three-from-three.

She was awarded the race last time at Keenland at this trip (four weeks ago) after meeting with interference, but in two previous starts she'd hardly come off the bridle to score at Saratoga, on both occasions.

Being drawn five of nine isn't too shabby, and his sire Into Mischief won at just over a mile at the highest level.

23:05 - Precise @ 11/10

This fabulous two-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner is of course trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O'Brien. Four wins from five. Latest two successes both at G1. She's super-talented. She's Precise.

Christophe Soumillon continues to deputise for the injured Ryan Moore and was on board last time at HQ when she took the Fillies' Mile very comfortably (3.25l) in a career-best from that good yardstick Venetian Lace.

One mile is the trip here and though she's drawn out in the car park (13 of 13) I think she's got a bit in hand over these. Needs a bit of luck in running (that will be a common theme all weekend), but if the Gods are benignly disposed this could be an imperious march to glory.

00.25 - Outfielder @ 7/1

Another of Aidan's will doubtless be a warm order for this, Gstaad - but is another drawn on the beach (14 of 14), and this Starspangledbanner colt might not be able to overcome it.

If that's the case (and who knows, of course), a potential beneficiary might be Wes Ward's States-bred colt Outfielder. This is an Amo Racing-owned entry, and retained jockey David Egan has the riding assignment, fresh from committing to extending his association with connections for a further period.

Two wins from three starts, and when last seen at Keeneland four weeks ago was a very comfortable winner of an allowance contest at 6f. The wraps are certainly off now, tackling G1 and a mile for the very first time.

His sire was all speed, being a Breeders' Cup sprint winner (6f), but the dam was by an outstanding 1m-10f operator called Medaglia d'Oro, who was trained by a certain Bobby Frankel - so good they named a rather fetching racehorse after him.

This is an example of a Lucky 15. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can), then go for it!

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race-time. As a guide, a £0.50p win Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £815 for your total £7.50 stake.

Fred, 'The Bonus King,' invented the 'Lucky' series of bets and their bonuses. My colleague Adam has set out all you need to know with this handy guide - take a look by clicking here.

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.