BC TURF 1-1/2 Saturday R11

[stark]

1 Talismanic (GB) 4/C M Barzalona 126 A Fabre 15/1
2 Bullards Alley (KY) 5/G L J Castellano 126 T Glyshaw 15/1
3 Highland Reel (IRE) 5/H L R L Moore 126 A P O'Brien 5/1
4 Decorated Knight (GB) 5/H A Atzeni 126 R J Charlton 15/1
5 Ulysses (IRE) 4/C L Dettori 126 S R Stoute 7/2
6 Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 3/C L1 W Lordan 122 A P O'Brien 20/1
7 Itsinthepost (FR) 5/G L T Baze 126 J Mullins 15/1
8 Bigger Picture (KY) 6/G L J R Velazquez 126 M J Maker 15/1
9 Seventh Heaven (IRE) 4/F L S Heffernan 123 A P O'Brien 20/1
10 Fanciful Angel (IRE) 5/G L I Ortiz, Jr. 126 C C Brown 12/1
11 Hunt (IRE) 5/G L F Prat 126 P D'Amato 15/1
12 Beach Patrol (KY) 4/C L J Rosario 126 C C Brown 4/1
13 Sadler's Joy (KY) 4/C L J R Leparoux 126 T Albertrani 12/1
14 Oscar Performance (KY) 3/R J L Ortiz 122 B A Lynch 10/1

[Treve]

Tough draw for Oscar Performance, I'm kinda gutted for him.

[stark]

1 Talismanic Andre Fabre Consistent in France for a barn that knows how to win Breeders' Cup races; seems a cut below, however 20-1
2 Bullards Alley Tim Glyshaw Ran away with the Canadian International and got a massive Beyer, but on a swampy course at 42-1 20-1
3 Highland Reel Aidan O'Brien Stole this race last year when he walked on the lead early; might rebound on iffy efforts in his last two 5-1
4 Decorated Knight Roger Charlton Multiple Group 1 winner is an unknown at 12 furlongs, but this should be a better fit for him than the Mile 12-1
5 Ulysses Michael Stoute He's better this year than last year, when he finished fourth in this race against a deeper overall field 3-1
6 Cliffs of Moher Aidan O'Brien Epsom Derby runner-up has found the going much more difficult against older horses; still intriguing 15-1
7 Itsinthepost Jeff Mullins Arguably California's best turf male this year, but must raise his game to be competitive with these 15-1
8 Bigger Picture Mike Maker Been a great claim and his form is good; still, he got a dream setup when he won the United Nations 20-1
9 Seventh Heaven Aidan O'Brien Aside from a romping win three starts back over questionable company, she was better last year at 3 20-1
10 Fanciful Angel Chad Brown Finished second to Beach Patrol in the Joe Hirsch and the Arlington Million in his first two U.S. outings 12-1
11 Hunt Phil D'Amato Won two Grade 2 stakes on the Dmr course over the summer, but was fortunate to win the second one 20-1
12 Beach Patrol Chad Brown His Joe Hirsch Turf Classic was the best effort by a U.S. turf male so far this year in a legitimately run race 9-2
13 Sadler's Joy Tom Albertrani Won the Sword Dancer two starts back, and maybe he'll benefit from a tighter-turned turf course 15-1
14 Oscar Performance Brian Lynch Certainly our most accomplished 3yo turfer this year, but was found wanting against elders in the Hirsch 12-1
Odds and comments by Mike Watchmaker @ DRF

[Treve]

Highland Reel is a stunning animal. I think he's sitting on a big one but it's hard to go against Ulysses stellar run in the Arc. Both have good post positions though.

[Izvestia]

Beach Patrol
Talismanic
Sadler's Joy

[BaroqueAgain1]

Kurt on TVG just announced that Ulysses has been scratched from the race, "on advice of the track veterinarian."

[Sparrow Castle]

This bums me out. He was my pick.

Jeremy Balan‏Verified account @BH_JBalan
Flaxman Holdings racing manager Alan Cooper says Ulysses came out of his work yesterday with "heat in his fetlock."

Jeremy Balan‏Verified account @BH_JBalan
Following Following @BH_JBalan
Breeders' Cup has reported Ulysses has been scratched from the Turf. He was the 7-2 favorite.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Phooey. I was looking forward to seeing Highland Reel throw down with Ulysses...again. This takes a little zing out of the race.

[Treve]

On the other hand might leave more room for a long shot win. After the way Highland Reel stole the race last year and now with Ulysses out he is going to have a giant bull's eye on his back...

[Matt Converse]

The top two Euro's look tough but it seems quite often one of the "other Euro's" sneaks in. But which one? Talismanic is consistent but in Gr. 2 & 3's. Decorated Knight maybe if he likes this course better than the top two do, he has the class. Seventh Heaven looked good until the May layoff then up the track since. Fanciful Angel showed less form than all three of them and has been very competitive in two starts here in Grade 1's under Chad Brown. The US horses might have it tough. And how do you separate Beach Patrol, Sadler's Joy and Bigger Picture?

[tachyon]

I believe in Beach Patrol!!

[Starine]

I'm hoping Talismanic will step up here. He wouldn't be the the first second-string European to step up at the BC.

[tachyon]

I'm hoping Talismanic will step up here. He wouldn't be the the first second-string European to step up at the BC.

Talismanic did it!!
Beach Patrol seocnd.

[Starine]

14-1 was a gift on this horse. I realize he's no Highland Reel but I think he warranted more respect.

[Treve]

14-1 was a gift on this horse. I realize he's no Highland Reel but I think he warranted more respect.

I think he just flew under the radar. And those who knew him and paid attention were handsomely rewarded indeed

[Starine]

14-1 was a gift on this horse. I realize he's no Highland Reel but I think he warranted more respect.

I think he just flew under the radar. And those who knew him and paid attention were handsomely rewarded indeed

He does love that firm turf. And his young rider gave him such a smart, beautiful ride.

[Izvestia]

Loved his bling! Highland Reel ruined my tri.

[Treve]

Loved his bling! Highland Reel ruined my tri.

I had the tri in reverse... Highland Reel on the top and Talismanic on the bottom, I wanted to pull my hair out but at least I'd also played straight bets on both HR and Talismanic so that saved me but god is that frustrating when it happens.