Tango out to lead them a merry dance in Breeders' Cup opener

William Dobbie Published: 30 Oct 26 09:28

Three fillies are set to have big says in Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint Turf.

This contest has gone the way of the Europeans in three of the last four years, but the home team got back on the board courtesy of Cy Fair in 2025.

George Weaver's speedster defeated Aidan O'Brien's Brussels and the James Owen-trained Aspect Island at Del Mar.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

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The European contingent looks fairly strong as they look to regain their crown.

Libertango looks the outstanding candidate, arriving here off the back of a fantastic season that has seen her enter the winner's enclosure no less than three times. She got the better of superstar filly Sun Goddess at Royal Ascot earlier in the summer, but did get swept aside by the very same rival in the Cheveley Park Stakes last time out. She's been handed a decent draw in three, hinging on her getting away from the stalls pretty sharply.

Andrew Balding saddles Moonrise in an attempt to add another top-level win to his CV this year. Oisin Murphy gets back on board -- the Irishman is three from three on the filly -- and will jump from stall one. She looks to have the early speed to be competitive here and I'd be surprised if she wasn't right on the pace from the get go.

The Amo operation always manage to grab a headline or two and Force Noir is hoping to give them a first victory at the Breeders' Cup. By their very own Persian Force, his performance in the Middle Park may have come as a shock on the day, however, he was value for his runner-up finish behind Orthodox.

Team captain for the US, on paper at least, is Miguel Clement's filly Brickyard Belle. She will jump in four, next door to Libertango, and will be desperate to get out ahead of her rival. Winner of her two starts so far, she is clearly very talented, but she has shown a tendency to be a little sluggish in her races - although that could be down to inexperience.