Breeders Cup Juvenile Filles Picks: Echo Zulu's Power

The Grade I Juvenile Fillies is a very small field with three short-prices and three longer shots.

I'm here at HR.net Towers getting plenty of sun although it is barely above freezing whereas J.N. is out at Del Mar picking the races from trackside.

We both have thoughts on the race as written out below and you can bet with any of our partners via the Odds Grid and take advantage of any of the sign-up offers from AMWager, BetAmerica, TVG and TwinSpires...

Neil's Take...

I am on the second race of Breeders Cup Juvenile Day and I’m set to take my second-favorite in a row. I know. Boring. Hear me out though as there is no reason to bet against Echo Zulu (#6).

This daughter of Gun Runner is odds-on on the Morning Line and there is no reason to be shocked by this whatsoever. Dominant victories up at Saratoga and Belmont in a pair of Grade I races over the past couple of months show us that this is a very special filly. She has stepped up seamlessly from five-and-a-half furlongs to a mile last time out.

One thing to note however is the late switch of jockey. Steve Asmussen has made the late switch from Ricardo Santana Jr. to Joel Rosario. The former had ridden the horse for all three of her victories but is in one hell of a slump and the decision has been taken to remove him from the ride. It is really tough on Santana but it doesn't adjust my thinking for this race.

Juju’s Map (#5) is her only potential competition in my eyes and her last work was phenomenal. Trainer Brad Cox has been happy with what he’s seen since her win in the Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland and if this daughter of Liam’s Map won it wouldn’t be a shock but I’m going to single up Echo Zulu.

Main: 6

Backup: 5

Order of Preference: 6-5-2-3

J.N's Take...

You might be inclined in this next portion of the LP5 to go with Bret Calhoun’s Hidden Connection #2 or Brad Cox’s Juju’s Special Girl #5. This is not the time to “get cute,” as the old saying goes, so stick to what you know.

Steve Asmussen has the best runner in this spot against what amounts to a short field of 6. Echo Zulu #6 is hands down the best power runner on this form for Friday, and she should/will win after this contest is all said and done. Calhoun has a feel-good story surrounding this filly, but I doubt she will be able to get the dream trip that she had in the Pocahontas (G3) back at Churchill Downs.

As for the “prohibitive favorite,” all Joel Rosario needs to do is let her run her race … if he let’s her do that, then it should be over pretty quickly. Time to crown a new queen at odds that will be very short (3/5?) …

Top Selection: 6

Backup: None