Breeders' Cup In-Play Tips Day 2: Be Wise and back Dan on day two

The Breeders' Cup saves the best until last this Saturday and I'm hoping to do the same given that my main fancies are Wise Dan in the Mile and Mucho Macho Man in the Classic.

If ever there was a race that is straightforward to assess tactically it's the Mile.

Put simply, the American trailblazer Obviously is set to blaze through the first half mile in a little over 45 seconds and six furlongs in under 69.

That might well suit the European raiders Excelebration and Moonlight Cloud, but it might also set the stage for Wise Dan to put on an American show of strength and lay down a persuasive marker for Horse of the Year honours.

Timeform rate this tremendously handsome chestnut the best horse in the US based on his dominant turf wins at Saratoga, Woodbine and Keeneland and those successes have been gained while giving the impression that there is still more to come.

His trainer Charles Lopresti says he doesn't Wise Dan to be "the sacrificial lamb" who chases Obviously only to set the race up for late swoopers.

However, Wise Dan does look the most likely candidate to strike for home first among the big three.

And, based on the way he has been glowing with health in the mornings at Santa Anita this week, it will take an extremely good horse to get past him if he does hit the front with a furlong to go.

Macho to be the Man if the Dude falters again in the Classic

The BC Classic is one of the oddest championship races I've ever had the pleasure to assess for the simple reason that so many of America's elite aren't running in it.

I'll Have Another, Bodemeiester, Paynter and Union Rags have all retired hurt, while the decision to target Wise Dan and Royal Delta at other options leaves the admirable Game On Dude as Betfair's clear favourite.

Bob Baffert's gelding is a perfect five from five at Santa Anita and is extremely dangerous if allowed smooth sailing on the speed, but Little Mike looks certain to harry him here and we could be in for a repeat of last year's Classic in which he was worn down inside the last.

Any one of five or six could capitalise if the Dude does falter, but I backed Mucho Macho Man for this weeks ago and hopes remain high that he has what it takes to play a major role.

American television will pull on the heartstrings mercilessly if this colt does win for the simple reason that his trainer Kathy Ritvo is a heart transplant survivor.

But Mucho Macho Man has a great deal more than the sentiment angle going for him. A giant colt who has taken time to fill into his massive frame, he is joint second top behind Game On Dude on Timeform figures after a light campaign highlighted by a commanding Grade 2 success at Belmont and a luckless second in To Honor And Serve's Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

I'm convinced that Mucho Macho Man was the best horse in that race as he was hemmed on the inside while travelling powerfully on the home bend then checked as the winner edged across him for much of the straight.

Mike Smith should have no problem stalking a true pace from a wider draw this time and this Macho Man can flex his muscles and trade a great deal shorter than the current 8.415/2 and bigger if the Dude can't abide being harried when things get really tough close home again.

Amazombie well worth another shot at Sprint success

The Sprint is always one of the great spectacles of the Breeders' Cup and the answer to this year's renewal might well lie in unravelling the evidence of the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (formerly the Ancient Title Stakes) run over course and distance last month.

Coil got the better of fellow Baffert representative Capital Account with Jimmy Creed and Amazombie filling the frame that day but that doesn't tell the whole story.

Amazombie was giving the trio who beat him at least 6lb and left the strong impression he was better than the bare result suggests, helping chase a severe pace on his return from a break and paying the price late.

Expect a more patient ride this time. And expect a very bold effort from a horse who won this very race last year and has done more than enough to suggest he's at least as good this time around.

George can be the groover from Vancouver in Juvenile Turf

Last but not least on BC Saturday, a look at the Juvenile Turf.

Timeform followers will be aware that Dundonnell has a higher mark than any of the three European raiders who have won this in the past.

Roger Charlton's colt has taken the eye constantly in exercise this week and has the tactical speed to stalk the pace and play a major role from a good draw, but George Vancouver makes just as much appeal from a trading viewpoint.

Aidan O'Brien is adamant that a sodden European summer has been against this colt and feels fast Californian turf could see him produce a career best.

And if he's right on that we have a live longshot on our hands.

George Vancouver isn't far behind the best European juveniles based on his Prix Morny second and his Dewhurst third. He's bred to relish a mile and O'Brien and Ryan Moore know exactly what's needed here having won this with Wrote twelve months ago.

BC Saturday recommendations

Back George Vancouver in the Juvenile Turf and lay off at 3.02/1 in running

Back Amazombie in the Sprint and lay off at 2.56/4 in running

Back Wise Dan in the Mile and lay off at 1.68/13 in running

Back Mucho Man in the Classic and lay off at 3.02/1 in running