City Of Troy weak in the market after Breeders’ Cup Classic draw as bookies take on Aidan O’Brien superstar

1 month ago 11

CITY OF TROY’s Breeder’s Cup Classic odds have eased significantly after he was drawn in a stall no horse has won from for 26 years.

Aidan O’Brien’s monster has gone to 15-8 from 6-4 after it was announced he would be jumping off from stall three, but he still remains the favourite for the $6 million race.

a jockey on a horse with the number 3 on the back

City Of Troy impressed in his gallop at Southwell on similar surface[/caption]

His biggest opposition, Fierceness, trained by American Todd Pletcher who won the race with Vino Rosso in 2019, has shortened to 7-2 from 9-2 after being drawn in stall nine.

But all is not lost, because while this exact gate has provided little luck historically, inside stalls have proved an advantage in recent runnings of the Del Mar showpiece.

Only last year White Abarrio won from next door in stall two, and Flightline struck gold from stall four in 2021 as did Knicks Go in 2020 – the last time the big-un took place at Del Mar.

David Stevens, a spokesperson for Coral, said: “Although stall three is generally regarded as a positive, if City Of Troy is slowly away, he could find himself facing some traffic problems on the inside.

“We’ve eased his odds for Saturday’s race, and although he is still a clear favourite for Classic glory, the current betting is perhaps more reflective of the task he faces at Del Mar.”

The British hopes have not fared too well with the bookies elsewhere either.

Michael Appleby’s Big Evs and Archie Watson’s Bradsell in the Turf Sprint were amoung the drifters.

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Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill, said: “The Breeders’ Cup has been a happy hunting ground for European contenders in recent years, but things might be a little more difficult this weekend for some.

“Bradsell has been drawn widest of all in 12 for the Turf Sprint and as a result he’s drifted to 11-2 from 7-2, with fellow contender Big Evs drawn only one better in 11, himself now a 14-1 shot from 10-1.”

However, Emily Upjohn, one of the most intriguing entries of the meeting after it was revealed by The Sun that Frankie Dettori would be pairing up with his former boss John Gosden, has got lucky.

The last time this mare partnered the effervescent jockey was last year when they stormed to victory in the King George.

And judging by the odds the bookies’ reckon her swansong might yield similar results, especially as she has been drawn in stall two, the same gate Enable won the race from in 2018.

Stevens said: “Emily Upjohn has been drawn well in stall two, and under Frankie Dettori, it would be no surprise to see the mare sent off favourite as the pair bid to emulate Enable’s 2018 Turf success.”