The Fugue and Dank fancied to land Breeders’ Cup double for Europe

Bookmakers are bracing themselves for a possible double hit this weekend when The Fugue and Dank go for Breeders’ Cup glory at Santa Anita. Both have been performing at the top of their game this season and are expected to be sent off strong favourite for their respective races.

Dank is expected to get the ball rolling for the Europeans in the Filly and Mare Turf. Sir Michael Stoute’s four-year-old put up a career-best effort when winning the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington in August.

That victory put the Breeders’ Cup firmly on the agenda and she has been well backed in the ante-post market. Her main rival could be the French-trained Romantica who is better than she showed when only seventh behind Treve in the Prix Vermeille.

The Fugue has always been regarded as being more at home over a mile and a quarter but she finally dispelled any fears over her stamina when hacking up in the Yorkshire Oaks in August. She then defeated Al Kazeem in the Irish Champion Stakes, encouraging John Gosden to take on the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

She is joined by Irish 2000 Guineas winner Magician who has not been seen since running poorly at Royal Ascot in June. She is opposed by last year’s first and second, Little Mike and Point Of Entry.

Point Of Entry looked a shade unlucky last year when he had to be snatched up on the run to the first turn. He was closing rapidly at the line but went down by half a length.

Olympic Glory turns out again quickly after his easy win in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He is expected to find this a lot tougher with Wise Dan regarded as the banker bet of the meeting by many.

Declaration Of War and Planteur carry European hopes in the closing Breeders’ Cup Classic. Aidan O’Brien’s York International Stakes winner will be retired after this race and faces a tough challenge from Game On Dude, a beaten favourite last year but the winner of all six subsequent starts.

Selections; 7.05 Secret Compass, 7.43 Dank, 8.21 Teddy’s Promise, 9.05 Tightend Touchdown, 9.43 Dance With Fate, 10.22 The Fugue, 11.01 Secret Circle, 11.40 Wise Dan, 12.35 Game On Dude