Nightmare draw for Master Of The Seas sets his odds drifting for Breeders' Cup Mile

Master Of The Seas was a drifter for the Breeders' Cup Mile after being allocated the widest stall at the draw for post positions on Monday night. Having been one of three horses generally priced at 4-1 for Saturday's race, the Godolphin runner is now available at 13-2 in light of having to break from 14.

Songline did not fare much better in stall ten but was shortened to 5-2 by Sky Bet and Paddy Power due to Master Of The Seas' misfortune. Mawj arguably fared best of the three market leaders in drawing stall six and the same operators make her a 9-4 shot.

Two winners of the Mile in the past decade have overcome the challenge of being drawn in stall 14, although Karakontie's staying-on success in 2014 owed much to a reckless early pace. Connections will comfort themselves with the thought that Master Of The Seas is a hold-up horse for whom a wide draw need not be an insuperable problem.

The draw took place at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, introduced by compere Nick Luck as the place where Michael Jackson first performed his moonwalk dance 40 years ago. Luck resisted requests to attempt the move himself, so the audience's greatest appreciation was saved for Live In The Dream being allocated a handy draw in stall five for the Turf Sprint, loudly cheered by his owners and their family.

Horses head out to exercise after the main track was harrowed at Santa AnitaCredit: Edward Whitaker

Big Evs appears to have landed in a nice spot in four for the Juvenile Turf Sprint, for which he is no bigger than 3-1. Fellow British raider Carla's Way could have fared better than nine in the Juvenile Fillies Turf but remains favourite at 7-2.

Aidan O'Brien's chances appeared to be improved by the way the draw fell out in several races, notably the Turf, in which he runs Bolshoi Ballet (four), Auguste Rodin (five) and Broome (seven). Key rivals like Mostahdaf (nine) and King Of Steel (11) were drawn wider.

O'Brien's River Tiber could have done much worse than stall two in Friday's Juvenile Turf, in which the trainer also runs Unquestionable (eight). With Ryan Moore on River Tiber, Frankie Dettori has been booked for Unquestionable, who is second favourite in most betting lists.

Dettori has six booked mounts in this weekend's Breeders' Cup races, although Mo Fox Givin is a reserve in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The jockey will partner Starlust in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, while on Saturday he will be aboard Inspiral in the Filly & Mare Turf, King Of Steel in the Turf and Zandon, a 20-1 shot for the Classic.

The Classic will not feature ante-post favourite Arcangelo, who was retired to stud on Tuesday after failing to overcome a hoof issue in time for Saturday's race.

Read these next:

'His form gives him strong claims' - Luke Morris to ride Bradsell in Breeders' Cup as Hollie Doyle misses out 

The Punting Club: submit your questions for a Breeders' Cup special 

Get set for the jumps! Join Members' Club now with 50% off just in time for the Big Jump Off and our brilliant stable tours 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.