This Classic preview accentuates the overall talent of those that will line up in the Breeders’ Cup and that has not always been the case. In years past, sort of like how the top teams in the National Football League separate themselves late in the season, the horseracing cream usually rises to the top in the fall.
There are superstars in this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita but this Classic preview points to the many options that bettors can evaluate if they look past the favorite.
No Classic preview would be correct without starting with California Chrome. Like fine wine, this runner has just excelled with age. He has shown in his career that although he has brilliant speed, he is not speed crazy. Five of his fifteen wins have come at this venue and his only local loss came by a neck in the controversial Classic 2 years ago when Bayern impacted the field with his antics. Basically, other than the blip on his form after the 2015 Dubai World Cup, his consistency is there for all to see. Even though his connections were not thrilled when this runner drew the rail in his last pair, the star dusted off his rivals. He is strictly the one to beat.
Arrogate has been perfectly handled by Bob Baffert, who will be seeking his third Classic success in a row. After the troubled debut, Baffert stretched Arrogate out and then let him go through his conditions. Despite breaking slowly in his Del Mar finale, this runner righted himself and coasted to victory and the place horse that day was nearly 18 lengths clear of the nearest rival. Arrogate’s hand was forced a bit when he drew the rail in the Travers and after brushing the gate, he just tow-roped his rivals the entire journey. Considering the legendary roster that have won the Travers over the decades, the fact this runner ran the fastest of all time setting a track record that had stood for 37 years and earned the lofty 122 Beyer Speed Figure is noteworthy.
Frosted’s Classic preview story concerns his options. As far as style is concerned he has been able to adapt to what is happening in front of him and that is a major plus in every race, not only one of this magnitude. Frosted took it to them on the front end qualifying for this race with his Whitney score and came from sixth of ten in his Met Mile tour de force. Proven at a number of different venues, Frosted carries the best hopes of the Eastern runners.
Effinex, named for a spousal disagreement, can rise to the occasion at times like his Suburban wins and his second to the Triple Crown champ in this race last year. His tactical speed is a plus but he does seem to be a tad below the best in the division.
Found is a tremendous filly but in this Classic preview, she will have to do something she has never even attempted. She beat 15 horses winning the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but was left with a bit too much work to do last time. In the world-class hands of Aidan O’Brien, she will be making her dirt debut against the best in the world and there lies the crux of the matter. A victory by her would certainly be a monumental feat.
This will also be a Breeders’ Cup family affair as Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien has Intricately set for action in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
In a different year, in a different era, Hoppertunity’s Classic preview status would garner all the headlines. He has not won over $3.5 million by being a slouch but he has had his chances on the big stage and has not been able to get over the hump.
Keen Ice’s win at this distance was one for the ages when he beat American Pharoah last year. He has not been able to get the ink on the contract since.
Melatonin will be trying to pull off a gigantic shocker in the Classic but he has the credentials that must be addressed. A winner of 5 of 13 of his career races, Melatonin has won 3 of his 4 starts this year, including a pair of Grade 1s, and he has been working well since his last race in June. In his last race, Melatonin sat just off the pace in the mile and a quarter Hollywood Gold Cup, inched away late, to record a winning 109. This racer has speed but doesn’t need the lead to win and he worked a solid maintenance mile at Santa Anita on October 22.
The galloping ghost, Shaman Ghost, can run till the cows come home. He won the opulent Queen’s Plate and his heart was evident in his Woodward victory.
With just days to the big event, bettors should not get overwhelmed with the hype but visualize on how the race is likely to unfold.
