The $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) has been run since 1984 as the centerpiece of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships
While any winner of this race is stand out, among the more prominent victors are Cigar, Skip Away, Tiznow, Curlin Zenyatta, American Pharoah, Gun Runner, Flightline, and Forever Young.
The 1 ¼-mile BC Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31, is the 12th and final race on the card to close out the $34 million, 14-race, two-day Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.
The race will be televised by NBC and Peacock. The pre-entries will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 21; the gate draw is Monday, Oct. 26.
Bidding to become the second two-time winner (Tiznow won in 2000-2001), the 5-year-old Japan-bred star prepped in the U.S. for this one. He easily won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park on Sept. 18. His latest workout gives every sign he’s ready to go again. He’s won 12 of 16 races at 10 racetracks in four countries with earnings of more than $32 million.
Betting angle: Running at Keeneland for the first time won’t lower his favoritism. He’s likely to be challenged by two Kentucky Derby winners plus a horse that beat in the Dubai World Cup (G1) so he’s not a lock.
What to watch: Could he drop too far back, or might he get caught in a speed duel? If he gets his usual stalking position just behind the leaders, he’ll be in a winning position.
A gate-to-wire win over Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup in March merits this 4-year-old as a top contender. Throw out his last out flop in the Whitney Stakes (G1) won by Sovereignty and his resume is quite impressive. With eight victories in 15 starts and earnings of more than $9 million, the Not This Time colt will be ridden by Flavien Prat.
Betting angle: Magnitude runs best with the lead so hope that happens, and he may come through at a reasonable price.
What to watch: If he breaks clean and in front, he’ll be the one to catch. Forever Young couldn’t do it in Dubai.
Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo comes into the Classic off a third in the Travers Stakes (G1), behind Leading Change and Napoleon Solo. But ... he missed some training and skipped the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), a Travers prep, giving him an excuse. His last three works at Keeneland have been solid, and he gets to race over his home track for the first time.
Betting angle: He’s beaten the best of his class, but he’s going against older horses for the first time. He’ll need a perfect setup to come through although he’ll be bet heavily.
What to watch: Hold your breath because he may be last along the backstretch, waiting for Jose Ortiz to get him rolling. Watch for a wide move coming out of the final turn.
The Puma was a hot Derby contender but missed the Triple Crown races after developing an infection just before the Run for the Roses. He comes into the Classic (he’ll be pre-entered in the BC Dirt Mile as well) off a victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) under Javier Castellano for trainer Gustavo Delgado.
Why a value bet? He should go off at some inviting odds based on his roller-caster 3-year-old season. If he’s in top form – he ran fourth in the Haskell Stakes (G1) and the Travers before his Grade 1 breakthrough at Parx -- he’s worth an investment.
The risk: Although he’s finished ahead of some decent horses, he’ll need to overcome quite a few champions for a huge upset.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
