The field is almost set for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Saturday (Nov. 4). The 1¼-mile Classic is the centerpiece of racing’s two-day, 14-race, $31 million championships. In the days leading up to the race, usracing.com will publish snapshots of the entries.
Somebody’s dreaming, and why not? With trainer Todd Pletcher figuring his maiden winner has a better chance at a closing run in the Classic than the Sprint, why not go for the big prize?
And that’s what’s happening as Dreamlike, who was beaten a half-length in the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby (G1) by Classic contender and likely pace-setter Saudi Crown, will attempt to pull off a shocker.
“He won an allowance race at Saratoga. Then he came back with a little bit of a disappointing effort in a Saratoga allowance but redeemed himself with a fast closing second in the Pennsylvania Derby,’’ Pletcher said. “He was third in the Wood Memorial when he was still a maiden. He’s a horse that we’ve always had high expectations for as well and kind of compared him a little bit to Bright Future in terms of one that’s shown a lot of talent and is just on the verge of delivering that.”
Bright Future has already proven he’s a colt to be reckoned with after his victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Dreamlike is 30-1; Bright Future 10-1.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions
Betting advice: Quite the call to run a maiden winner in the Classic, but it seems like the right choice. A fast pace, a flat-out closer who ran strong at 1 1/8 miles, may improve with the extra distance. We doubt it.
Post position: 10
Odds: 30-1
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable (Mike Repole), St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola)
Biggest Win: Maiden special weight, Saratoga, July 14
Age: 3
Career record: 6-1-3-1
Career earnings: $349,450
Top Equibase speed figure: 112
Pedigree: Gun Runner-Time to Tap, by Tapit
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Closer
Notes: Dreamlike was purchased for $975,00 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale … Pletcher has 14 Breeders’ Cup wins, and his Vino Rosso won the Classic in 2019 for the same owners as Dreamlike … Jose Ortiz is seeking his first Classic win.