In the days leading up to the 41st Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 28.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Profile: USHBA TESORO
Ushba Tesoro had excelled on the international stage, winning the 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1). That’s why his fifth-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was such a disappointment, especially for those who bet him down to odds of 7-2.
Ushba Tesoro
Will Japanese Invader Ushba Tesoro pick up the Classic win?
As usual he rallied but he couldn’t overcome a slow start that put him last of 12 early. It was a rare dud because he won a Group 1 in Japan the following month. Then he ran second in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup (by only a head) and the Dubai World Cup, so it’s not as if he’s lost his way. He was second again (at 2-5 odds) in a Sept. 25 prep in Japan, closing strongly before running out of ground at 1 1/8 miles, a distance short of his best.
USHBA TESORO ウシュバテソーロ propped and lost the rider this morning, but all is well now as the Japanese contender went on to jog comfortably.@FanDuelTVSimon explains what got stuck in this scary incident. pic.twitter.com/c773BlZANR
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 28, 2024
His regular rider, Yuga Kawada, tried to put a positive spin on the prep. “I didn’t get a good result, but he was able to run in a good manner, so I think he’ll be able to perform well (in the Classic).”
Unfortunately for Ushba Tesoro, this year’s Classic field is much stronger than the 2023 edition, and he’ll have to beat superstars City of Troy, Forever Young, and Fierceness. That’s a lot to ask of a horse who’s almost 8 years old.
Betting advice: Count on Ushba Tesoro making a late run, but that hasn’t been good enough in four of his last five races. He’ll need a pace meltdown to contend for the win, so using him underneath in the exacta, trifecta and superfecta is the recommended move.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions: Ushba Tesoro
Post position: 7
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: Yuga Kawada
Trainer: Noboru Takagi
Owner: Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings
Career record: 35-11-4-5
Career earnings: $16,414,520
Age: 7
Last race: Nippon TV Hai (2nd), Funabashi, Sept. 25
Top Equibase speed figure: 112
Pedigree: Orfevre (JPN)-Millefeul Attach (JPN), by King Kamehameha (JPN)
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notes: Ushba Tesoro’s $16.4 million bankroll makes him Japan’s all-time leader. Finishing second in three starts this year was worth nearly $6 million … Ushba is a mountain in the former Soviet republic of Georgia … The horse was only 3-for-22 on turf before switching to dirt, where he’s 8-for-13.