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. Updates with odds and post positions will be published following the draw on Monday, Oct. 30.
Arabian Knight, trained by Bob Baffert, exercises during morning workouts at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on October 28, 2023 as horses prepare for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders: ARABIAN KNIGHT
By US Racing Team
His young runners are built for speed, to dominate their debuts, and to win a graded stakes race next time out. Arabian Knight followed the time-tested Bob Baffert Protocol perfectly.
He performed as expected in his first race, justifying his 3-5 odds in a 7¼-length runaway last year in the opener on Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Keeneland. The chart comment: “Powered away, wrapped up.”
Arabian Knight looked just as sharp in his return on Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park, leading throughout again to take the Southwest (G3) by 5½ lengths at odds of 2-5.
He skipped the Triple Crown series after his connections were displeased with a March 9 workout. “We feel it’s in Arabian Knight’s best interest to be given more time to develop,” owner Amr Zedan said. In his comeback race, he ran third on July 22 behind Geaux Rocket Ride and Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Mage in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park. The Haskell shook off the rust and set Arabian Knight up perfectly for the Pacific Classic (G1) Sept. 2 at Del Mar, where he led all the way for 1¼ miles under Flavien Prat and held off Geaux Rocket Ride by a neck.
Although he won at the BC Classic distance, the final time was slow (2:03.19), with an unimpressive final quarter of 26.36 seconds.
“The wire couldn’t come soon enough,” admitted Baffert, who saluted the colt. “I love the way he digs and fights and he’s going to get better.”
Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions
Betting advice: The Classic has a much tougher field than the Pacific Classic. Arabian Knight must improve to win it, but betting against Baffert in a 1¼-mile Grade 1 has been costly. Besides his six Kentucky Derby victories, he owns four Classic trophies. Maybe not play him to win but you may want to use him in a Pick 3 or Pick 4.
Post position: 12
Odds: 3-1
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables (Amr Zedan)
Biggest Win: Pacific Classic (G1), Del Mar, Sept. 2
Age: 3
Career record: 4-3-0-1
Career earnings: $1,244,275
Top Equibase speed figure:111
Pedigree: Uncle Mo-Borealis Night, by Astrology
Color: Bay
Running style: Front-runner
Notes: Arabian Knight was purchased for $2.3 million at the Ocala Breeders Spring Sale for 2-year-olds … Worked 7 furlongs in 1:24 Oct. 16 at Santa Anita … Baffert’s last Classic victory came in 2020 with Derby winner Authentic, who was voted Horse of the Year … The 70-year-old native of Arizona trained Triple Crown heroes American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018).