]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 will publish snapshots of the entries. Updates with odds and post positions will be published following the draw on Monday, Oct. 30.
Clapton, trained by Chad Summers. Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders: CLAPTON
The owners changed, but thankfully, the name remains the same: Clapton.
A few months ago, Arindel Farm sold Clapton to Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s RRR Racing. The well-seasoned 4-year-old colt produced a narrow win in the Lukas (G2) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 30 that convinced the new owner and new trainer Chad Summers that a run in the Classic is the way to go.
Clapton, named for the legendary musician, was purchased privately by RRR Racing after a second-place finish in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont on July 4 for trainer Juan Alvarado.
In his first start for Summers, Clapton was fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), never really in contention, but only about three lengths behind the winner, Bright Future, who edged Proxy by a nose. (Both are set to run in the Classic).
He won the Lukas by a nose over Trademark with a strong drive in the stretch while taken seven wide by jockey Cristian Torres.
In an Oct. 19 work at Belmont, where he breezed 6 furlongs in 1:13.87. Clapton competed mostly at Gulfstream Park, having run 19 of his first 20 races at the south Florida track.
“He is just thriving out of the (Lukas) Classic,’’ Summer said recently. “He came out of the race better than he went in. “The (BC Classic) should have pace in it with Arabian Knight and Saudi Crown. They should go fast. You don’t always get these kinds of opportunities. We think it’s the right opportunity for the way the horse is going and how he’s doing.”
On Saturday at Santa Anita, Clapton posted a final work before the Classic, going 4 furlongs in 48.61 seconds under jockey Antonio Fresu.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions
Betting advice: A quick pace would help Clapton, who loves to run wide and close with a rush. Hard time imagining him in the top 3 but won’t rule out a thrilling run to the wire.
Post position: 7
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Chad Summers
Owner: RRR Racing (Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi)
Biggest Win: Lukas Classic (G2), Churchill Downs, Sept. 30
Age: 4
Career record: 24-6-4-6
Career earnings: $823,450
Top Equibase speed figure:108
Pedigree: Brethren-Alexandra Rylee, by Afleet Alex
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Closer
Notes: Summers, also a bloodstock agent, is best known as the trainer of Mind Your Biscuits, winner of the 2018 Dubai Golden Sheehan (G1) and earner of more than $4.2 million … Summers says RRR Racing likes to buy horses in the U.S. and run them in Saudi Arabia and Dubai … Long-term plans call for Clapton to be shipped to Dubai with the World Cup (G1) on March 30 the target … Gaffalione won his first two Breeders’ Cup races in 2022 – Caravel in the Turf Sprint (G1) and Wonder Wheel in the Juvenile Fillies (G1).