Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders: DREAMLIKE 🏇

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.