The pre-entries for the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) stood at 12 on Oct. 21. By Monday, the field was down to eight after the following took place:
Phileas Fogg, a 6-year-old gelding who would have been a huge longshot, was withdrawn from consideration on Tuesday, Oct. 22 due to left front leg issue.
Then came the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 26. Two of three horses pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) were entered in the Dirt Mile – Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Further Ado and Goodwood Stakes (G1) winner Forged Steel.
The other, Knightsbridge, the Pacific Classic (G1) winner, was entered in the Classic, where he will take on defending champion Forever Young and a pair of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winners in Sovereignty and Golden Tempo.
The Dirt Mile has a field of 11, with Further Ado the 2-1 favorite and Forged Steel at 15-1 the longest shot along with T Kraft and Moonlight.
The decision on Forged Steel came after Knightsbridge was entered in the Classic. Here's trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s reasoning:
“With Knightsbridge going in the Classic, it makes sense. If Knightsbridge hadn’t gone in the Classic, then we might have considered it, but from a handicapping standpoint, the Dirt Mile makes more sense. We feel like we have a better chance to win in the Dirt Mile.”
Ricardo Santana, Jr., who was scheduled to ride at least two horses in the Breeders' Cup this weekend, had his jockey license suspended Tuesday by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.
The suspension comes a day after Santana was arrested for alleged domestic violence.
The state's racing and game corporation said Santana will be suspended "pending the disposition of his criminal charges." Santana will also be removed from all his mounts in Kentucky "until further notice."
In a statement, the Breeders' Cup said:
"The Breeders’ Cup condemns violence in all forms and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and professionalism throughout our sport, while recognizing the importance of due process."
Santana, 33, was set to ride Hymm (15-1) in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and Foie Gras (20-1) in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). Rafael Bejarano will now ride Hymm.
The Lousiville-Courier Journal reported that police on Monday charged Santana with two domestic-violence related charges -- strangulation in the first degree and assault in the fourth degree with minor injuries. He pleaded not guilty to those charges Oct. 27 in Jefferson District Court.
Notable Speech led a strong European contingent onto the Keeneland track for the first time since clearing quarantine Monday night.
The Charlie Appleby-trainee was among the first European horses on the main track, exercising alongside stablemate El Cordobes, who is entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).
“He’s in great shape,” exercise rider Colm O’Donaghue said of Notable Speech, the 7-5 favorite in the BC Mile. "He’s danced every dance and he’s a professional. He went out there solo this morning, didn’t need a lead or anything. It was like his own backyard.”
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien will look to add to his 21 Breeders' Cup victories this weekend with a slew of entries (he's currently tied with Bob Baffert for most Breeders' Cup wins by a trainer):
Here's O'Brien's squad:
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Great Barrier Reef (4-1), Haffner (8-1), Man's Best Friend (15-1), Florida Bay (20-1)
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Sun Goddess [6-5)
Breeders' Cup Turf: Diamond Necklace, Benvenuto Cellini (6-1)
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf: Precise (7-2)
Breeders' Cup Mile: True Love (8-1), Puerto Rico (10-1)
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
