Take a look at Forever Young’s past performances, jockey, trainer, early BUSR odds and full analysis heading into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
He's won Grade 1 stakes in three countries, earned more than $15.7 million, and never run a bad race.
Forever Young is 9-for-12 with three third-place finishes, two of them last year, when he lost the Kentucky Derby (G1) by two noses and the Classic by 1 3/4 lengths after chasing a suicidal pace. The 4-year-old superstar is back at Del Mar trying to change his luck in America.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi knows it will be a major challenge to outrun favored Sovereignty, defending champion Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Journalism, Baeza and Mindframe.
“The world's strongest runners probably will be gathered there, and it will be a battle to determine the world's strongest horse,” Yahagi said. “I need to raise his power even more. I want to prepare with all my heart.”
Yahagi was speaking after Forever Young and his regular rider, Ryusei Sakai, dominated an overmatched field by 2 1/2 lengths Oct. 1 in a listed race at Funabashi Racecourse. They stalked the pace and drew away under a hand ride.
“We needed this result and a good performance before heading to America,” Sakai told the crowd. “Yes, it was a good performance, but I've come here to win in America.”
Forever Young most likely will offer very tempting odds, perhaps 6-1 or 7-1. If so, he's definitely worth a win and place wager.
