BC Classic – GI
11/2/19
SA Race 16 1 1/4M – Dirt
Purse $6,000.000
Three Year Olds and Up
And here we are for this years running of the biggest race in the whole game, the Breeders Cup Classic. Last year defending champion Splash Mountain is coming back to try and be the first ever back to back winner of the race. Let’s take a look at the field.
1. Rainstorm (13-4-4-2 $1042.870), trained by Fractious
The first runner in the field here is the only entry for Fractious but it is a strong entry. This horse is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the grade one Awesome Again over this same track. He usually likes to hang back and make a big run so he needs a quick pace to help out that big kick.
2. Phooeys Queen Blue (10-3-0-0 $784.000), trained by Estero Farms
The first of two runners for Estero Farms in the field and he has been winless since his win in the grade one Florida Derby early this year. In his last start he ran fourth in the grade three Oklahoma Derby but he ran out of ground. I think with his running style the mile and a quarter might help him out a little bit.
3. Erupt (22-6-3-3 $820.900), trained by Estero Farms
The other Estero Farms runner is right next to his stablemate and this horse will be making his first start for this barn. He won the grade two Foster Handicap this summer and then ran a bad tenth in the grade one JC Gold Cup. That was a toss out race and I think he will definitely run better than he did that day at least.
4. Apples To Oranges (10-3-2-2 $1,928.400), trained by Mb Stables
The first of three entries for Mb Stables here and this is his most inside drawn runner especially since his other two are the two most outside in the field. He won the rabbit paced Pacific Classic very easily and then ran an okay sixth in the Pennsylvania Derby. He has a good draw at least but he isn’t necessarily that consistent.
5. For The Boys (18-5-2-6 $907.840), trained by D J C Racing Stables
Here is a very hard knocking horse who just hasn’t been able to win the big race yet. He did get a graded stakes win in the grade three Greenwood Cup at Parx going a mile and a half last out. He is a good horse who just has not been able to breakthrough yet but I think he is a very dangerous runner in this field.
6. Achilles (17-5-2-0 $894.360), trained by Diablo Diablo
Arguably one of the best workers in the whole game and he is able to back it up every once in a while but he is an inconsistent runner. He has wins in the grade one Santa Anita Handicap and the grade one JC Gold Cup. When he is on his game he is a very dangerous horse but it depends on which horse shows up.
7. Hollywood Latte (11-4-0-1 $1,574.040), trained by Nakamura Stables
Here we have a winner of the middle leg of the triple crown when he won the grade one Preakenss by a head. Since then it has been tough sledding for this runner and his best race since then was a fourth in the JC Gold Cup last out. I don’t really see him being much of a threat in this race.
8. Beach Dandy (12-7-1-1 $4,522.240), trained by John Henry
A Breeders Cup Juvenile and a Kentucky Derby are already a part of this runners accomplishments and now he is looking for the biggest one of them all. He shows up almost every time with his best race and I don’t think this will be any different. I think he will run a big race and be right there at the end.
9. Mr Cat Summers (14-4-1-3 $1,044.700), trained by First Street Stables
Another one of those early triple crown prep winners here and this horse won the grade one Arkansas Derby earlier this spring. He has not been able to find the winners circle since but he has been knocking on the door in most. I don’t see him winning but he could hit the bottom of the board possibly.
10. Twin Towers (12-4-1-1 $833.200), trained by Smokey Stover
The first of two runners for Smokey Stover and this horse is coming into this race with a good chance. He won the grade one Haskell and then Smokey Stover bough him for almost three thousand dollars. He has been winless in his two starts since then but I would not count him out at all.
11. State Police (25-9-3-4 $1,675.140), trained by Smokey Stover
The other runner from the Smokey Stover barn also right next to his stablemate and this horse started off the year with a bang when he won the grade one Pegasus World Cup. He has been winless since then but some very close defeats have been in that run. He is capable of a win if he can get over the hump once again.
12. Splash Mountain (22-6-5-5 $5,421.660), trained by John Henry
Last years defending champ if the race is back to try and keep his title but it will be a tougher task than it was last year from this post. He has been in good form this year with a win in the grade one Whitney three starts back. It is a very tough post to overcome and he will have to drop back because that is his best running style unlike when he has shown speed as of late.
13. Centerpiece (22-6-8-2 $3,055.200), trained by Mb Stables
The second of three for Mb Stables right here and this runner is coming into this race off of a lackluster eighth in the grade one JC Gold Cup. Other than that race he has been very good this year with every other start in the top three. A very tough post for him to overcome but he has the trainer to do it.
14. Tactical (10-5-3-0 $1,024.010), trained by Mb Stables
The final entry for Mb Stables and this is the buzz horse in the field as a few people have told me they think this horse has a big chance. He has ran lights out in his last three races with three wins and a second. The only problem is he really has a lot of speed and I fear the outside push will definitely put him on the lead. Tough post to overcome.
15. Champion In Action (22-6-3-2 $782.000), trained by Night Rider Stables
Also Eligible
16. Magne Account (22-8-4-2 $353.950), trained by RNP Stables
Scratched
Summary
Exactly the type of field you would expect for a race of this quality and caliber. It is a great field that has been assembled for this race and there is a lot of live chance. I know John Henry has the winner of last years race but I am going with his other runner Beach Dandy for the win. Good luck to all in the field.
8-6-14-12
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
