11/06/2020

 12   KEE        BC Classic – Grade 1
  $6,000.000         3yo&Up         1 1/4m  Dirt               3yo 122lbs  Older 126lbs

This is it!!  The waiting is almost over… It’s been a great year of racing and we come to the biggest race, the biggest purse, where the monsters throw down and go to town, the 2020 BC Classic (GI) to be run at the classic mile and a quarter distance here in Lexington.  There really aren’t a lot of surprises in this years race… the normal big stables with their absolute best, and it’s one heck of a field. 

I landed on what I would consider the “hot horse” right now, Groovy, as my top pick after he drew the rail and should be able to use his tactical speed to get the race position he needs.  Three graded wins, two of those coming into this race, and add in three runner up races… I just see him as being in the right spot at the right time. 

I’ll head towards the outside for my second selection and give Space Commander a big chance today.  He’s been very consistent this season and I think this is another opportunity for him to flex his muscles and big a huge factor.  He has shown tactical speed and has also closed from the clouds, so I think his diverse style and ability should put him in the thick of things. 

Speaking of big wins, let’s make sure we put Crack Dab smack dab in the top choices.  He has two wins and a second in his last four starts, all graded races, and was closing fast last out when he got into some trouble at SA.  If he can avoid a traffic jam today, he may be a force late in the race.

It’s the best horses in all the land… you can even make a case for those on the AE list, so let’s take a moment to congratulate this fine group of horses, their connections and let’s hope for a great race… it sure stacks up to be just that. 

Here’s the Field –

Is there a hotter horse right now?  Three wins in his last four starts including the LA Derby (GIII) the Dandy (GII) and the JC Gold Cup (GI)… I’m guessing not.  His favorite style seems to be staying just off of the pace, which should help to miss the traffic issues.  A repeat of his recent form should make him a huge, huge factor today.

His lone 2020 win came at CD when he took the Foster Hcp (GII) in June.  He has a pair of runner up efforts as well, both vs. Alw horses.  A repeat of that CD effort would put him in the vicinity, but he will certainly need his best to be part of this one today. 

This sophomore was one of my favorites when he was on the TC Trail and the PRK (GI) and FofY (GII) winner has been solid through the summer.  He was third in the Haskel (GI), runner up in the Jones Stakes and was fourth only three-quarters of a length last out in the Fayette (GII) over this surface.  I think the mile and a quarter distance is his best right now and I know he will get a couple of my dollars at the widow.

This three year old didn’t make his debut until March of this year but he’s made the most of his time.  Four wins and three runner-up efforts from his nine starts and this is his first start vs. older horses.  He won the Marine (GIII), the Haskel (GI) and the Travers (GI) and was second over this surface in the Lexington (GIII) back in Apr.  I am really excited to see how this race goes for him. 

He was as sharp as you could want a horse to be back in the spring, but just hasn’t been the same since his runner-up effort in the KYD (GI).  He had two wins, and second and a third, then ran ninth in the BEL (GI), seventh in the Haskell (GI), fifth in the Dandy (GII) and tenth in the JC Gold Cup (GI)… you get the picture. 

It just keeps getting better and better for this guy and the betting public just keeps ignoring him.  Five wins in a row and his odd go up vs. down.  His last three have all been victories vs. graded horses tkaing the Dwyer (GIII), Jones (GIII) and PA Derby (GI).  So now it’s on to older horses and the biggest race of his life… does he do it again?

It’s been a great year for this guy winning five of eight starts including the Dominion Day (GIII) and Pacific Classic (GI) but he just didn’t get going late in the Awesome Again (GI) at SA in his most recent, and was odds on favorite in that one.  Maybe just a bounce or traffic, but it worries me a bit. 

The 2020 KYD (GI) winner… and he was second in the BEL (GI) but it’s been tougher since the TC races for him.  Eighth in the Haskell (GI), seventh in the Pacific Classic (GI) and fourth last out in the Awesome Again (GI).  He was closing some ground late in that last out effort, so maybe he finds some of that May magic?

He won the Wood Mem (GII) back in Apr and no other trips to the winner’s circle since then.  He was second in the Pacific Classic (GI) but tired late in the JC Gold Cup (GI) last out.  He’s going to need his best here. 

Two big wins back in the spring including the SA Derby (GI) but the TC Trail may have taken it’s toll on him.  He was fourth in the Haskell (GI) and just missed last out in the Fayette (GII) here at KEE, so maybe he’s finding his old form and he seemed to like the surface.  Can he upset?

He’s been about as solid as you can ask a handicap horse to be… three wins a second and a pair of thirds from his seven starts and I’m sure the connections would like to land the big fish here today.  He won the California Stakes (GII) at SA back in the spring and Greenwood Cup (GIII) at WO in the heat of the summer… now, can he make it a fall spectacular?

Comes into this with a two race win streak and that is his total for the year, so he may be hitting his stride at the right moment.  Both of those were graded races so he’s been racing with top notch company.  He was second in another graded race, so consider him in your wagers. 

Another of my favorites that comes in from the TC events and the BEL (GI) winner has had it a bit tough of late.  He was second in the IND Derby (GIII) off of that big win at BEL but was seventh in both the Travers (GI) and PA Derby (GI) and that isn’t a good sign.  Can he get back to his earlier form and get a big win today?

The big Mb Stables charge has pocketed a ton of cash this season winning four big races including the Pegasus World Cup (GI), GP Mile (GII), The Gold Cup (GI) and the Whitney (GI)… that’ll make your bank swell.  He was sixth in the Pacific Classic (GI) but bounced back a bit to be third in the Awesome Again (GI)… can he get the job done from way out here?

COZMAN Picks 1 / 11 / 7    Scotty 7 / 14 / 4     Willie’s Green Card   11 / 7 / 13

Categories: BC 2018-20, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP