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A bulging field with impressive résumés. And the Kentucky Derby winner won’t even be the favorite. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is a worthy end to the world championships, where the heavyweights compete for the horse of the year.
At 5-2, Knicks Go is the early favorite for Saturday’s $ 6 million classic at the Del Mar. It’s one of two submissions from coach Brad Cox, who is also the Belmont Stakes winner and 3-1 second choice Essential Quality saddles. Both could claim division honors with a win or solid performance.
“Both horses had great years and hopefully we can add to their résumés,” said Cox, who has taken seven cup wins in his career.
Knicks Go will likely jump out of the starting XI and set the early pace.
“We’re likely to reach a similar or even hotter pace than the Kentucky Derby,” said Cox. “It is very rare for a horse to do what Knicks Go can. You don’t always see horses that can run and manage as fast as possible. He really accelerates in corners.”
Coached by Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit, who won the Kentucky Derby and then failed a post-race drug test, is third pick with 4-1, along with Belmont Stakes runner-up Hot Rod Charlie.
At last year’s Breeders’ Cup, Hot Rod Charlie was second behind Essential Quality in the youth with 94: 1. He finished third in the Kentucky Derby and lost again to Essential Quality at the Belmont.
“We know he’s going to do a big race, he always does,” said Bill Strauss, co-owner of Hot Rod Charlie. “Is he good enough and does he get the trip? That really matters. “
The championships at the end of the season with 14 races started on Friday with five races. Nine more will be driven on Day 2 on the coastal stretch north of San Diego.
The highlight of the event is the 1¼-mile classic, which will be shown live on NBC at prime time.
Medina Spirit finished third in Preakness and then won his next two starts, including one in Del Mar.
“He likes this route and trains very well,” said Baffert, four-time Classic winner, including last year with Authentic.
The $ 4 million Turf had reduced their field to 12, with Domestic Spending knocking out 4: 1 and United 20: 1. Irish-bred Tarnawa is trainer Dermot Weld’s 9-5 favorite.
Irish coach Aidan O’Brien aims with two 20-1 shots: Japan and Broome.
Letruska is the 8-5 favorite in the $ 2 million Distaff. It is the first Breeders’ Cup entry for Trainer Fausto Gutierrez. The 5-year-old mare has won five races in a row.
She is challenged by Shedaresthedevil and Malathaat, a 3-year-old filly who competes with older horses for the first time.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Malathaat has won six out of seven starts, including the Kentucky Oaks.
“You have some speed in it. They have a couple of closers, ”said Pletcher. “They have some 3 year old mares, the best older mares. Hopefully there is a good, honest pace to run. “
Shedaresthedevil is slated to go on sale next week. She is coached by Cox, who gave her a longer break after finishing third in the Spinster Stakes last October.
“So far, this plan is working,” said Cox. “That’s what we’ve been waiting for.”
In other races on Saturday:
—Gamine is the 3-5 favorite for the $ 1 million Filly & Mare Sprint. She is being trained by Baffert, who, based on five positive medications last year, agreed to pay for the increased safety and supervision of his horses at the Cup.
—Golden Pal is the 7-2 favorite in the $ 1 million Turf Sprint, one of three entries for Trainer Wesley Ward.
—Life Is Good is the $ 4-5 pick in the $ 1 Million Dirt Mile. Only Gamine in the filly and mare sprint has lower rates. The colt has four wins and a second of five career starts.
—War Like Goddess is the 7-2 pick in the $ 2 million Filly & Mare Turf against an international field.
– Jackie’s Warrior is the 6-5 favorite in the $ 2 million sprint.
– Ireland-bred Space Blues is the 3-1 favorite in the $ 2 million turf mile, one of coach Charlie Appleby’s two runners.
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