Zenyatta is favored to repeat in the Breeders Cup Classic according to an unscientific poll conducted by Gradedstakes.com. The daughter of Street Cry received 35% of the 140 votes. She recently improved her record to 17 wins from 17 starts while recording a narrow victory that may have been easier than it looked over the British mare St Trinians in the Vanity Handicap. She is being tentatively pointed to the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar for her next start.
Checking in second with 23.57% of the vote is Nick Zito’s Kentucky Derby runner up Ice Box. He was last seen finishing ninth in the Belmont Stakes. Zito said that the hot weather may have caused the son of Pulpit to perform poorly. The deep closer needs a fast pace to chase and if they burn it up in the Breeders Cup Classic he would be a serious threat. His next start hasn’t been determined.
Quality Road recorded the third highest amount of votes with 17.85% of all ballots. The son of Elusive Quality out of a Strawberry Road mare set brutal fractions and held on to win the Metropolitan Mile in a time of 1:33.11 seconds during his last race. Trainer Todd Pletcher likes to race him fresh and will wait for August 7 and the Whitney Handicap for his next start. I’d like to see him race more. His time in the Met Mile may have been even faster if he wasn’t running off the shelf. Despite that, its very hard to complain about a Grade 1 win under any circumstances. I just think Quality Road is immensely talented and capable of even more. The 10 furlongs distance of the Breeders Cup Classic will be the biggest question for him in November.
The fourth place finisher in the poll was Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky who garnered 10.7% of all votes. Bob Baffert is currently pointing him towards a start in the Haskell Invitational and then the Travers Stakes. ‘Lucky has a strong group of older horses to compete with this year, but he always bring his “A” game. The son of Smart Strike could be in the mix for the Breeders Cup Classic.
The fifth place finisher was the choice “Other” with 5.71%. This could include horses like Rachel Alexandra who recently got back on track with a powerful 10+ length win in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs. Another horse not listed that could have an impact in the Breeders Cup Classic is Belmont Stakes runner up Fly Down. It looks like he is only now finding his best run. Another possibility is Musket Man although I think he is much more likely to compete in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile.
Little to no confidence is being placed in Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver who got just 2.8% of all votes. I think he deserves more consideration. You have to remember that the Breeders Cup Classic will be contested at Churchill Downs. Super Saver loves the track. He also has the benefit of Calvin Borel aka the King of Churchill Downs. Don’t count Super Saver out based solely on his poor Preakness performance.
Checking in tied for 7th are Rail Trip and Blame. Both are very tough older horses. Blame was most recently seen easily taking the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. He loves the track and that will play to his benefit in November. Trainer Albert Stall has always been high on the horse. I think if he continues to improve he will be the one to beat in the Breeders Cup Classic. If I had to take one horse today to win the ‘Classic it would be Blame.
Rail Trip is also a nice runner. He took the Hollywood Gold Cup last year and is trying to repeat this year. He scored an easy win in the Californian last out with new rider Rafael Bejarano. Will he handle the dirt? That is his biggest obstacle. He missed last years Breeders Cup Classic due to injury.
Who is your early pick in Breeders Cup Classic later this year? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
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