21:41 Del Mar

Saturday 2 November 2024

All17:0517:4018:1519:0019:4120:2121:0121:4122:2523:0523:45

Race 8 - Longines Breeders' Cup Classic - Grade 1

  • 3YO plus  |   1m 2f  |   Fast  |   14 Runners  |   Dirt  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 21:47  |   Winning time: 2m 0.78s
Settings
1
(1)
Horse silk
Forever Young31
Age: 3|  Weight: 8-10| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: Yoshito Yahagi| OR:  121| D
4/1
Japanese 3-year-old is unlucky not to be a perfect seven but for a late barging match with Sierra Leone in the Kentucky Derby in which he was a very narrow third. Given a five-month break before a comfortable winning return in the Japan Dirt Classic at Oii. Has unfinished business in the US.
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Timeform
2
(2)
Horse silk
Highland Falls62
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Luis Saez| T: B Cox| OR:  111| D
20/1
Godolphin runner given the patient approach by Brad Cox. Only had nine races but getting better all the time as a four-length demolition of Pyrenees showed in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga last time. Could outrun his odds.
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Timeform
3
(3)
Horse silk
City Of Troy73
Age: 3|  Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR:  128| D
2/1
With the exception of one blip, has swept all before him in Europe. His impressive Epsom Derby victory was backed up in the Eclipse at Sandown and the International at York, going wire-to-wire in the latter. Has no dirt experience but is by Justify and might not have reached his limit.
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Timeform
4
(4)
Horse silk
Mixto63
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Kyle Frey| T: Doug O'Neill| OR:  110| D
100/1
Del Mar maiden winner around this time last year and caused a surprise in the Pacific Classic here last time out. This is a whole different test.
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Timeform
5
(5)
Horse silk
Senor Buscador35
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-0| J: Joel Rosario| T: Todd Fincher| OR:  115
66/1
Enjoyed a profitable time of it earlier in the year, second in the Pegasus, first in the Saudi Cup and third in the Dubai World Cup. Not quite hit those heights back in the US, though. Deep closer who may not get the extreme pace he requires.
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Timeform
6
(6)
Horse silk
Derma Sotogakeb138
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: C P Lemaire| T: Hidetaka Otonashi| OR:  111
40/1
Well fancied for the Kentucky Derby on the back of an impressive UAE Derby success. Ran best race when second in this last year behind White Abarrio. Has presumably been aimed at this since but has yet to show all his ability remains. Blinkers go on.
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Timeform
7
(7)
Horse silk
Ushba Tesoro38
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-0| J: Yuga Kawada| T: Noboru Takagi| OR:  119| BF| D
33/1
Won 4 times in 2023, notably the Dubai World Cup. Only defeat came in last year's Classic. Found only one too good all 3 outings this year. Another deep closer but he's reliable enough to think he'll be picking a few rivals off in the finish.
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Timeform
8
(8)
Horse silk
Pyrenees62
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Brian Jr Hernandez| T: Cherie Devaux| OR:  103| D
40/1
Represents a burgeoning trainer. A Grade 3 win in the spring followed by a couple of runner-up spots in Grade 1s. This may be a step too far right now.
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Timeform
9
(9)
Horse silk
Fierceness70
Age: 3|  Weight: 8-10| J: John Velazquez| T: Todd Pletcher| OR:  109| D
11/4
Boasts the best form of the home team thanks to his demolition job in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream. He overdid it early on in the Kentucky Derby but has been right back to his best the last twice at Saratoga, winning the Jim Dandy and Travers. Should run a big race.
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Timeform
10
(10)
Horse silk
Tapit Trice35
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Irad Ortiz Jr| T: Todd Pletcher| OR:  110
40/1
Older stable companion of Fierceness. Is a smart performer on his day and, despite two wins this season, would require a career best to succeed in this spot.
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Timeform
11
(11)
Horse silk
Sierra Leone70
Age: 3|  Weight: 8-10| J: Flavien Prat| T: Chad Brown| OR:  116| BF
8/1
Hasn't yet added to his Blue Grass success at Keeneland, though was beaten by the width of a cigarette paper in the Kentucky Derby. Is holding his form well without winning and would benefit from a strong pace.
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Timeform
12
(12)
Horse silk
Arthur's Ride62
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Junior Alvarado| T: William Mott| OR:  109| BF| D
14/1
Stepped out of allowance optional claimers to score decisively in the Whitney at Saratoga in summer. Disappointed behind Highland Falls in the Jockey Club Gold Cup there last out. Will need to bounce back, though represents a barn that doesn't tilt at windmills.
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Timeform
13
(13)
Horse silk
Newgateb135
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: Bob Baffert| OR:  113| D
20/1
Has had a seemingly interrupted career to date but is patently a smart horse on his day. Landed his biggest success in the Santa Anita Handicap back in March and ran well in the California Crown back there latest outing. A career best would be needed to take this.
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Timeform
14
(14)
Horse silk
Next42
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-0| J: Luan Machado| T: William Cowans| OR:  114
16/1
A winning machine for current connections. Draw doesn't help and unless he sets a strong pace himself, he may not get an ideal trip dropped in distance.
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Timeform

Non-Runners

15
(15)
Horse silk
Rattle N Roll35
Weight: 9-0|  Age: 5
T: Kenneth McPeek  J: Jose Ortiz
NR

Forecasts

City Of Troy (2/1), Fierceness (11/4), Forever Young (4/1), Sierra Leone (8/1), Arthur's Ride (14/1), Next (16/1), Newgate (20/1), Highland Falls (20/1), Rattle N Roll (30/1), Ushba Tesoro (33/1), Tapit Trice (40/1), Pyrenees (40/1), Derma Sotogake (40/1), Senor Buscador (66/1), Mixto (100/1)

Verdict

The day of reckoning arrives for CITY OF TROY and he can come out on top. Sure, he has to prove he will handle everything this surface can throw at him, but he's by a Triple Crown winner and his European form is the strongest in the field, while he could even have a bigger performance in his locker. Fierceness has recently confirmed he’s the best of the home team, while Forever Young can chase them home for a 1-2-3 for the Classic generation.

Prize Money

1st: $4,410,000.002nd: $1,400,000.003rd: $700,000.004th: $490,000.00

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