Breeder's Crown Classic Preview
Curlin looks to take down his second straight Breeder’s Crown Classic and virtually guarantee himself a second consecutive Horse of the Year honor. It would also cement his legacy as one of the greatest of all time as twelve are likely to go to post in the mile-and-a-quarter Classic. Curlin will break from the nine under Robby Albarado and has been installed the 7-5 favorite.
The much talked about and high anticipated showdown with this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was not to be as the three-year-old continues to be plagued by quarter crack problems as retired to stud. That still leaves 11 other talented challengers to upset the winner of 11 of 14 starts and the most money ($10+ million) in the history of the sport.
Curlin figures to be the horse to beat but this will be his first race over a synthetic surface. We all saw Big Brown’s no go in the Belmont but Curlin is older and far more experienced and should handle the track with no problem. Curlin has raced 14 times on dirt and once on grass. The Santa Anita surface is Pro-Ride. Curlin has looked great in his workouts.
The Europeans could pose Curlin’s greatest challenge. Henrythenavigator, Duke of Marmalade, and Raven’s Pass are three tough imports with a combined 11 Grade I wins between them. All three were hard used through their summer campaigns and a win in the Classic would greatly increase their stallion values.
Other contenders are the synthetic “specialists” Go Between, Student Council, and the undefeated but lightly raced Casino Drive. Go Between has raced five times on the rubber and has never been back of second. Student Council has been training well but was up the track in Pacific Classic workout. Casino Drive is the regally bred, much hyped, lightly raced, Belmont scratch. He won an allowance race here October 12th.
Colonel John carries the flag for this year’s rotten bunch of American three-year-olds. He didn’t fire in the Triple Crown races and despite winning the Travers, would appear to be overmatched here.
Throw them out: Smooth Air won the Ohio Derby but has never faced older horses. Fairbanks is the sacrificial rabbit in a race without much speed. Student Council doesn’t figure. Colonel John and Casino Drive are not enough horse. The three Euros are nice horses but have been heavily raced and anything here would be gravy.
The Breeder’s Crown Classic Superfecta
#9 Curlin: The best horse in the race and probably one of the best all time. The only excuse here would be not handling the track or an impossible trip, neither of which happen to super horses. Beat better by four lengths in a quagmire last year.
#1 Go Between: Is the horse for the course and figures to be in the mix. He has the hot jock in Garrett Gomez and will be around when it counts.
#3 Tiago: This is a very nice horse that is well rested and had nice tightener finishing second in first back four weeks ago. The connections have a reputation of firing when the big money is on the line
#14 Champs Elysees: A grass horse that finished a raging third in the Santa Anita Handicap and should be better with first-time blinkers here. This one will come from the clouds to pick up a piece.
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