Caleb’s Breeder’s Cup Classic Top 10

Following a big weekend of racing where we saw Authentic hold off New York Traffic in the Grade 1 Haskell and opening day at Saratoga, the latest buzz has shifted towards taking an early look at the top 10 contenders for the Breeder’s Cup Classic. I’ll post my top 10 contenders below, as of the week of July 20, 2020, with some brief thoughts towards each.

 

1. Tom’s d’Etat – Can’t knock this 7-year old veteran as he’s done nothing wrong this year and has yet to even be truly challenged.  
    
2. Maximum Security – Many will have him lower after the Servis FBI incident, but high-profile horses such as Firenze Fire have come back to run well in other barns, and I think the hate is starting to get a little too far. We should have more clarity after this weekend in the San Diego Handicap.
    
3. Code of Honor – He was against a track bias last out in the Met Mile and ran a super race to make up as much ground as he did. He’s proven at the distance and always brings his A game.
    
4. By My Standards – No shame in running second to Tom’s d’Etat last out, and he might be the miler in the country. Not sure he wants to go a full mile and a quarter though.
    
5. Honor A.P. – The first 3-year-old of the list, Honor AP has the highest ceiling of every horse on this list if he continues to improve. Long-striding horse should relish 10 furlongs.
    
6. Tacitus – It’s never been a question of talent for Tacitus, and he finally put it all together in a runaway win in the G2 Suburban last out. Distance is no issue for him, so if he can continue to mature, he could be a serious contender come November.
    
7. Tiz The Law – While he has been visually impressive in his wins, he hasn’t necessarily run particularly fast speed figures, and many of the horses he’s beaten have come back to run subpar races next out. Still, a contender nevertheless.
    
8. Art Collector – Wow did he look good in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Art Collector is really firing on all cylinders right now and could move way up this list if he continues to train forwardly.
    
9. Improbable – While he somehow did get a win at 10 furlongs last out, that was really an allowance field disguised at a Grade 1 event. Nevertheless, he does seem much improved as a 4-year-old, but I’m still skeptical of his distance limitations.
    
10. Max Player – This horse has a lot to prove, but I’m not counting him out just yet. He was closing fast in the Belmont Stakes from way off the pace, and he probably didn’t get the best ride that day as he hates kickback and was stuck inside. He needs to get some races under his belt to keep his spot, however.

 

Honorable Mentions:

Authentic – He barely held on in the Haskell, and his pedigree suggests 10 furlongs is much too far for him.

Dr Post – He was a no-show in the Haskell, but that effort can be somewhat excused when up against a speed favoring track. However, the bottom of his pedigree is more sprint than stamina, and his Belmont Stakes runner up finish isn’t that impressive when you consider it’s 9 furlongs around 1 turn.

Uncle Chuck – Of all of the Baffert horses, this is the one who could be a monster. However, I’m not ready to put him on the list just yet, as he’s beaten a combined total of 7 horses in his 2 starts. I get the feeling he might be legit though, and distance shouldn’t be an issue.

Vekoma – He’s a fantastic miler, but I don’t think he wants to go 10 furlongs.

Midnight Bisou – I love Midnight Bisou, and if the connections declare her to be pointing towards the Classic than she gets added to this list probably in the top 3-5. However, I imagine she will end up in the Distaff instead for a rematch with Monomoy Girl.

 

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to send me your thoughts on Twitter @CalebWVU! Or, there's no better time than now to join the discord with Saratoga and Del Mar in full swing! Get the expert picks and selections daily! https://discord.com/invite/K4Z32Vv