In the immediate aftermath of his 3/4-length defeat at the hands of Keen Ice (Curlin) in the GI Travers S. at Saratoga, owner Ahmed Zayat stated publicly that racing fans could well have seen the last of Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). But within the next 48 hours, cooler heads prevailed and the decision was made to keep the homebred colt in training and Saturday's $5-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic is the end of the road for the bay and an 11-race career that captured the imagination of racing fans not only in this country, but all corners of the world.
“This horse reminds me why I'm in this business,” trainer Bob Baffert said Friday morning after the 4-5 favorite was tucked safely in his stall following his final pre-race gallop. “If I'm having a bad day, I'll see him and he picks my head up. He's the champ. Now I've got to find another one.”
The Thursday withdrawal of two-time Breeders' Cup winner Beholder (Henny Hughes) has robbed the Classic of some, but not all, of its intrigue, and many capable rivals remain in the field of nine that will head to the post. Though he is the only horse to beat American Pharoah this season, Donegal Racing's Keen Ice is no better than the fourth choice on the morning line at revised odds of 8-1. He has improved from start to start and, like the chalk, comes into the Classic fresh off the Travers.
Tonalist (Tapit), a late-running fifth in last year's renewal, is the morning-line second favorite on the heels of a powerhouse 4 3/4-length success in defense of his title in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Oct. 3. Despite having defeated Tonalist in each of their head-to-head encounters, Honor Code (A.P. Indy) is the 5-1 third selection as he tries to emulate his sire, who landed this event at Gulfstream Park in 1992. The striking dark bay will be the eighth Classic runner for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, who, though winless, sent out back-to-back runners-up in the form of Seeking the Gold and Easy Goer in 1988 and 1989, respectively. Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose dam is a full-sister to 2000 Classic runner-up Giant's Causeway, is gamely pitched in by the Coolmore connections and although many will discount his chances, brings additional color to an already-colorful renewal.
Speaking of farewells, G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) makes his final career appearance before retiring to Darley's Dalham Hall Stud as the 4-5 chalk in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, while Legatissimo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) looms the one to beat in the GI Filly & Mare Turf. The GI Mile also looks be at the mercy of the Euros, with top horses like Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) and Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) set to lock horns with defending champion Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein).
Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway) and Greepointcrusader (Bernardini) go toe-to-toe in a wide-open looking renewal of the GI Juvenile, while 'TDN Rising Star' Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) looks one of the day's standouts in the GI Juvenile Fillies. It'll be pedal to the metal in the Sprint, with fireballers like Runhappy (Super Saver) and Private Zone (Macho Uno) expected to burn up the main track, and Bobby's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) is back to defend his title in the GI Turf Sprint. Cavorting (Bernardini) will try to become the first 3-year-old filly to defeat her elders in the GI Filly & Mare Sprint, but will have to do it from the widest draw and against a competitive field, including 2014 champion Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper).
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