The 38th working of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, set for Nov. 6 at Del Mar, is horse racing’s championship occasion and serves because the unofficial finale of the 2021 season earlier than consideration shifts to getting ready for the 2022 Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve throughout the late fall, early winter, and into subsequent spring.
The Longines Basic has a wealthy historical past going again to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984, and this 12 months’s renewal drew a stellar subject that features completed older horses corresponding to Knicks Go, Art Collector, and Max Participant in addition to representatives of an unusually sturdy 3-year-old contingent: Important High quality, Sizzling Rod Charlie, and Medina Spirit. In most years, the result of the Longines Basic is a figuring out consider swaying the ultimate Horse of the 12 months votes on the Eclipse Awards, and that may actually be the case for 2021.
The Longines Basic might be broadcast stay on NBC and would be the final of 12 races – and 9 World Championship races – scheduled on Breeders’ Cup Saturday at picturesque Del Mar. It has a scheduled put up time of 8:40 p.m. ET.
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Learn on to find out about the entire Breeders’ Cup Basic contenders.
Jockey: TBA
Coach: Bill Mott
Proprietor: Bruce Lunsford
Profession file: 15 begins – 8 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,535,305
Earnings per begin: $102,354
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 120
Pedigree: Bernardini – Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor
Age: 4
Coloration: Bay
Operating model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Artwork Collector rolls into the Longines Basic on a three-race profitable streak and in peak kind. After a promising 3-year-old season that led to disappointment when he was unplaced in each the Preakness Stakes and the Huge Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Dust Mile, he returned in June and ran sixth in a seven-furlong stakes at Churchill Downs … and hasn’t misplaced since. Stretched out in distance by coach Invoice Mott – who took over administration of this proficient colt after his 2021 debut at Churchill – Artwork Collector received the 1 1/8-mile Alydar Stakes round two turns at Saratoga, the 1 1/8-mile Charles Town Classic round three turns, after which the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park round one activate Oct. 2. His Woodward win was probably the most spectacular of his profession, as he simply defeated runner-up and a number of graded stakes winner Maxfield by 1 ½ lengths with fellow a number of graded stakes winners Dr Post and Code of Honor farther again. The massive query for Artwork Collector is the 1 ¼-mile distance of the Longines Basic, which he’s by no means tried earlier than. He’ll even be choosing up a brand new jockey, as Luis Saez, who’s been aboard Artwork Collector for his three wins this 12 months, will journey Important High quality. This son of Bernardini would have been one of many favorites for the Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile together with Life Is Good however owner-breeder Bruce Lunsford is pointing him for the Longines Basic, the place he profiles as a second-tier participant who ought to supply good odds to those that suppose he can pull off the upset. He must also be a contributor to what shapes as much as be a brisk tempo, becoming a member of Knicks Go, Medina Spirit, and probably Sizzling Rod Charlie among the many entrance rank of horses early on. Corridor of Famer Mott has had 18 prior starters within the Basic, profitable the race with the legendary Cigar in 1995 and Drosselmeyer in 2011 and likewise ending third 3 times.
Bet Art Collector in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Luis Saez
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: Godolphin
Profession file: 9 begins – 8 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $4,215,144
Earnings per begin: $468,349
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 109
Pedigree: Tapit – Pleasant High quality, by Elusive High quality
Age: 3
Coloration: Grey or roan
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Important High quality has already amassed a improbable résumé by 9 profession begins, incomes champion 2-year-old male honors with an undefeated 2020 season and profitable the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets and the Runhappy Travers Stakes this 12 months together with three different graded stakes. He additionally completed a superb fourth, overwhelmed by a size, when struggling his solely loss within the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. If he can take the subsequent step and defeat older horses in his last profession begin within the Longines Basic, he’ll be a part of 3-year-old Basic winners from latest historical past corresponding to Curlin, American Pharoah, Arrogate, and Genuine as main Horse of the 12 months candidates (solely Arrogate didn’t win HOY from that group). Important High quality is remarkably constant by way of velocity figures, working model, and the way he wins: time and time once more he has displayed grit and stamina to rally into rivalry from a stalking place and outfinish his opponents for shut victories. He did simply that in each the Belmont Stakes at 1 ½ miles, defeating Sizzling Rod Charlie by 1 ¼ lengths after a chronic stretch duel, and his most up-to-date begin within the 1 ¼-mile Travers, nipping Midnight Bourbon by a neck. With a number of velocity horses entered within the Longines Basic, search for common rider Luis Saez to maintain Important High quality in midpack by the backstretch after which angle him three- or four-wide on the far flip for his customary grinding stretch run. If the early tempo certainly seems to be swift, every thing might fall into place for Important High quality on Nov. 6 to assist elevate his standing as among the best 3-year-olds within the 21st Century. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum completed second within the 2006 Basic with Bernardini, racing beneath his Darley Secure banner. He additionally took second as Godolphin Secure with Sakhee in 2001 (losing to Tiznow in a memorable race) and third in 1998 with Swain. Luis Saez virtually received the Basic aboard Will Take Cost in his very first begin within the occasion, ending second by a nostril again in 2013 to Mucho Macho Man.
Bet Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Coach: John Shirreffs
Proprietor: C R K Stable
Profession file: 14 begins – 4 wins – 4 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $695,800
Earnings per begin: $49,700
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 111
Pedigree: Union Rags – I’m a Flake, by Mineshaft
Age: 4
Coloration: Bay
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Regionally-based Categorical Prepare might be a longshot within the Longines Basic as he seeks to recapture his early 2021 kind following two consecutive subpar efforts. By means of the primary 5 begins of a busy 4-year-old season, this Union Rags colt received the 1 1/8-mile San Pasqual Stakes and the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap and hit the board in his different three races, together with a half-length loss to Idol within the 1 ¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap again in March. However since profitable the San Diego in July, Categorical Prepare has upset, ending sixth by 10 ¾ lengths within the TVG Pacific Classic as the two.40-1 favourite after which third by seven lengths to runaway winner Medina Spirit within the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 2. He’s 3-for-5 at Del Mar for his profession, together with the San Diego rating, in order that’s a optimistic, and previous to his latest stoop he was very constant by way of velocity figures. If he can regain that early 2021 kind, his stalking working model might show helpful within the Basic and allow him to select off a couple of tiring horses and fill out the trifecta or superfecta. General, nevertheless, his kind appears to be like suspect in comparison with formidable East Coast invaders Knicks Go, Important High quality, and Artwork Collector in addition to fellow SoCal-based contenders Sizzling Rod Charlie and Medina Spirit. Coach John Shirreffs has had prior success within the Basic, profitable the race with Corridor of Famer Zenyatta in 2009 after which running a heart-pounding second with the mare a year later, which ended her unbeaten streak. He’s additionally completed second with Bertrando in 1993 (behind massive longshot Arcangues) and third with Tiago in 2008.
Bet Express Train in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Coach: Doug O’Neill
House owners: Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss
Profession file: 11 begins – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $2,171,200
Earnings per begin: $197,382
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 120
Pedigree: Oxbow – Indian Miss, by Indian Charlie
Age: 3
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: After a number of close-but-not-quite makes an attempt at touchdown a Grade 1 win, fan favourite Sizzling Rod Charlie broke by with a 2 ¼-length rating within the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 25 and rolls into the Longines Basic in one of the best type of his profession. Jockey Flavien Prat took the initiative within the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby and set the tempo from the outset, and regardless of drifting out within the stretch, “Chuck,” as he’s referred to as by his house owners and a few of his followers, had greater than sufficient stamina to attract away from runner-up Midnight Bourbon within the late phases. Sizzling Rod Charlie earned a measure of redemption with that win, coming after he was disqualified from a victory within the Grade 1 TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in July for interfering with Midnight Bourbon and inflicting that rival to clip heels and unseat his jockey. Earlier in 2021, Sizzling Rod Charlie received the 1 3/16-mile Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on the entrance finish and completed an excellent third within the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve off of a stalking journey, He then ran a fair higher second (to Important High quality) within the 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets after setting a quick and pressured tempo. This son of Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow is flexible and confirmed on the Basic distance, and he has paired properly with Flavien Prat over his previous 4 begins. Search for Prat to get Sizzling Rod Charlie concerned early, maybe sitting simply off of Knicks Go, Medina Spirit, and Artwork Collector by the backstretch, after which urge him to make a bid for the lead on the far flip. If “Chuck” can replicate his efforts within the Haskell (113 Equibase Velocity Determine) and the Pennsylvania Derby (120 determine), he stands a superb likelihood of scoring a career-defining win and setting off a raucous celebration within the Del Mar winner’s circle amongst his possession group. Prat completed third within the 2019 Basic aboard Greater Energy.
Bet Hot Rod Charlie in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: TBA
Coach: Richard Baltas
Proprietor: Calvin Nguyen
Profession file: 7 begins – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $416,964
Earnings per begin: $59,566
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 107
Pedigree: Curlin – Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy
Age: 4
Coloration: Bay
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Idol profiles as a longshot contender within the Longines Basic who might boost trifecta and superfecta tickets if – and it’s a giant if – he regains the shape he confirmed in late 2020 and early 2021. Even when he can, his velocity figures are decrease than the highest tier of Basic starters, though his stalking working model might work to his profit in a race that tasks to have a stable tempo. Idol achieved a breakthrough win again in March when he edged Categorical Prepare by a half-length within the 1 ¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap (a number of graded stakes winner Maxfield completed third). Previous to that, he had competed properly in Kentucky and California by 5 begins and positioned in two graded stakes at Santa Anita Park. In his solely begin because the Huge ’Cap, Idol returned from a seven-month break to complete a desultory sixth of eight within the Awesome Again Stakes on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita, 16 lengths behind winner Medina Spirit. His exercises since that comeback race have been stable, and that might be a superb signal that this son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Basic winner Curlin is again heading in the right direction. He’ll should be to make even a minor impression in a stacked Longines Basic.
Bet Idol in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: Korea Racing Authority
Profession file: 23 begins – 9 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $5,553,135
Earnings per begin: $241,441
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 118
Pedigree: Paynter – Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker
Age: 5
Coloration: Grey or roan
Operating model: Pacesetter
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Velocity, velocity, velocity. That’s been the calling card for Knicks Go ever since he moved to the barn of 2020 Eclipse Award-winning coach Brad Cox in early 2020, and it’s helped this horse obtain star standing. Over the previous 16 months, Knicks Go has received seven of 9 begins, together with 5 graded stakes, and earned over $4.8 million. In all these wins, he’s led at each level of name and by no means completed lower than 2 ¾ lengths in entrance of his closest challenger on the wire – they usually’ve all come round two turns (his two losses earlier this 12 months had been round one flip within the Saudi Cup abroad and at Belmont Park within the Hill ‘n’ Dale Met Mile, a pair of fourth-place finishes). He’s tallied victories in such prestigious races because the 2020 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland, the 2021 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, and the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes at Saratoga again in August, and he tuned up for his bid within the Longines Basic with a “paid exercise” four-length romp within the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Lukas Classic at his residence base of Churchill Downs on Oct. 2 that earned a 115 Equibase Velocity Determine. Regardless of all of those credentials, warning indicators loom in what would be the hardest check of Knicks Go’s profession on Nov. 6. He’s by no means tried 1 ¼ miles, nor has he raced at Del Mar. What’s extra, within the Longines Basic Knicks Go figures to lastly sq. off in opposition to a subject that features different horses possessing elite velocity, particularly Medina Spirit, Artwork Collector, and Sizzling Rod Charlie. Jockey Joel Rosario received’t have practically as straightforward of a time getting his mount to the entrance after which controlling issues thereafter, and the in-race jockey strategizing between Rosario and his fellow tempo riders must be fascinating to look at. Even with these issues, Knicks Go deserves to be one of many favorites for the Longines Basic, and if he can outrun his foes as soon as once more at a distance he’s by no means tried, he’ll be a shoo-in for Horse of the 12 months. Rosario received the 2019 Longines Basic on Speed up and completed second aboard McKinzie in 2019 and third on Flat Out in 2012.
Bet Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Coach: Steve Asmussen
House owners: George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds
Profession file: 11 begins – 4 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,252,500
Earnings per begin: $113,864
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 113
Pedigree: Honor Code – Fools in Love, by Not For Love
Age: 4
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: This Honor Code colt has discovered a brand new and financially rewarding dimension in 2021 by altering his working model. Previously a one-dimensional nearer who completed third in each the 2020 Belmont Stakes Offered by NYRA Bets and the Runhappy Travers Stakes at age 3, Max Participant raced a lot nearer to the tempo in his third begin this 12 months, the 1 ¼-mile Suburban Stakes at Belmont Park in July, and outfought Dubai World Cup Offered by Emirates Airline winner Mystic Guide to win by a neck. His subsequent begin was even higher, as he as soon as once more tracked the tempo after which powered clear to attain by 4 lengths within the 1 ¼-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 4. Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen determined to forego a last prep for the Longines Basic and as a substitute has stored Max Participant on a gentle worktab at Santa Anita Park. He must be well-rested and able to put forth one other stable effort at a distance that clearly fits him, and his Equibase Velocity Figures from the Suburban and Jockey Membership Gold Cup make him a menace to hit the board in a aggressive Basic, if not put up the upset. Each he and Important High quality stand to profit probably the most if the early tempo within the Basic taxes Knicks Go and the opposite front-runners – and Max Participant ought to carry way more attractive post-time odds than the Belmont and Travers winner. Asmussen received the 2007 Basic with Curlin, a Corridor of Famer, and in 2017 with Gun Runner, a soon-to-be Corridor of Famer. Co-owner George Corridor completed third within the 2011 Basic with Ruler On Ice.
Bet Max Player in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: John Velazquez
Coach: Bob Baffert
Proprietor: Zedan Racing Stables
Profession file: 9 begins – 5 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $2,525,200
Earnings per begin: $280,578
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 110
Pedigree: Protonico – Mongolian Changa, by Sensible Velocity
Age: 3
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Operating model: Pacesetter
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Medina Spirit is arguably the X-factor contender on this 12 months’s Breeders’ Cup Basic. He, together with Artwork Collector, ought to present a severe tempo problem to Knicks Go and be sure that that front-running rival doesn’t go unchallenged within the early phases. Not like Artwork Collector, Medina Spirit has victories at a mile and 1 / 4 and likewise on Del Mar’s grime floor. In 4 out of this colt’s 5 profession wins, he has led at each level of name, and that features his first-place end within the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve that’s presently beneath investigation after he examined optimistic for a banned race-day treatment. Because the Derby, Medina Spirit completed third within the Preakness Stakes off of two weeks’ relaxation however then improved significantly with additional breaks between begins, profitable the one-mile Shared Perception Stakes at Del Mar in late August by 1 ¼ lengths after which romping by 5 lengths within the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again Stakes over Stilleto Boy and Categorical Prepare at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 2. He’s put in a few good exercises because the Superior Once more for Bob Baffert and seems to be prepared for an additional high effort within the Longines Basic. This modestly-bred $35,000 buy for Amir Zedan will get Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez again aboard for the seventh straight race – one other optimistic. Medina Spirit is a viable win candidate in a loaded Basic subject who will make an impression on the result a method or one other by utilizing his velocity. Baffert has received the Basic 4 instances: Bayern in 2014; Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015; Arrogate in 2016; and Genuine in 2020. He’s additionally completed second 5 instances and third twice. Velazquez rode Genuine to victory for Baffert final 12 months, his first win within the Basic. He’s completed second 3 times.
Bet Medina Spirit in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Coach: Ed Moger Jr.
Proprietor: Steve Moger
Profession file: 10 begins – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $324,675
Earnings per begin: $32,468
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 106
Pedigree: Shackleford – Rosie’s Ransom, by Marquetry
Age: 3
Coloration: Chestnut
Operating model: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: In a race loaded with graded stakes winners, Stilleto Boy must be the longest shot within the Basic subject. He’s assembled a stable however far-from-spectacular profession file by 10 races, breaking his maiden in his fifth profession begin final spring at Oaklawn Park and two races later scoring a 16.70-1 upset within the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. After that victory in early July, Stilleto Boy was purchased by Steve Moger on the Fasig-Tipton July sale of horses of racing age and transferred to brother Ed Moger’s secure in California. Since then, he’s run respectably in three straight stakes races, ending fifth in a turf stakes at Del Mar, third behind Medina Spirit and Rock Your World within the Shared Perception Stakes on Del Mar’s grime important monitor, after which second by 5 lengths to Medina Spirit within the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 2 at odds of 54.80-1. Given the quantity of high quality lined up on this 12 months’s Basic, Stilleto Boy will most likely as soon as once more be dismissed by the betting public, and in a best-case state of affairs he might muster an honest stretch rally and cross some drained horses to boost the exotics contemplating that he has hit the board in eight out of his 10 begins. Something greater than that may be a significant shock. Corridor of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has been aboard all three of Stilleto Boy’s West Coast begins. His finest Breeders’ Cup Basic end got here again in 1999 when third on Golden Missile. Desormeaux has additionally completed fourth six instances.
Bet Stilleto Boy in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Coach: John Sadler
Proprietor: Hronis Racing
Profession file: 15 begins – 4 wins – 3 seconds – 3 thirds
Profession earnings: $829,960
Earnings per begin: $55,331
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 109
Pedigree: Kitten’s Pleasure – Love Prepare, by Tapit
Age: 4
Coloration: Chestnut
Operating model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating info: Tripoli jumped on the Longines Basic path with a pointy 1 ¼-length win within the 1 ¼-mile TVG Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 21, a breakthrough effort after he had received 3 times in 13 prior begins, largely competing in opposition to allowance firm. In his Pacific Basic win, Tripoli saved floor whereas stalking front-running Tizamagician and moved adroitly on the rail to scoot clear in early stretch en path to a straightforward victory. Following that rating, nevertheless, Tripoli regressed when fourth by 8 ¼ lengths to Medina Spirit within the Awesome Again Stakes on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita Park, the place he stalked in midpack behind the pacesetting winner, moved right into a hanging place popping out of the far flip, after which light. On the optimistic facet, Tripoli has boosted his kind in his 4-year-old season, incomes three consecutive triple-digit Equibase Velocity Figures previous to the Superior Once more. Getting reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to journey is one other plus. General, although this son of Kitten’s Pleasure has assembled a stable profession file with out ever actually establishing himself as a Grade 1-caliber racehorse, and regardless of his top-level win in Del Mar’s signature race he nonetheless takes a again seat to a lot of the different starters on this 12 months’s Longines Basic. Ortiz received the 2019 Basic aboard Vino Rosso and completed second in each 2018 (Gunnevera) and 2020 (Inconceivable). Coach John Sadler and proprietor Hronis Racing teamed as much as win the 2018 Basic with Speed up and completed third in 2019 with Greater Energy.
