Arabian Knight comes into the 40th Breeders' Cup as a lightly raced 3-year-old with just four career starts, but the Bob Baffert-trained Uncle Mo colt was installed the 3-1 morning line favorite in a field of 13 runners set to go postward in Saturday's $6-million, Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.
Owned by Zedan Racing, Arabian Knight has won three of his starts, most recently going wire to wire in his first G1 victory in Del Mar's Pacific Classic at the same 1 1/4-mile distance at the seaside course on Sept. 2.
Arcangelo, a dual G1 winner of the Belmont Stakes and Travers, was made second choice at 7-2 and drew the inside post. The Arrogate colt races for Blue Rose Farm and is trained by Jena Antonucci. Third choice on the morning line is White Abarrio, winner of the G1 Whitney at Saratoga Aug. 5 in his last start. Rick Dutrow trains White Abarrio, a 4-year-old by Race Day, for C Two Racing Stable and Antonio Pagnano.
Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., will be hosting the Breeders' Cup for the 11th time on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4.
Five of the 13 horses entered in the Classic are 3-year-olds, including the two favorites. In the 39 runnings of the Classic, there have been 13 editions won by 3-year-olds, four of them trained by Baffert in the last 10 years: Bayern (2014), Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (2015), Arrogate (2016), and Authentic (2020). Three-year-olds carry 122 pounds compared to 126 for older horses.
The Classic field lost two leading 3-year-olds over the weekend, G1 Haskell winner Geaux Rocket Ride and G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Geaux Rocket Ride sustained a career-ending, life-threatening injury during a Saturday morning workout and underwent surgery on Sunday. Mage was taken out of consideration on Sunday after having an elevated temperature prior to shipping from Kentucky to California.
There will be a total of 10 races (five Breeders' Cup races) on the first day of the Championships – “Future Stars Friday” – and 12 races on the Saturday program (nine Breeders' Cup races). The Friday program begins at 2:30 p.m. ET with four undercard races. The first Breeders' Cup race on Friday will be the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), which will have a post time of 5 p.m. ET. The Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) (Race #9) will be the final Breeders' Cup race of the day with a post time of 7:40 p.m. ET. A Santa Anita allowance race (Race #10) will conclude the first-day card.
Championship Saturday's first post is 1:10 p.m. ET and begins with two undercard races. The $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) (Race #9) will have a post time of 6:40 p.m. ET. The Classic will be followed by the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) (Race #10) at 7:25 p.m. ET, and the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at 8 p.m. ET. Saturday's program will conclude with a Santa Anita allowance race (Race #12) with a post time of 8:30 p.m. ET.
USA Network and FanDuel TV will both televise the first day of this year's World Championships. USA Network coverage will take place from 4-8 p.m. ET / 1-5 p.m. PT and will include one undercard race and all five Breeders' Cup races, concluding with the Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. FanDuel TV coverage will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT with the first undercard race and will conclude with undercard Race 10.
The USA Network coverage on Saturday begins at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT followed by an extended 3 1/2 hours of live programming on NBC and Peacock from 3:30 – 7 p.m. ET / 12:30 – 4 p.m. PT that will feature five World Championship races, including the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. NBC Sports will provide continued coverage of the final two Breeders' Cup races on Peacock starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. These races will also stream live on BreedersCup.com and Breeders' Cup social media channels.
FanDuel TV will televise the first two undercard races and all Breeders' Cup World Championships races, except the Classic, on Saturday.
FUTURE STARS FRIDAY RACES
SATURDAY'S RACES
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A top-class international field of 13 contenders was entered Oct. 30 for the 40th running of the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to be run Nov. 4 as the Breeders' Cup World Championships return to Santa Anita Park for a record 11th time.
The 1 1/4-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Classic is topped by morning-line favorite Arabian Knight (3-1), campaigned by Zedan Racing Stables Inc. and trainer Bob Baffert, with Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (7-2) the second choice on the morning line. Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co. Ltd.'s Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro (JPN) (4-1) opposes in his United States debut in the richest of 14 Championship races worth more than $31 million in purses and awards to be run over two days Nov. 3-4.
The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be televised live by NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV. Five Championship races will be run on “Future Stars Friday,” all for 2-year-olds, while the Saturday card features nine Championship races anchored by the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.
A total of 175 horses were entered including five defending Champions: Caravel, Cody's Wish, Elite Power, Goodnight Olive, and Twilight Gleaming. There are 48 international contenders from five countries who traveled to the United States to prove their mettle in the global showcase.
Arabian Knight, a 3-year-old winner of three of four career starts and most recently victorious over older horses in the FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic (G1), will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 12.
“It's a long run to the turn. I would have liked to have been in the middle; you always like to be in the middle in Breeders' Cup races. Whatever. We're there,” said Baffert, adding he was surprised about the favorite's role. “It's a good field. We got it. You know, I don't worry about anything that is not in my control. I have won races out of horrible post positions I didn't like and I have lost from some good ones. At least I didn't get the rail!”
Trained by Jena Antonucci, Arcangelo has won his past four starts that includes victories in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1). Javier Castellano has the mount from post 1.
Co-third choice on the morning line at 4-1 is Ushba Tesoro, runaway winner of the Dubai World Cup in March at the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. Freshened for six months after that victory by trainer Noboru Takagi, Ushba Tesoro easily won his comeback race Sept. 27 in Japan under Yuga Kawada, who has the mount Saturday from post position 8.
Also at 4-1 on the morning line is C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's White Abarrio. Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., White Abarrio enters off a 6 1/4-length victory in the Whitney Stakes (G1) under Irad Ortiz Jr., who retains the mount Saturday from post 3.
Completing the field are Bright Future (post 11, 10-1), Clapton (post 7, 20-1), Derma Sotogake (JPN) (post 5, 20-1), Dreamlike (post 10, 30-1), Missed the Cut (post 4, 30-1), Proxy (post 13, 12-1), Saudi Crown (post 6, 12-1), Senor Buscador (post 9, 30-1), and Zandon (post 2, 12-1).
Idiomatic Carries Win Streak into Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff
Juddmonte's Idiomatic (5-2), daylight winner of the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) in her past two starts, is the morning line favorite for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) to be run at 1 1/8 miles with a field of 11. Trained by Brad Cox, Idiomatic has won her past four starts and will start from post 4 with Florent Geroux aboard.
Co-second choices at 4-1 are Adare Manor and Clairiere.
Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor has won her past five starts for trainer Bob Baffert, a streak topped by a 5 1/4-length victory in the Oct. 1 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Juan Hernandez has the mount from post 5.
Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere, who was beaten a head in a three-horse photo in last year's Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland, has two Grade 1 victories this year for trainer Steve Asmussen. Joel Rosario has the mount from post 9.
European Standouts Take On Longines Breeders' Cup Turf
European standouts Mostahdaf (IRE) and Auguste Rodin (IRE), who have combined for five Group 1 victories this year, top the morning line of a 13-horse field for the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) to be run at 1 1/2 miles.
Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.'s Mostahdaf (5-2), winner of the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) and Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) in his past two starts, is trained by John and Thady Gosden. Jim Crowley has the mount Saturday and will exit post 9.
Owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Westerberg and trained by Aidan O'Brien, Auguste Rodin (3-1) won the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in his most recent start. Leaving from post 5, Auguste Rodin will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Songline Favored in FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile
Sunday Racing Co. Ltd.'s Songline (JPN) is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1). A three-time Grade 1 winner and earner of more than $6.2 million, Songline will depart post 10 under Keita Tosaki in the field of 14.
Godolphin runners Master of The Seas (IRE) (7-2) and Mawj (IRE) (4-1) are the second and third morning line propositions.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Master of The Seas exits a tough nose beat in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland in his most recent start. Prior to that he won the Woodbine Mile (G1) under William Buick, who has the mount Saturday from post 14.
Saeed bin Suroor trains Mawj, who returned from a five-month layoff to win Keeneland's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) on Oct. 14 going 1 1/8 miles. Oisin Murphy has the mount Saturday from post 6.
Inspiral, Dettori Chase Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Cheveley Park Stud's five-time Group 1 winner Inspiral (GB) is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) to be run at 1 1/4 miles. Trained by the Gosdens, Inspiral will be ridden by Frankie Dettori from post 6 in a field of 12.
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Warm Heart (IRE), fresh off two Group 1 victories at a mile and a half in Europe, is the 3-1 second choice. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Warm Heart will be ridden by Ryan Moore from post 2.
Third choice at 4-1 is Peter Brant's In Italian (GB), who set the pace before finishing second in this race last year at Keeneland. Trained by Chad Brown, In Italian will be ridden by Joel Rosario from post 1.
Returning Champions Stand Out in Divisions
Juddmonte's Elite Power, one of four defending champions to return to the World Championships, is the 9-5 morning line favorite for the 6-furlong Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). A winner of eight of his past nine starts for trainer Bill Mott, Elite Power will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 8 in a field of nine.
Only two horses have won the Sprint in back-to-back years: Roy H in 2017 and 2018 and Midnight Lute in 2007 and 2008.
Also aiming to repeat for Mott is Godolphin homebred Cody's Wish, the 9-5 morning line favorite for the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). A winner of eight of his past nine starts, Cody's Wish will seek to join Goldencents (2013-2014) as the only back-to-back Dirt Mile victor.
Junior Alvarado has the mount on Cody's Wish, who will exit post 3 in a field of nine.
First Row Partners and Team Hanley's Goodnight Olive is the 6-5 morning line choice to defend her title in the $1 million PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) that attracted nine contenders for the 7-furlong affair. She seeks to join Groupie Doll (2012-2013) as the only back-to-back winner of the race.
Trained by Chad Brown, Goodnight Olive is a three-time Grade 1 winner and has never been off the board in 11 career starts. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 1.
The fourth returning champion is Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Madaket Stables' Caravel (5-1). Trained by Brad Cox, Caravel turned back the boys in last year's $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) as a 42-1 longshot under Tyler Gaffalione, who has the mount Saturday on the striking gray mare from post 3 in a field of 12.
Favoritism at 9-2 in the 5-furlong Turf Sprint goes to Steve and Jolene De'Lemos' Live In The Dream (IRE). Trained by Adam West and ridden by Sean Kirrane, Live in the Dream won the 5-furlong Nunthorpe (G1) at York in August before finishing fourth after setting the pace in the 5 1/2-furlong Woodford (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 7 in his U.S. debut. He will exit post 5.
Stonestreet Stables LLC's homebred Twilight Gleaming, winner of the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, is an also-eligible for the Turf Sprint.
Future Stars Look to Shine
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's Locked is the 7-2 morning line favorite for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), which drew a field of 11 set to race 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Locked will be ridden by Jose Ortiz and exit post 6.
Spendthrift Farm's homebred Tamara, a daughter of three-time Breeders' Cup winner Beholder, is the 4-5 morning line choice for the $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), which drew a field of 13 going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Richard Mandella trains Tamara, who will be ridden by Mike Smith from post 7.
Three $1 million races complete the Future Stars Friday lineup. In the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), RP Racing Ltd.'s Big Evs (IRE), a two-time Group winner in Europe this year, is the 3-1 morning line favorite for the 5-furlong dash that drew a field of 12. Trained by Michael Appleby, Big Evs will be ridden by Tom Marquand from post 4. In the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Lael Stables' She Feels Pretty, winner of the Natalma Stakes (G1) in her most recent start, is the 4-1 morning line favorite in a 14-horse field. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, She Feels Pretty will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 11 in the 1-mile affair. In the $1 million Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Westerberg, Peter Brant and Wertheimer and Frere's River Tiber (IRE) is the 3-1 morning line favorite in a field of 14 for the 1-mile test. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, River Tiber has won three of five starts and most recently finished third in two 6-furlong Grade 1 events. Ryan Moore has the call from post 2.
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After firing a five-furlong warning shot at Santa Anita Monday morning, Zedan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite while drawing post 12 at the Rood & Riddle Post-Position Draw for Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
The Bob Baffert-trained GI Pacific Classic hero and $2.3-million OBS April breezer will face 12 rivals in the $6-million centerpiece, including fellow sophomore and the rail-drawn GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. hero Arcangelo (Arrogate), GI Whitney S. winner White Abarrio (Race Day) and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}).
All four of Baffert's Classic winners–Bayern (2014), American Pharaoh (2015), Arrogate (2016) and Authentic (2020)–accomplished the feat during their 3-year-old seasons.
“I know this is going to be a tough race, but if he brings his 'A' game, I don't really care who's running against us,” Baffert said.
Arabian Knight continues to impress in his Breeders' Classic preparations pic.twitter.com/QECWuArFyZ
— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) October 30, 2023
Despite missing the last two days of training with a foot issue, trainer Jena Antonucci remains confident that Arcangelo is in good form for the Classic.
“He's rather annoyed with us right now, so yes,” she said at the draw.
“He had a warm hind foot and we pulled his shoe off. We'll be patient, always put the horse first and make sure he's 100 percent.”
From the rail out, the complete field for the Classic: Arcangelo (Arrogate), Zandon (Upstart), White Abarrio (Race Day), Missed the Cut (Quality Road), Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), Clapton (Brethren), Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), Dreamlike (Gun Runner), Bright Future (Curlin), Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) and Proxy (Tapit).
Breeders' Cup 40, to be held for the 11th time at Santa Anita, will celebrate the return of four winners–Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (Turf Sprint), Cody's Wish (Curlin) (Dirt Mile), Elite Power (Curlin) (Sprint) and Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (F/M Sprint)–from the 2022 Championships at Keeneland. Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}), winner of the 2021 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, was entered in the Turf Sprint.
Morning-line favorites for Saturday's nine Breeders' Cup events, in race order, as follows:
Cody's Wish (Curlin) (post three) (9/5) (Dirt Mile); G1 Sun Chariot S. winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (post 6) (5-2) (Filly & Mare Turf); Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (post 1) (6/5) (Filly & Mare Sprint); Japanese-based G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) (post 10) (5-2) (Mile); streaking GI Juddmonte Spinster S. heroine Idiomatic (Curlin) (post four) (5-2) (Distaff); G1 Juddmonte International S. winner Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (post nine) (5-2) (Turf); 'Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) (post 12) (3-1) (Classic); G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) (post five) (9-2) (Turf Sprint); and Elite Power (Curlin) (post eight) (9/5) (Sprint).
Morning-line favorites for the 'Future Stars' Friday card, in race order, as follows:
G2 Flying Childers S. winner Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) (post four) (3-1) (Juvenile Turf Sprint); the legendary Beholder's unbeaten GI Del Mar Debutante S. heroine and 'Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) (post seven) (4/5) (Juvenile Fillies); unbeaten GI Natalma S. heroine She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) (post 11) (4-1) (Juvenile Fillies Turf); GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner and 'Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) (post 6) (7-2) (Juvenile); and the Aidan O'Brien-trained G2 Coventry S. winner and G1 Middle Park S. third-place finisher River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (post two) (3-1) (Juvenile Turf).
Hosted by Britney Eurton and Nick Luck, the draw was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.
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