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Tom’s D’Etat Stays On Top In Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings

GMB Racing's 7-year-old Tom's d'Etat, winner of the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2), retained the top spot in the latest 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings, a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington on Nov. 7.

The Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings are determined by a panel of leading Thoroughbred racing media, horseplayers and members of the Breeders' Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel. Rankings will be announced each week through October 13. A list of voting members can be found here.

In the Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings, each voter rates horses on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system in descending order.

Trained by Al Stall Jr., Tom's d'Etat, who is scheduled to run at Saratoga in this Saturday's Whitney (G1), a “Win and You're In” for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), leads all Classic contenders with 312 votes. A bay son of Smart Strike, Tom's d'Etat earned a free berth into the Classic on June 27 when he won the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Gary and Mary West, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's 4-year-old Maximum Security (272) remains in second place in the Classic Rankings following his dramatic win by a nose over Midcourt in last Saturday's San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. In his first start for trainer Bob Baffert, the San Diego win was Maximum Security's first race since taking the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup in February.

W.S. Farish's 4-year-old Code of Honor (219 votes), also a candidate for the Whitney, has switched places with Sackatoga Stable's 3-year-old Tiz the Law (207 votes) in this week's poll. Trained by Shug McGaughey, Code of Honor, now ranked No. 3, won the Westchester Stakes (G3), and finished third in Metropolitan Handicap (G1), in his two starts this year.

Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tiz the Law, ranked fourth, is unbeaten in three starts this year for trainer Barclay Tagg. Tiz the Law, being pointed to the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 8, won the Holy Bull (G3) and the Florida Derby (G1) prior to his Belmont Stakes triumph.

Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's 5-year-old mare Midnight Bisou (175 votes), the only female in the top 10, remains in fifth place. The Steve Asmussen-trained dark bay daughter of two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Midnight Lute dominated last month's Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs, romping to an 8 ¼-length victory. Midnight Bisou is slated to run in Saturday's Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

CRK Stable's 3-year-old Honor A. P. (121 votes) stays in sixth place in this week's rankings. Trained by John Shirrreffs, the dark bay son of Honor Code won the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) on June 6 in his last start.

Another likely starter for Saturday's Whitney, Allied Racing Stable's By My Standards (118 votes), is next in seventh place. Trained by Bret Calhoun, By My Standards won the New Orleans Handicap (G2) and the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) before finishing second to Tom's d'Etat in the Stephen Foster.

Juddmonte Farms' 4-year-old Tacitus (99 votes) retains eighth place in the Classic Rankings. Trained by Bill Mott, Tacitus rolled to an 8 ¾-length victory in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on July 4.

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing's Improbable (82 votes), moves up to ninth place, from 10th this week, switching places with R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stable's Vekoma (69 votes). Trained by Bob Baffert, Improbable, winner of the 1 ¼-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita on June 6, is headed to Saratoga for Saturday's Whitney.

Rounding out the top 10 is the 4-year-old Vekoma, trained by George Weaver. Vekoma is unbeaten in three starts this year, including wins in Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races, the Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1), for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), and the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1), for the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings – July 28, 2020*

RANK	HORSE	TOTAL VOTES	FIRST-PLACE VOTES
1	Tom's d'Etat	312	18
2	Maximum Security	272	9
3	Code of Honor	219	3
4	Tiz the Law	207	1
5	Midnight Bisou	175	2
6	Honor A. P.	121	0
7	By My Standards	118	0
8	Tacitus	99	0
9	Improbable	82	0
10	Vekoma	69	1

*Note – The Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings have no bearing on qualification or selection into the Breeders' Cup Classic.

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Code of Honor, Midnight Bisou Breeze Towards Weekend Stakes

Will Farish’s Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) breezed a half-mile in :49.04 (XBTV video) at 5:30 Monday morning over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, completing his preparations for Saturday’s GI Whitney S. The nine-furlong event offers the winner a fees-paid berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 7.

Working beneath his regular exercise rider Lexi Peaden, last year’s GI Runhappy Travers S. hero went his opening quarter in :25.1 and galloped out five-eighths of a mile in 1:01.2 to the satisfaction of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.

“That’s exactly what we wanted. I just wanted him to have a little bit of work and that’s what I asked for him to go in,” said McGaughey, who has saddled Personal Ensign (1988), Easy Goer (1989) and Lane’s End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm’s Honor Code (2015) to win the Whitney. “I always breeze him on the Monday before he runs on Saturday. That seems to put him on his game. He’s had two good works up here and he seems to be doing fine.”

Code of Honor will be making his third start of the season in the Whitney, having won the GIII Westchester S. ahead of a solid third-place effort to Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Runhappy Met Mile June 20. Four-time Whitney-winning jockey John Velazquez has the call in a field topped by Tom’s d’Etat (Smart Strike).

Not long after Code of Honor left the track, champion Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) tuned up for Saturday’s GI Personal Ensign S. presented by NYRA Bets with an easy half-mile spin that was timed in :50.55 at Oklahoma. Midnight Bisou, the Saudi Cup runner-up who exits a dominating 8 1/4-length success in the GII Fleur de Lis S. at Churchill June 27, will be ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr., with Mike Smith unable to travel from California.

The Personal Ensign is also a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

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McGaughey ‘Looking Forward’ To Running Code Of Honor In Saturday’s Whitney

Two-time Grade 1-winner Code of Honor breezed a half-mile in 49.04 seconds at 5:30 a.m. Monday morning over the Oklahoma training track in his final work for Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by W.S. Farish and trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the 4-year-old chestnut son of Noble Mission worked solo under regular exercise rider Lexi Peaden through splits of 25.1, 49 and out in 1:01.3.

“That's exactly what we wanted. I just wanted him to have a little bit of work and that's what I asked for him to go in,” said McGaughey. “I always breeze him on the Monday before he runs on Saturday. That seems to put him on his game. He's had two good works up here and he seems to be doing fine.”

McGaughey credited Peaden for her professionalism in piloting Code of Honor through his morning training.

“She does a great job on him. She doesn't miss a beat and I have confidence that he'll go out and do what we want him to do,” said McGaughey. “He's a pretty push-button horse. If I put a jock on him, he might go a little bit faster than what I want him to. This way, we'll leave a little something in there.”

Code of Honor enjoyed a tremendous sophomore season winning four of eight starts, including Grade 1 wins in the Runhappy Travers at Saratoga and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. He launched his 4-year-old campaign with two starts at Belmont Park led by a win in the Grade 3 Westchester in June and a closing third last out in the Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile on July 4 when traveling one turn.

McGaughey will hand the reins to Hall of Famer John Velazquez, a four-time Whitney winner, when Code of Honor stretches back out to nine furlongs in the Whitney.

“Johnny knows him well and he's been in these spots many times. I'm looking forward to running him a mile and an eighth over this track,” said McGaughey.

Velazquez has previously notched Whitney wins with Left Bank [2002], Lawyer Ron [2007], Commentator [2008] and Cross Traffic [2013], while McGaughey's trio of Whitney victors include Personal Ensign [1988], Easy Goer [1989] and Honor Code [2015].

A probable field for the Whitney includes By My Standards (Bret Calhoun), Improbable (Bob Baffert), Mr. Buff (John Kimmel), Owendale (Brad Cox), and Tom's d'Etat (Al Stall, Jr.)

The Hall of Fame conditioner said he is hopeful the compact but talented field will provide some speed to chase.

“The short field doesn't bother me. He's had short fields, deep fields, it doesn't matter, but I'd like to get some pace,” said McGaughey.

Code of Honor will attempt to become the first horse to win the Travers and the Whitney since Medaglia d'Oro did so in 2002-03. A Kentucky homebred, Code of Honor is out of the graded stakes-winning Dixie Union broodmare Reunited.

Shortly following Code of Honor's impressive breeze, Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's Eclipse Award-champion Older Dirt Female Midnight Bisou worked a half-mile in preparation for her title defense in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign presented by NYRA Bets.

Traveling solo over the Oklahoma training track, Midnight Bisou opened up in 25.2 and was clocked a half-mile in 50.55.

The 5-year-old Midnight Lute mare has notched all 13 of her career wins in graded events. Last year, Midnight Bisou won 7-of-8 starts led by Grade 1 scores in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, the Ogden Phipps at Belmont, and the Personal Ensign at Saratoga, which she captured in dramatic fashion by a nose over Elate.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bisou kicked off her campaign with a second in the inaugural Saudi Cup and enters Saturday's nine-furlong test off an 8 1/4-length score in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs.

The probable field for the Personal Ensign includes Abounding Joy (Rodolphe Brisset), Motion Emotion (Richard Baltas), Point of Honor (George Weaver), and Vexatious (Jack Sisterson).

Ricardo Santana, Jr. will have the call aboard Midnight Bisou on Saturday.

Top Racing, Global Thoroughbred and GDS Racing Stable's Bodexpress breezed five furlongs in 1:02.12 Monday on the main track under exercise rider J.J. Delgado in preparation for the $85,000 Alydar, a nine-furlong test slated for August 9.

Trained Gustavo Delgado has a three-horse stable at Saratoga, overseen by his son Gustavo Delgado, Jr., which includes Grade 1 Runhappy Travers hopeful Caracaro and maiden winner Summer Kid.

Both father and son were trackside Monday and came away impressed with the breeze by Bodexpress.

“It was a good breeze, he went the last quarter very good,” said Delgado.

The 4-year-old Bodemeister colt was a late scratch before the start of the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup on July 18 at Monmouth Park and was nominated to both the Grade 1 Whitney and $85,000 Alydar.

“Today was a maintenance work because he was supposed to race last week,” said Delgado, Jr. “You can tell he is feeling good. He did that today all on his own and he didn't come back too tired. The Alydar makes sense especially since it's been four months since he ran.”

Bodexpress ran second in last year's Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream as a maiden and was elevated to 13th in the Kentucky Derby before becoming an internet sensation after unseating Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez at the start of the Grade 1 Preakness and completing the course of his own accord.

He then enjoyed a successful stop at Gulfstream Park West where he graduated in October and doubled up in November with a 6 3/4-length allowance score. Bodexpress has kept good company since through four starts at Gulfstream Park, finishing third in the Grade 3 Harlan's Holiday; fifth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational; off-the-board in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile; and a prominent third last out in the Grade 3 Hal's Hope on March 28.

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano is slated to ride Bodexpress in the Alydar and will also breeze Caracaro on Saturday in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers to be held August 8.

Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's Caracaro followed up on an impressive January 11 maiden win at Gulfstream with a strong second to Country Grammer in the Grade 3 Peter Pan on July 16 at the Spa, earning 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

“He likes Saratoga,” said Delgado. “He will work on Saturday with Castellano.”

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Tom’s D’Etat Tops First Week Of Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings

GMB Racing's 7-year-old Tom's d'Etat, winner of the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2), leads the first week of tabulated votes for the 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings, a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington on November 7.

In the Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings, each voter rates horses on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system in descending order.

Tom's d'Etat, a Kentucky-bred son of Smart Strike, trained by Al Stall Jr., topped all Classic contenders this week with 292 votes. Earning a “Win and You're In” berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic with his runaway 4 ¼-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster on June 27 at Churchill Downs, Tom's d'Etat scored his second triumph of 2020, following a win in the Oaklawn Mile Stakes on April 11.

Gary and Mary West, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's 4-year-old Maximum Security (243 votes) is in second place. Now trained by Bob Baffert, Maximum Security won the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup in February. A bay son of 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day, Maximum Security was the 2019 3-year-old Male Eclipse Award winner. Maximum Security is expected to start in this Saturday's San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. Baffert won the Breeders' Cup Classic in consecutive years with Bayern (2014), American Pharoah (2015) and Arrogate (2016).

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law (210 votes) is one of two 3-year-olds in the top 10. Ranked third, Tiz the Law is unbeaten in three starts this year, taking the Holy Bull (G3), the Florida Derby (G1) and the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 20. Trainer Barclay Tagg has pointed the New York-bred son of Constitution to the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 8.

W.S. Farish's 4-year-old Code of Honor is ranked fourth with 200 votes. Winner of the Westchester Stakes (G3), and a third-place finisher in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Code of Honor won both the Travers Stakes and The Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) before finishing seventh in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic for trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey.

Garnering the fifth-most votes in the poll is Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's 5-year-old mare Midnight Bisou. The Steve Asmussen-trained dark bay daughter of Midnight Lute stormed from the back of the pack against male rivals in the Saudi Cup in January and finished second, just three-quarters of a length behind Maximum Security at the wire. Midnight Bisou (174 votes) continued her solid form in her return to the races last month, dominating the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs, for fillies and mares, romping to an 8 ¼-length victory.

CRK Stable's Honor A. P. is the second 3-year-old in the top 10 of this week's rankings, taking the sixth position. Trained by John Shirrreffs, who saddled Zenyatta to victory in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic, Honor A. P. (125 votes) won the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) on June 6.

Allied Racing Stable's By My Standards (122 votes) is next in seventh place. By My Standards has won two Grade 2 stakes this year for trainer Bret Calhoun. The 4-year-old bay son of two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Goldencents registered victories in the New Orleans Handicap and the Oaklawn Handicap before finishing second to Tom's d'Etat in the Stephen Foster.

Juddmonte Farms' 4-year-old Tacitus (92 votes), in eighth place, ended a long winless drought in his last start, rolling to a 8 ¾-length victory in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on July 4. His trainer, Bill Mott, has saddled Breeders' Cup Classic winners Cigar (1995) and Drosselmeyer (2011).

R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stable's 4-year-old Vekoma, is next in ninth place with 83 votes. Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma is unbeaten in three starts this year, two of those being Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races at shorter distances. The chestnut son of Candy Ride (ARG) won both the Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1), for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), and the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1), for the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Rounding out the top 10 is the 4-year-old Improbable (82 votes), owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing. Trained by Bob Baffert, Improbable won the 1 ¼-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita on June 6.

Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings – July 21, 2020*

RANK	HORSE	TOTAL VOTES	FIRST-PLACE VOTES
1	Tom's d'Etat	292	17
2	Maximum Security	243	9
3	Tiz the Law	210	2
4	Code of Honor	200	2
5	Midnight Bisou	174	3
6	Honor A. P.	125	0
7	By My Standards	122	0
8	Tacitus	92	0
9	Vekoma	83	1
10	Improbable	82	0

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