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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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TVG’s Weekend Coverage Features Racing From Ascot, Del Mar

On Saturday morning, international racing fans can tune into TVG, America's horse racing network, to watch champion Enable (GB) make a bid for a historic third win in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (GI) from Ascot. The race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. ET/7:35 a.m. PT.

TVG's Scott Hazelton will be covering the race live from his home in Kentucky. The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (GI) is part of the “Win and You're In” Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and the winner will earn an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf (GI). The 2020 Breeders' Cup will be held November 6-7 at Keeneland. Enable (GB), the heroine of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf (GI), won this race in 2017 and 2019. Trained by John Gosden with regular rider Frankie Dettori in the irons, the six-year-old mare is set to face three rivals from trainer Aidan O'Brien including multiple Group 1 winner Japan (GB).

TVG will be live on site at Del Mar covering a loaded weekend of racing featuring seven stakes races from Friday through Sunday including the $150,000 San Diego Handicap (GII), the $150,000 San Clemente Stakes (GII) and the $200,000 Eddie Read Stakes (GII). There will be expert analysis and exclusive interviews from Todd Schrupp, Mike Joyce and Joaquin Jamie alongside Britney Eurton and Simon Bray who will be contributing to the broadcast remotely. Del Mar has also added a card on Monday, July 27.

The San Diego Handicap (GII) will feature the return of 2019 Eclipse Award winner Maximum Security. The multiple Grade 1 winner will be making his first start since transferring to trainer Bob Baffert and will have Abel Cedillo in the irons for the first time. Maximum Security will face five rivals, including the 2019 TVG Pacific Classic (GI) champion Higher Power, in the 1 1/16 mile contest which is being used as a prep race for the $500,000 TVG Pacific Classic (GI) on August 22.

TVG will also be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Monmouth Park and more all weekend.

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$1 Million ‘Win And You’re In’ Haskell Headlines TVG’s Weekend Coverage

TVG, America's horse racing network, will be live on site at Monmouth Park this weekend to feature the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (GI) as well as a loaded card featuring four additional graded stakes races.

The TVG.com Haskell (GI), a premier race for three-year-olds, will offer the winner both points towards a spot in the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby (GI) in September and an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) as part of the Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge Series. The 2020 Breeders' Cup will be held November 6-7 at Keeneland.

The field for the TVG Haskell (GI) includes multiple graded stakes winner Authentic who will be trying to give trainer Bob Baffert his ninth victory in the Haskell. Authentic was last seen finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (GI). Also in the field is Belmont Stakes (GI) runner-up Dr Post for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Joe Bravo, a thirteen-time leading rider at Monmouth Park. Post time for the TVG.com Haskell (GI) is set for 5:45 p.m. ET.

Monmouth Park will also host the $300,000 United Nations Stakes (GI) on Saturday which will be run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. The race has drawn a field of nine including Arklow, a multiple graded stakes winner with over $1.8 million in career earnings. Trained by Brad Cox, the six-year-old son of Arch will have Mike Smith aboard.

There will be expert analysis and exclusive interviews on-site at Monmouth Park from Tom Cassidy and Matt Carothers.

In addition to Monmouth Park, TVG will be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more all weekend.

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‘Extremely Fast’ Authentic Brings Baffert Back To Jersey Shore; Hall Of Famer Seeks Ninth Haskell Victory

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won Monmouth Park's Haskell a record eight times, though not since 2015 with Triple Crown champion American Pharoah. Baffert took a moment to reflect on Pharoah's trip to the Jersey Shore during Wednesday's media teleconference organized by the NTRA.

“I remember bringing Pharoah in there, and I was really nervous,” said Baffert. “We were all really nervous; the Zayat family brought like 200 friends. I didn't want to get the Triple Crown winner beat.

“It was such an exciting visual, the horses were getting ready to go in the gate, and the place was packed, and all of the sudden somebody said, 'look down at the rail.' I'd never seen anything like it, I'd never seen it before, but the jockey's room was emptied out and all the jockeys were out there to watch him run.

“It was such a wonderful experience. American Pharoah brought so much joy to everyone that day.”

Baffert's other Haskell wins came in 2014 (Bayern), 2012 (Paynter), 2011 (Coil), 2010 (Lookin at Lucky), 2005 (Roman Ruler), 2002 (War Emblem) and 2001 (Point Given).

This year, Baffert will be seeking his ninth win in the 1 1/8-mile contest with 4-5 morning-line favorite Authentic, owned by Spendthrift Farm, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing, and MyRacehorse.com. The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief will face a field of six rivals in the $1 million contest, which awards the winner both 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Authentic won the first three starts of his career, including the G2 San Felipe Stakes, before finishing second behind Honor A. P. in last month's G1 Santa Anita Derby.

“He came into the race, I think he was a little bit fresh,” Baffert said. “I backed off of him, because I didn't know when they were going to run the Santa Anita Derby. You know, we like to make excuses for the horses, they're like our children.

“He didn't have a great trip, he was a little wide and he just got tired … But since then, he's been training really well, and I think he couldn't be doing any better.”

Authentic will be ridden by Mike Smith from post position two this Saturday. The colt arrived at Monmouth late Tuesday evening, and galloped over the track on Wednesday.

“He shipped well, he settled in well,” Baffert said. “[Assistant trainer] Jimmy [Barnes] said he went to the track today and he just floated over it.”

Earlier in this unusual 2020 season, Baffert had hoped to send Charlatan to the Haskell, but that colt came up with filling in a front ankle and recently underwent a successful surgery to remove a bone chip. The Arkansas Derby winner is expected to return to Baffert's barn in mid-to-late August, and will likely not make either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes, but could run in the Breeders' Cup.

“We've had some horses get injured, unfortunately, and it changed everything,” Baffert said. “But I thought this horse, Authentic, would be a perfect fit (for the Haskell). He's an extremely fast horse and he's a good horse.”

The field for the 53rd Haskell Stakes:

1. Dr Post Todd Pletcher Joe Bravo 5-2

2. Authentic Bob Baffert Mike Smith 4-5

3. Jesus' Team Jose D'Angelo Nik Juarez 15-1

4. Ancient Warrior Jerry Hollendorfer Trevor McCarthy 20-1

5. Fame to Famous John P. McAllen Jose C. Ferrer 30-1

6. Lebda Claudio Gonzalez Alex Cintron 20-1

7. Ny Traffic Saffie Joseph, Jr. Paco Lopez 7-2

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