California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) drew post four and was installed the even-money favorite for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic as he looks to cap an unbeaten 2016 season at Santa Anita Saturday. The draw drew cheers and thumbs up from his connections during Monday's draw ceremony in Santa Anita's Chandelier Room.
“Victor [Espinoza] and I were talking about the draw and he told me that it really didn't matter to him which post we got,” trainer Art Sherman said. “We've all got that long run into the first turn; I agree with him. This horse is ready. He's better now than he's ever been.”
That could be bad news for the nine rivals lining up against the strapping chestnut, already winner of this year's G1 Dubai World Cup, GI Pacific Classic and GI Awesome Again S.
Juddmonte's sophomore star Arrogate (Unbridled's Song), off since his sparkling victory in the Aug. 27 GI Travers S., takes on the challenge as the 5-2 second choice on the morning line and breaks from post 10.
“I never like any draw until after I win,” trainer Bob Baffert, who will also saddle Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) to break from post nine in the Classic, admitted.
“But it's all right. A lot will depend on the break [for Arrogate especially],” Baffert continued. “But it's a long run to the turn and it'll get sorted out. At least we're not in the one hole where if they don't break someone will shut them off. I didn't want to be in the one hole with all those horses on top of you. But it's all up to Mike Smith and John Velazquez.”
East coast challenger Frosted (Tapit), dominant winner of the June 11 GI Metropolitan H. and Aug. 6
GI Whitney S., will look to rebound from a third-place finish in the Sept. 3 GI Woodward S. The Godolphin homebred breaks from post two and is 5-1 on the morning line.
“We're happy,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “We'll save some ground. There weren't any bad posts. We're OK. We're just happy to be in the race.”
In the star-packed GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, highlight of Friday's championship card, unbeaten Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) is the 6-5 favorite and breaks from post one.
“She just jumps away from the gate so quickly, that drawing the rail really should have no effect on her,” said jockey Mike Smith. “I think she's the natural speed in the race to start with. It's pretty straight forward.”
Songbird is one of three Eclipse champions in the eight-horse Distaff field. Spendthrift Farm's three-time champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) drew the outside post and is 5-2.
“With Beholder, it's nice to get off the rail, but I am a bigger believer in good luck than a good post; so we are hoping for good luck,” trainer Richard Mandella commented.
Stellar Wind (Curlin), who has beaten Beholder in their last two meetings, in the July 30 GI Clement L. Hirsch S. and in the Oct. 1 GI Zenyatta S., breaks from post five and is also at 5-2.
“Stellar Wind, she's doing great and the post position is great,” jockey Victor Espinoza said of last year's champion sophomore filly. “I really like my chances.”
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