The $6 million Classic is the centerpiece of a two-day, 14-race Breeders’ Cup program at Santa Anita, and a well-matched field will contest the 1 ¼-mile event. Let’s compare the last three BRIS Speed ratings of Classic winners this decade and 2019 contenders.
Breeders’ Cup Classic winners (2010-18)
Accelerate: | 106 |
114 | |
111 | |
Gun Runner: | 114 |
107 | |
107 | |
Arrogate: | 124 |
97 | |
100 | |
American Pharoah: | 100 |
104 | |
109 | |
Bayern: | 109 |
80 | |
106 | |
Mucho Macho Man: | 113 |
100 | |
100 | |
Fort Larned: | 111 |
109 | |
106 | |
Drosselmeyer: | 109 |
92 | |
102 | |
Blame: | 112 |
108 | |
102 |
Speed Rating Analysis:
Every Classic winner received a BRIS Speed number of 109 or higher in the last three preps.
Every Classic winner registered (at least) a pair of triple-digit Speed ratings.
Seven of the last nine Classic winners posted an improved Speed rating in final prep.
2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders (alphabetical)
Code of Honor: | 108 |
108 | |
93 | |
Elate: | 101 |
98 | |
104 | |
Higher Power: | 96 |
110 | |
89 | |
Math Wizard: | 100 |
84 | |
99 | |
McKinzie: | 102 |
109 | |
103 | |
Mongolian Groom: | 105 |
98 | |
104 | |
Owendale: | 103 |
103 | |
99 | |
Seeking the Soul: | 95 |
91 | |
104 | |
Vino Rosso: | 107 |
101 | |
102 | |
War of Will: | 99 |
93 | |
94 | |
Yoshida: | 102 |
107 | |
94 |
Speed Rating Analysis:
Higher Power (110) and McKInzie (109) are the only Classic contenders to post at least a 109 BRIS Speed rating.
Higher Power, Math Wizard, Seeking the Soul and War of Will have failed to register a pair of triple digit Speed figures.
Code of Honor, Higher Power, McKinzie, Owendale and Yoshida earned a declining Speed rating in the final prep.