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Breeders' Cup Contenders

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2017 Breeders' Cup Pre-Entries and Entries

BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - 6th Race, Post Time 2:25 pm (PT)/5:25 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old fillies to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Best Performance   Christophe Clement   Jose Ortiz   12-1
2   Happily (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   9-2
3   Now You're Talking (IRE)   Joseph O'Brien   Wayne Lordan   30-1
4   Madeline (IRE)   Roger Varian   Andrea Atzeni   20-1
5   Ultima D   Wesley A. Ward   Tyler Gaffalione   12-1
6   Orbolution   Todd A. Pletcher   John Velazquez   20-1
7   Capla Temptress (IRE)   William I. Mott   Joel Rosario   6-1
8   Significant Form   Chad C. Brown   Irad Ortiz Jr.   8-1
9   Fatale Bere (FR)   Leonard Powell   Kent Desormeaux   15-1
10   September (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Seamie Heffernan   6-1
11   Rushing Fall   Chad C. Brown   Javier Castellano   7-2
12   Dixie Moon   Catherine Day Phillips   Eurico Rosa da Silva   20-1
13   Juliet Capulet (IRE)   John H.M. Gosden   Frankie Dettori   12-1
14   Moon Dash   Michael Stidham   Mike Smith   15-1
                 
AE   Retro   Richard E. Mandella   Flavien Prat    
AE   Goodthingstaketime (IRE)   James Stack   Florent Geroux    

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile - 7th Race, Post Time 3:05 pm (PT)/6:05 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP DIRT MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Iron Fist   Steven M. Asmussen   Ricardo Santana Jr.   12-1
2   Giant Expectations   Peter A. Eurton   Gary Stevens   12-1
3   Sharp Azteca   Jorge Navarro   Paco Lopez   9-2
4   Gato Del Oro   Richard Baltas   Jose Ortiz   30-1
5   Awesome Slew   Mark E. Casse   John Velazquez   12-1
6   Mor Spirit   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   3-1
7   Cupid   Bob Baffert   Rafael Bejarano   8-1
8   Accelerate   John W. Sadler   Victor Espinoza   7-2
9   Battle of Midway   Jerry Hollendorfer   Flavien Prat   10-1
10   Practical Joke   Chad C. Brown   Joel Rosario   6-1

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf - 8th Race, Post Time 3:50 pm (PT)/6:50 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF (GI) is a one mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Mendelssohn   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   8-1
2   Untamed Domain   H. Graham Motion   Jose Ortiz   8-1
3   Sands of Mali (FR)   Richard A. Fahey   Flavien Prat   30-1
4   Catholic Boy   Jonathan Thomas   Manuel Franco   12-1
5   Beckford (GB)   Gordon Elliott   Joel Rosario   8-1
6   Masar (IRE)   Charlie Appleby   William Buick   9-2
7   James Garfield (IRE)   W.J. Gredley & T C O Gredley   Frankie Dettori   6-1
8   Voting Control   Chad C. Brown   Javier Castellano   8-1
9   Encumbered   Simon Callaghan   Mario Gutierrez   15-1
10   Flameaway   Mark E. Casse   Julien Leparoux   20-1
11   Snapper Sinclair   Steven M. Asmussen   Ricardo Santana Jr.   15-1
12   Hemp Hemp Hurray   Wesley A. Ward   John Velazquez   8-1
13   My Boy Jack   J. Keith Desormeaux   Kent Desormeaux   8-1
14   Rajasinghe (IRE)   Richard Spencer   Stevie Donohoe   30-1
                 
AE   Tap Daddy   Steven M. Asmussen   Florent Geroux   20-1
AE   Pubilius Syrus   Vladimir Cerin   Flavien Prat   20-1

Breeders' Cup Distaff - 9th Race, Post Time 4:35 pm (PT)/7:25 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF (GI) is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Champagne Room   Peter A. Eurton   Mario Gutierrez   15-1
2   Stellar Wind   John W. Sadler   Victor Espinoza   5-2
3   Mopotism   Doug F. O'Neill   Franki Dettori   30-1
4   Abel Tasman   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   4-1
5   Elate   William I. Mott   Jose Ortiz   3-1
6   Forever Unbridled   Dallas Stewart   John Velazquez   4-1
7   Paradise Woods   Richard E. Mandella   Flavien Prat   9-2
8   Romantic Vision   George R. Arnold II   Brian Hernandez Jr.   15-1

 

BREEDERS' CUP SATURDAY

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies - 4th Race, Post Time 12:00 pm (PT)/3:00 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (GI) is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Heavenly Love   Mark E. Casse   Julien Leparoux   9-2
2   Tell Your Mama   Robert B. Hess Jr.   Kent Desormeaux   30-1
3   Princess Warrior   Kenneth G. McPeek   Brian Hernandez Jr.   12-1
4   Gio Game   Mark E. Casse   Manuel Franco   15-1
5   Blonde Bomber   Stanley Gold   Jose Lezcano   20-1
6   Stainless   Todd A. Pletcher   John Velazquez   20-1
7   Moonshine Memories   Simon Callaghan   Flavien Prat   7-2
8   Piedi Bianchi   Doug F. O'Neill   Mario Gutierrez   15-1
9   Alluring Star   Bob Baffert   Joe Talamo   6-1
10   Maya Malibu   H. Graham Motion   Javier Castellano   20-1
11   Wonder Gadot   Mark E. Casse   Patrick Husbands   8-1
12   Caledonia Road   Ralph E. Nicks   Mike Smith   15-1
13   Separationofpowers   Chad C. Brown   Jose Ortiz   4-1

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint - 5th Race, Post Time 12:37 pm (PT)/3:37 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT (GI) is a five furlong race for 3-year-olds and up to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Disco Partner   Christophe Clement   Irad Ortiz Jr.   9-2
2   Holding Gold   Mark E. Casse   Manuel Franco   15-1
3   Lady Aurelia   Wesley A. Ward   John Velazquez   5-2
4   Stormy Liberal   Peter Miller   Joel Rosario   12-1
5   Washington DC (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   20-1
6   Marsha (IRE)   Sir Mark Prescott   Luke Morris   7-2
7   Richard's Boy   Peter Miller   Flavien Prat   10-1
8   Cotai Glory (GB)   Charles Hills   Oisin Murphy   20-1
9   Mongolian Saturday   Enebish Ganbat   Florent Geroux   20-1
10   Hogy   Michael J. Maker   Jose Ortiz   12-1
11   Bucchero   Tim Glyshaw   Fernando de la Cruz   12-1
12   Pure Sensation   Christophe Clement   Kendrick Carmouche   20-1
                 
AE   Guns Loaded   Doug F. O'Neill   Rafael Bejarano   20-1
AE   Paquita Coqueta (CHI)   Chad Summers   Corey Nakatani   20-1

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint - 6th Race, Post Time 1:14 pm (PT)/4:14 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT (GI) is a seven furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, fillies & mares. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Carina Mia   Chad C. Brown   Javier Castellano   12-1
2   Paulassilverlining   Chad C. Brown   Jose Ortiz   8-1
3   Curlin's Approval   Happy Alter   Luis Saez   20-1
4   Finest City   Ian Kruljac   Corey Naktani   12-1
5   Bar of Gold   John C. Kimmel   Irad Ortiz Jr.   30-1
6   Proper Discretion   Philip D'Amato   Kent Desormeaux   30-1
7   By the Moon   Michelle Nevin   Rajiv Maragh   12-1
8   Constellation   Bob Baffert   Flavien Prat   15-1
9   Finley'sluckycharm   W. Bret Calhoun   Brian Hernandez Jr.   6-1
10   Highway Star   Rodrigo A. Ubillo   Angel Arroyo   15-1
11   Unique Bella   Jerry Hollendorfer   Mike Smith   9-5
12   Skye Diamonds   William Spawr   Tiago Pereira?   5-1
13   Princess Karen   Jeffrey L. Bonde   Julien Leparoux   20-1
14   Ami's Mesa   Josie Carroll   Luis Contreras   20-1

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - 7th Race, Post Time 2:00 pm (PT)/5:00 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF (GI) is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   War Flag   Claude R. McGaughey III   Jose Ortiz   12-1
2   Senga   Pascal F. Bary   Stephane Pasquier   20-1
3   Birdie Gold   Gary Mandella   Mike Smith   30-1
4   Zipessa   Michael Stidham   Joe Bravo   20-1
5   Wuheida (GB)   Charlie Appleby   William Buick   20-1
6   Cambodia   Thomas F. Proctor   Drayden Van Dyke   8-1
7   Dacita (CHI)   Chad C. Brown   Joel Rosario   8-1
8   Grand Jete (GB)   Chad C. Brown   Javier Castellano   6-1
9   Lady Eli   Chad C. Brown   Irad Ortiz Jr.   5-2
10   Queen's Trust (GB)   Sir Michael R. Stoute   Frankie Dettori   12-1
11   Nezwaah (GB)   Roger Varian   Andrea Atzeni   20-1
12   Avenge   Richard E. Mandella   Flavien Prat   8-1
13   Goodyearforroses (IRE)   Richard Baltas   Corey Nakatani   12-1
14   Rhododendron (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   8-1
                 
AE   Kitten's Roar   Michael J. Maker   Jose Ortiz   20-1
AE   Responsibleforlove (IRE)   Neil D. Drysdale   Joe Talamo   20-1

TwinSpires.com Breeders' Cup Sprint - 8th Race, Post Time 2:37 pm (PT)/5:37 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT (GI) is a six furlong race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1.5 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Calculator   Peter Miller   John Velazquez   20-1
2   Drefong   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   5-2
3   American Pastime   Robert B. Hess Jr.   Corey Nakatani   12-1
4   B Squared   Doug F. O'Neill   Mario Gutierrez   30-1
5   Whitmore   Ron Moquett   Manuel Franco   15-1
6   Mind Your Biscuits   Chad Summers   Joel Rosario   6-1
7   Takaful   Kiaran P. McLaughlin   Jose Ortiz   5-1
8   Roy H   Peter Miller   Kent Desormeaux   7-2
9   Ransom the Moon   Philip D'Amato   Flavien Prat   12-1
10   Imperial Hint   Luis Carvajal Jr.   Javier Castellano   9-2

Breeders' Cup Mile - 9th Race, Post Time 3:19 pm (PT)/6:19 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP MILE (GI) is a one mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Midnight Storm   Philip D'Amato   Tyler Baze   15-1
2   Heart to Heart   Brian A. Lynch   Julien Leparoux   6-1
3   Mr. Roary   George Papaprodromou   Tyler Conner   30-1
4   Lancaster Bomber   Aidan P. O'Brien   Seamie Heffernan   20-1
5   World Approval   Mark E. Casse   John Velazquez   9-2
6   Zelzal (FR)   Jean-Claude Rouget   Gregory Benoist   20-1
7   Om   Dan L. Hendricks   Drayden Van Dyke   20-1
8   Suedois (FR)   David O'Meara   Daniel Tudhope   6-1
9   Home of The Brave (IRE)   Hugo Palmer   Mike Smith   20-1
10   Ribchester (IRE)   Richard A. Fahey   William Buick   7-2
11   Ballagh Rocks   William I. Mott   Jose Lezcano   12-1
12   Roly Poly   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   6-1
13   Blackjackcat   Mark Glatt   Kent Desormeaux   15-1
14   Karar (GB)   Francis-Henri Graffard   Frankie Dettori   15-1

Breeders' Cup Juvenile - 10th Race, Post Time 3:58 pm (PT)/6:58 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE (GI) is a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $2 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   U S Navy Flag   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   8-1
2   Solomini   Bob Baffert   Flavien Prat   6-1
3   Firenze Fire   Jason Servis   Irad Ortiz Jr.   6-1
4   Givemeaminit   Dallas Stewart   Javier Castellano   20-1
5   Free Drop Billy   Dale L. Romans   Robby Albarado   5-1
6   Good Magic   Chad C. Brown   Jose Ortiz   8-1
7   The Tabulator   Larry Rivelli   Jose Valdivia Jr.   20-1
8   Bahamian   Simon Callaghan   Mario Gutierrez   30-1
9   Hazit   Todd A. Pletcher   John Velazquez   20-1
10   Golden Dragon   Mikhail Yanakov   Evin Roman   30-1
11   Bolt d'Oro   Mick Ruis   Corey Nakatani   9-5
12   Hollywood Star   Dale L. Romans   Joel Rosario   15-1

Breeders' Cup Turf - 11th Race, Post Time 4:37 pm (PT)/7:37 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP TURF (GI) is a 1 1/2-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, to be run on the turf. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $4 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Talismanic (GB)   Andre Fabre   Mickael Barzalona   15-1
2   Bullards Alley   Tim Glyshaw   Javier Castellano   15-1
3   Highland Reel (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   5-1
4   Decorated Knight (GB)   Roger Charlton   Andrea Atzeni   15-1
5   Ulysses (IRE)   Sir Michael R. Stoute   Frankie Dettori   7-2
6   Cliffs of Moher (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Wayne Lordan   20-1
7   Itsinthepost (FR)   Jeff Mullins   Tyler Baze   15-1
8   Bigger Picture   Michael J. Maker   John Velazquez   15-1
9   Seventh Heaven (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Seamie Heffernan   20-1
10   Fanciful Angel (IRE)   Chad C. Brown   Irad Ortiz Jr.   12-1
11   Hunt (IRE)   Philip D'Amato   Flavien Prat   15-1
12   Beach Patrol   Chad C. Brown   Joel Rosario   4-1
13   Sadler's Joy   Thomas Albertrani   Julien Leparoux   12-1
14   Oscar Performance   Brian A. Lynch   Jose Ortiz   10-1

Breeders' Cup Classic - 12th Race, Post Time 5:35 pm (PT)/8:35 pm (ET)

The BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC (GI) is a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $6 million, including travel awards.

PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Arrogate   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   2-1
2   War Decree   Aidan P. O'Brien   Seamie Heffernan   30-1
3   Win the Space   George Papaprodromou   Joe Talamo   30-1
4   War Story   Jorge Navarro   Jose Ortiz   30-1
5   Gun Runner   Steven M. Asmussen   Florent Geroux   9-5
6   Mubtaahij (IRE)   Bob Baffert   Drayden Van Dyke   12-1
7   Churchill (IRE)   Aidan P. O'Brien   Ryan Moore   15-1
8   West Coast   Bob Baffert   Javier Castellano   6-1
9   Gunnevera   Antonio Sano   Edgard Zayas   30-1
10   Pavel   Doug F. O'Neill   Mario Gutierrez   20-1
11   Collected   Bob Baffert   Martin Garcia   6-1

 

2017 Breeders' Cup Classic Contenders

Collected

Collected won the 2017 Pacific Classic which is a Breeders' Cup Challenge 'Win and You're In' race. Trained by Bob Baffert and typically ridden by martin Garcia, the City Zip chestnut colt defeated both Arrogate and Accelerate. Of his 11 starts, Collected has earned 8 wins, 1 place and 0 shows to earn a lifetime total of $1.26 million.

Diversify

Diversify won the 2017 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Keeneland with hot jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr aboard. Trained by Richard Violette, Jr, the Bellamy Road bay gelding has earned $775,425 entering the Breeders' Cup Classic. A strong record of 10-7-2-0 presents a compelling resume of success.

Gun Runner

Probable Breeders' Cup Odds on favorite, Gun Runner, has not won one, but TWO Challenge races entering Breeders' Cup weekend. The 2017 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs and The Whitney at Saratoga boosted his lifetime earnings to over $5.6 million. The chestnut Candy Ride (ARG) colt has a record of 17 starts for 10-3-2 finishes in the money.

Mubtaahij (IRE)

Globe trotter and Kentucky Derby contender Mubtaahij (IRE) clinched a birth into the Breeders' Cup Classic with his win in the 2017 Awesome Again Stakes. An Irish bred Bay horse by Dubai (IRE), Mubtaahij has started 18 times, with 5 wins - 4 places - 1 show to earn a lifetime total of over $4.5 million.

Arrogate

Gunnevera

Keen Ice

Pavel

War Decree

Win the Space

West Coast

 

2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders

The field for the Breeders’ Cup Classic varies each year. For the 2016 rendition, there will be nine contenders vying for the chance to win the marquee race at the World Championships. This year’s starters will be highlighted by established legend California Chrome and newcomer Arrogate.

The list of 2016 Breeders’ Cup Stakes contenders is listed below. The race will run on Saturday, November 5th out of Santa Anita Park.

California Chrome
No horse has had a stronger 2016 campaign than California Chrome. The 2014 Horse of the Year returned from injury capture a Meydan Handicap, the Dubai World Cup, San Diego Handicap, Pacific Classic and the Awesome Again Stakes in rampant succession. During this run, he demoralized known opponents like Dortmund Keen Ice and Hoppertunity but also managed to best Beholder in the Pacific Classic. He will enter the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic with the experience, maturity and talent that few rivals can match. California Chrome is the even money favorite.

Arrogate
Arrogate has surged in to the spotlight after a masterful performance in his stakes debut at the Travers, where he posted the fastest winning time in that race’s history. Not only that, but the Bob Baffert trained star completely dusted some of the best known three-year-old colts of this year’s class including Gun Runner, Creator, Destin and Exaggerator. Though the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be just his second major challenge at the top level, many expect him to give California Chrome a serious run for his money. Arrogate could truly be the best colt in the country. Some have gone as far to say that he is the best racehorse currently in the sport.

Melatonin
Melatonin is a five-year-old gelding who shocked everyone with a win in the 2016 Santa Anita Handicap and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. His win in the latter produced a time of 1:59.79 over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, meaning that he has the pace to really upset the balance of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trainer David Hofmans will have to hope for his best, which might not be a problem. The only loss that Melatonin suffered was as a runner-up in the Oaklawn Handicap to Effinex. His connections will be hoping that running at Santa Anita Park will supply Melatonin with the home track advantage he needs.

Keen Ice
The popular Donegal Racing product will run in his second Breeders’ Cup Classic after finishing fourth last year. Since then he has had an up-and-down season, which included a tough trip in the Dubai World Cup where he finished eighth. Keen Ice has his fan base and is also a son of Curlin, but it will be tough for him to keep pace with the two favorites. Oddsmakers have him pegged as a longshot in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He has plenty of experience, and is still the only horse to have beaten American Pharoah.

Hoppertunity
Few horses produce as steadily as Hoppertunity. Since finishing fifth during a maiden special weight in 2014, Hoppertunity has never fallen below fourth overall and has wins in the 2014 Rebel Stakes, 2014 Clark Handicap and 2015 San Pasqual Stakes to his name. While always a competitor at heart, Hoppertunity has the auspicious honor of losing to California Chrome on five different occasions. Barring a miracle, the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic may be his sixth.

Frosted
Frosted is one of the strongest offspring to come out of leading sire Tapit, which is why the oddsmakers are likely to keep him in the proverbial mix. It helps that Frosted has spent the 2016 season having quite the resurgence. He won the Al Maktoun Challenge Round 2 at Meydan before finishing fifth in the Dubai World Cup. Returning stateside, the Godolphin product torched the Metropolitan Handicap and Whitney before behind upended in the Woodward Stakes during his final prep for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Will that third place finish at the Woodward haunt him, or is he ready to rebound and show his winning form once again?

Effinex
Effinex was the runner-up to American Pharoah in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and returns to give it yet another try. He has had a strong season, which included wins in the Oaklawn Handicap and the Suburban Handicap along with a runner-up finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Effinex also suffered unfortunate outings in the Stephen Foster Handicap, where he placed sixth, as well as a fourth place finish in the Whitney. This is still the same horse that had a marvelous 2015 season that included a 4-1-1 record in 7 starts, so there’s always hope that he could flash his best on the biggest stage.

Win The Space
If there was ever a horse looking for a breakthrough moment, it’s likely Win The Space. The four-year-old opened the year with a win in an allowance, but then fell to second in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita before finishing third in the San Diego Handicap. He trailed all the way to ninth in the Pacific Classic but warded off fears of his regression by running to third in the Awesome Again Stakes.

War Story
War Story started his campaign late, but won an allowance handedly before heading to the Pacific Classic where he could not compete with the three-headed behemoth of Caliofrnia Chrome, Beholder and Dortmund. He finished seventh in that race, and may not fare much better considering how stiff the competition is in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Oddsmakers are sure to peg him as a longshot.

 

2015 Breeders' Cup Contenders

Last year's expected match-up between Triple Crown hero American Pharoah and multiple champion mare Beholder in the Breeders' Cup Classic, unfortunately, failed to materialize.

But while American Pharoah headed off the breeding shed, Beholder returned in 2016 and is on course for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, where she'll meet fellow popular champion Songbird.

However, the main discussion at this point is thus: who can stop California Chrome?

The 2014 Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby winner has racked up win after win, including an effortless victory in the Dubai World Cup, and easily held defending champion Beholder by five lengths in the Pacific Classic. California Chrome gets the home field advantage, as the Breeders’ Cup Championships will be held at Santa Anita Park in 2016.

The brilliant chestnut’s main rivals in the older division currently stand with Frosted, Mubtaahij, Shaman Ghost, Hoppertunity and Dortmund.

The three-year-old division could have an impact on the Classic as well, but regardless of that whoever does best in the race may just end up crowned champion three-year-old male. This year’s Triple Crown season saw Nyquist, Exaggerator and Creator win the respective Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Throw in newcomer Arrogate’s track-record setting performance in the Travers Stakes, and the three-year-old division is anyone’s game right now.

The three-year-old filly division looks to be sewn up by Songbird, who has yet to taste defeat. She’ll face a stiff test in the Distaff against older runners like Beholder and Stellar Wind, who handed Beholder a loss in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes in late July. The Distaff could also include other sophomore runners such as Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia.

Flintshire is on course to try the Breeders’ Cup Turf for a second time, having just missed by a half-length in the 2014 running, and could see some familiar faces in the form of World Approval and Twilight Eclipse lining up.

Champion Tepin is readying for a title defense run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which she captured last year over Mondialiste. That latter runner has come back this year to take the 1 1/4-mile Arlington Million and could go in either the Mile or Turf.

The sprinting division seems to have found a new star in A. P. Indian, easy winner of both the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and Forego Stakes at Saratoga. Ballerina Stakes vixen Haveyougoneaway seems destined for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, as does By the Moon and defending champion Wavell Avenue.

The two juvenile races, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies, will likely decide championship honors for those two divisions. Sweet Loretta and Pretty City Dancer would have to ship to California from their East Coast bases, but American Pharoah’s two-year-old full sister, American Cleopatra, will be on her home ground in the Juvenile Fillies.

Del Mar Futurity victor Klimt would also be running out of his stall if he goes in the Juvenile for trainer Bob Baffert, while Practical Joke would have to hop plane to get from his trainer’s New York shedrow to California.