Meet the Contenders: 2024 Breeders Cup Classic
Arthur's Ride wins the Whitney at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
October 28th, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well.
Arthur's Ride wins the Whitney at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#1 Arthur’s Ride ***
Pro: Turned in one of the best efforts of the season in winning the Whitney (G1).
Con: Came back to earth in Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1); need-the-lead type.
City of Troy getting a workout in before Breeders' Cup Weekend (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#2 City of Troy *****
Pro: Europe’s best three-year-old has lost only once; son of Triple Crown winner.
Con: Although bred to handle dirt, ability over it still a big question.
Derma Sotogake (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#3 Derma Sotogake ***
Pro: Second-best in this race last year at big odds.
Con: Enters this edition in much weaker form.
Fierceness wins the Floridia Derby at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#4 Fierceness *****
Pro: Reclaimed control of three-year-old race with big win in Travers (G1).
Con: Not immune to throwing a clunker at short odds.
Forever Young (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#5 Forever Young ****
Pro: Narrowly missed winning Kentucky Derby (G1) for Japan; prepped solidly.
Con: Form among top three in the Derby hasn’t quite held up this season.
Highland Falls (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#6 Highland Falls ***
Pro: Cruised in Jockey Club Gold Cup and well-built for 1 1/4 miles.
Con: Worst finish in nine starts occurred in lone previous trip to California.
Trainer @bradcoxracing provides insight on his 4 Breeders' Cup contenders backside at Del Mar with @TheBrownAndrew.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 29, 2024
🏇 Immersive
🏇 Highland Falls
🏇 Saudi Crown
🏇 Federal Judge pic.twitter.com/46aTkGExsF
#7 Mixto *
Pro: Earned 108 Brisnet Speed rating upsetting Pacific Classic (G1).
Con: Candidate to bounce off that race, arguably the weakest renewal in its history.
Newgate (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#8 Newgate ***
Pro: Solid form this season outside Dubai, albeit against relatively modest competition.
Con: Needs to find more in these deeper waters.
Next winning the Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx Racing (Photo by Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)
#9 Next ****
Pro: America’s top marathoner is plenty fast enough to win on the figures.
Con: Connections have so far avoided tougher spots like these; tested for class here.
Senor Buscador (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#10 Senor Buscador **
Pro: Landed world’s richest race last winter; better than last couple suggests.
Con: No factor in this race last year, and this edition has more depth on paper.
Sierra Leone workout at Saratoga ahead of the Belmont S. (G1) (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#11 Sierra Leone ***
Pro: Has been there or thereabouts all year and a true 10-furlong type.
Con: Has promised more than he’s delivered throughout the spring and summer.
Skippylongstocking wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
#12 Skippylongstocking **
Pro: Has his moments at times, including win in Oaklawn H. (G2) over Highland Falls.
Con: Threw away big lead in Woodward (G2) last time in not the kind of prep you want.
Tapit Trice romps in an allowance at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
#13 Tapit Trice ***
Pro: Dazzled in Monmouth Cup (G3) and later rebounded off bad loss to take Woodward.
Con: Inconsistency over last couple of seasons is the main knock against
Ushba Tesoro (Photo by Tomoya Moriuchi/Horsephotos.com)
#14 Ushba Tesoro ***
Pro: Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) runner-up; respectable fifth in this last year.
Con: As a seven-year-old, has far more miles on him than other players.
Pyrenees (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#15 Pyrenees **
Pro: Excellent form this year, winning Pimlico Special (G3) and placing twice at G1 level.
Con: Does not appear to have quickened appreciably since last year.
Ben Ali (G3) hero Rattle N Roll capped a three-win day for Brian Hernandez Jr. (Photo by Coady Media)
#16 Rattle N Roll *
Pro: Distance surely no problem and could move forward some off Lukas Classic (G2) third.
Con: Has raced but once this year; entered in Oct. 26 Fayette (G2) at Keeneland.
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