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War Emblem favored in Breeders' Cup Classic

Ridden by Larry Damore, War Emblem runs workouts in the mud at Arlington Park Race course on Friday. AP

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois (AP) -- Aidan O'Brien looks around his barn at Arlington Park, where millions of dollars' worth of horses are awaiting the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The Irish trainer has favorites in the Mile (Rock of Gibraltar) and the Turf (High Chaparral), along with three talented 2-year-olds in the Juvenile. He says his team is ready to go.

"This is the Olympics of racing," O'Brien says. "We look forward to this every year."

From O'Brien's formidable international entourage all the way to Ruby's Reception, a $12,000 yearling purchase entered in the Juvenile Fillies, a total of 90 horses will compete Saturday for more than just prestige and vast amounts of money in the Breeders' Cup.

The eight-race championship, making its first appearance in Chicago on what was predicted to be a cloudy day with temperatures in the 50s (10-15 degrees Celsius), will also play a significant role in determining year-end honors, including Horse of the Year. Temporary bleachers were installed and a sellout crowd of 45,000 was expected.

The $4 million Classic includes Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, who could wrap up racing's top award with a victory over 11 rivals in the final race of his career.

"We've done all we can," trainer Bob Baffert said. "If he runs his race, he's the man."

Medaglia d'Oro, winner of the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes, and Pacific Classic winner Came Home could be the biggest threats to the front-running War Emblem.

"I think my horse is at the top of his game," Medaglia d'Oro's trainer Bobby Frankel said.

Don't discount Came Home, winner of six of seven races this year. "He's training out of this world," the colt's jockey Mike Smith said.

If there's a surprise winner in the 11/4-mile Classic, then Azeri has a chance to become the first filly since Lady's Secret in 1986 to be Horse of Year -- but only if she can win the $2 million Distaff, the first Breeder's Cup race.

"If she wins, I think she has to be strongly considered," trainer Laura de Seroux said of her filly, 7-of-8 this year.

Sky Mesa won't get a chance to display his championship form in the Juvenile -- the undefeated 2-year-old is out of the race with an injured right front ankle. "It's unfortunate timing, but the future might still be good," trainer John Ward said Friday morning.

Baffert, Frankel and O'Brien have seven entries apiece. With Sky Mesa out, Baffert's Vindication is the likely Juvenile favorite. Three of Frankel's horses were second choices on the morning line -- Beat Hollow in the Mile, Banks Hill in the Filly & Mare Turf, and Medaglia d'Oro in the Classic.

Top jockeys are lined up with top horses. Smith is aboard Vindication and Azeri, and Mick Kinane will ride Rock of Gibraltar and High Chaparral. John Velazquez has a horse in all eight races, including favored Storm Flag Flying in the Juvenile Fillies.

Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey has seven mounts, including the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Orientate in the Sprint. Patrick Valenzuela, in his first Breeders' Cup appearance since 1993, also rides in seven races.

Three horses -- Kona Gold in the Sprint, Banks Hill in the Filly & Mare Turf and Macho Uno in the Classic -- attempt to become two-time Breeders' Cup winners.

Classic

Look for well-rested E Dubai -- the Suburban winner on July 6 -- to challenge War Emblem from the start in a race that pits six 3-year-olds against six older horses. Medaglia d'Oro and Came Home should be near the lead, then look for late runs from the likes of the O'Brien-trained Hawk Wing, Milwaukee Brew and Evening Attire.

"You're always scared of speed, so you've got to be leery of War Emblem," said Pat Kelly, who trains Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Evening Attire. "It should be quite a race."

Two days of rain could result in an off-track Saturday. A wet track helps Evening Attire, who won by 10 lengths in the slop at Aqueduct in May.

Juvenile

O'Brien also saddles Hold That Tiger, Tomahawk and Van Nistelrooy as he looks to win this race again (Johannesburg won last year). Baffert has three starters, too, with Bull Market and Kafwain joining Vindication in a 13-horse field.

Not to be forgotten is Whywhywhy, trained by Patrick Biancone. The colt is coming off three impressive wins, including the Futurity at Belmont on Sept. 15.

Distaff, Juvenile Fillies

Azeri may be the early favorite in the Distaff, but the race shapes up as the most competitive of all. The field also includes Grade 1 stakes winners Take Charge Lady, Imperial Gesture, Farda Amiga, Mandy's Gold and Summer Colony, the only horse to defeat Azeri. By contrast, the Shug McGaughey-trained Storm Flag Flying is heavily favored to win the Juvenile Fillies.

Mile, Turf

A soft turf also works for O'Brien's favorites.

Rock of Gibraltar, co-owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, has won seven straight Group 1 races in Europe, all at a mile on turf. Among his top challengers are stablemate Landseer and the Frankel-trained Beat Hollow.

High Chaparral, winner of the Irish and English derbies, finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 6 after a three-month layoff. The colt faces a small but tough field in the $2 million Turf, including Golan, Denon and Ballingarry.

Filly & Mare Turf

Banks Hill is seeking a repeat. Frankel recently took over the training of the 4-year-old, who ran third behind Golden Apples in the Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita. Golden Apples is the favorite.

Sprint

The sensational filly Xtra Heat narrowly lost last year. A $5,000 purchase by owner/trainer John Salzman, the 4-year-old has won 24 of 31 starts and more than $2.2 million. Kona Gold will become the first horse to compete in five Breeders' Cups.

 

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