2018 Breeders' Cup Classic: Key contenders

KEY CONTENDERS

Accelerate, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 100-115-111

◗ He’s 5 for 6 this year, his lone loss coming in the Oaklawn Handicap when beaten a neck by City of Light, who runs Saturday in the Dirt Mile.

◗ He’s won all three of his races at 1 1/4 miles this year.

West Coast, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 97-NA-117

◗ Last year’s champion male 3-year-old was third in last year’s Classic, then ran two giant races this year in the Pegasus, behind Gun Runner, and the Dubai World Cup.

◗ The Awesome Again was his first start in nearly six months, so he figures to improve.

McKinzie, by Street Sense
Last 3 Beyers: 107-101-98

◗ Always highly regarded, he returned from a six-month layoff owing to a hock injury and posted a career-best figure when winning the Pennsylvania Derby.

Mind Your Biscuits, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 108-104-109

◗ He has fashioned a compelling campaign this year, as he tries to go from winning his second straight Dubai Golden Shaheen going six furlongs in March to the 1 1/4-mile Classic in November, with a narrow loss in the Met Mile in between.

Catholic Boy, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 104-99-96

◗ A Grade 1 winner on turf and dirt this year, he comes off a four-length victory in the Travers, in which he earned a career-best figure.

Mendelssohn, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 101-99-90

◗ Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner is trying to become the first horse to win Breeders’ Cup races on both grass and dirt.

◗ He ran courageously after getting enveloped in a blazing pace in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and looms the one to catch in this spot.

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