BC Classic Analysis

PERFECT DRIFT remains in top form, fires every start against top-class company, can stay 1 1/4 miles, and consistently earns Grade 1-caliber speed figures. He enters with solid form, and for the first time this year his odds will be high. He hasn't won this year, but that may be his only flaw. PLEASANTLY PERFECT is the best 1 1/4-mile horse in the country, but this is no easy race to win off a two-month layoff. DYNEVER is in peak form, and has experience at this distance. Ghostzapper is the fastest horse in the race, but he may have company up front. Neither he nor Roses in May has run this far. The mare Azeri picked an inopportune spot, but her speed helps the closers.

- BRAD FREE

GHOSTZAPPER has been impressive while winning his last four races and 7 of 9 career starts. Although he probably won't be willing to rate as far off the early pace as he should, he has shown that he can win despite a disadvantageous pace scenario. PLEASANTLY PERFECT should enjoy a good trip with lively fractions up front, and will be very dangerous if he runs one of his better races despite the lack of a start since Aug. 22. ROSES IN MAY led but was not speed crazy through a moderate pace in the Kentucky Cup Classic. He was not asked for his best in that race, and it is encouraging to see that he was willing to be more tractable than usual that day.

- STEVE KLEIN

DYNEVER has been a profound disappointment this year after a scintillating 4-year-old debut in April, but has been compromised by foot issues and may have turned the corner judging from runner-up finish in Meadowlands Cup with a 106 Beyer, a mirror image of last year's prep leading to surprising third in the Classic with a 10-point improvement to 116; abhors wet tracks. PLEASANTLY PERFECT is arguably the top 10-furlong dirt horse in the world, but had a perfect set-up winning this race at 14-1 last year, and now breaks from post 12 off a 10-week layoff. BIRDSTONE was readied to win Travers off an even longer absence, a race run under surreal weather conditions minutes before a storm of Biblical proportions; little colt keeps surprising.

- DAVE LITFIN

GHOSTZAPPER has become the monster that many thought he could be early in his career. His win in the Iselin two back was fast by any measure, and his victory in the Woodward last time out over an out-of-his-mind Saint Liam was gutsy. He has been given just the right amount of time to recover from that effort, and his with-the-pace running style should fit Lone Star to a tee. Speaking of gutsy, ROSES IN MAY was all that and more when he prevailed in the Whitney. He already had his regression in the Kentucky Cup Classic, and still scored decisively. PLEASANTLY PERFECT is certainly good enough to win. Heck, he won this race last year. But, it would take a performance of legendary proportions for him to win this off a 69-day layoff.

- MIKE WATCHMAKER