Breeders' Cup Classic: Knightsbridge will join stablemate Sovereignty in starting gate
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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Knightsbridge will take his talent to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
In a highly anticipated decision that impacted three Breeders’ Cup races, the connections of Knightsbridge announced Monday morning that he will run in the Classic as opposed to the $1 million Dirt Mile, a race in which he was also pre-entered.
Knightsbridge will join his stablemate Sovereignty, last year’s Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old, in the Classic starting gate Saturday at Keeneland giving Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin two chances to win a race it has never won. Sheikh Mohammed is 0 for 19 in the BC Classic, including a runner-up finish with Bernardini, who ran under the Darley banner in 2006. Under Godolphin, Sakhee finished second in 2001 and the operation has had four third-place finishes.
“There’s been some points that have come up how important it would be for Godolphin to try and win the Classic and I think that is probably the grain of sand that tipped the scales,” Mott said after meeting with Godolphin principals Dan Pride and Michael Banahan Monday morning at Keeneland. “We went back and forth, everybody had a say, and my attitude toward it all along was whatever race we wind up in I’m going to be satisfied.
“We’ve made our decision and we’re going to stick with it win, lose, or draw and we know there’s a chance of all those things,” Mott added.
Luis Saez will ride Knightsbridge as his regular rider Junior Alvarado, is committed to stay with Sovereignty.
Knightsbridge, a 5-year-old son of Nyquist, has won 8 of 12 starts. He made his first 10 starts in races at seven furlongs or one mile. In July, Knightsbridge passed his first two-turn test with aplomb, winning the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup at 1 1/8 miles by 10 1/4 lengths, earning a 122 Beyer Speed Figure.
Then Knightsbridge stepped out to1 1/4 miles, running away win the Grade 1 Pacific Classic by 6 1/4 lengths. Sovereignty is 3 for 3 at 1 1/4 miles, while Magnitude, Forever Young, and Golden Tempo are all proven winners at 10 furlongs.
“We all understand that we’ve now got [five] horses that are proven at a mile and a quarter,” Mott said. “It’s not going to be the same journey that he had in the Pacific Classic, but by the same token I don’t think you can throw him out.”
Sovereignty missed last year’s Classic due to a fever that forced him to scratch after being entered. Sovereignty missed some time and a start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 18 owing to a hind foot abscess. But following his workout on Sunday, Mott believes Sovereignty will fire his best shot in the Classic.
“I’ve got confidence that my horses are doing well,” Mott said. “I’m not willing to make any predictions but they’re both doing well, I can tell you that at this point.”
Knightsbridge and Sovereignty were two of eight horses entered Monday morning for the BC Classic. Others include older horses Forever Young, last year’s Classic winner; Magnitude, the Dubai World Cup winner; and T O Password, as well as 3-year-olds Golden Tempo, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont; Napoleon Solo, winner of the Preakness; and The Puma, winner of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby.
Chad Summers, trainer of Napoleon Solo, said while Knightsbridge brings a bit of speed into the Classic, he believes his speedy 3-year-old can be successful with a target as he proved winning the Preakness.
“I think we’re going to find out if I was right or not right,” Summers said.
If neither Knightsbridge nor Napoleon Solo were in the Classic, Magnitude looked potentially like the controlling speed. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he’s been training Magnitude behind another horse, “expecting one if not both of them to show up and I think the horse is handling beautifully and expect him to run huge,” he said.
There were 11 horses pre-entered for the Classic but Further Ado and Forged Steel are headed to the Dirt Mile - decisions that were made before Knightsbridge’s decision. Phileas Fogg was withdrawn from consideration for the Classic due to a foot issue.
The Dirt Mile drew 16 pre-entries, 11 of whom were pre-entered in other races. In addition to Further Ado, others who were pre-entered in two races that wound up in the Mile include Iron Man Cal, T Kraft, and Moonlight, all who were pre-entered in the Sprint. The Dirt Mile will now have an 11-horse field, one shy of the maximum.
Post positions for all 14 races will be drawn Monday afternoon at 5 p.m. at the Keeneland sales pavilion.
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