Breeders' Cup Saturday: Knicks Go draws post 5 as Classic favorite
DEL MAR, Calif. – Knicks Go has been in the center of discussion for Horse of the Year all year long, and he’ll start in the center of the field for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar after drawing post 5 in a field of nine Monday afternoon.
Knicks Go was established as the 5-2 favorite by Del Mar linemaker Jon White. His Brad Cox-trained stablemate, Essential Quality, is next at 3-1, with Essential Quality’s fellow 3-year-olds, Hot Rod Charlie and Medina Spirit, right behind at 4-1.
Knicks Go won the Dirt Mile, and Essential Quality won the Juvenile, when the Breeders’ Cup was held at Keeneland last year. They are among seven 2020 race winners returning for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup.
The 1 1/4- mile Classic is the last of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races that will be held Friday and Saturday at Del Mar. There are five Breeders’ Cup races, all for 2-year-olds, on Friday, with the nine for older runners Saturday.
Here is a snapshot of the other eight races on Saturday, in the order in which they will be run:
Filly and Mare Sprint – Gamine, who secured a divisional title last year, is the 3-5 favorite against just five rivals in this seven-furlong, $1 million race. Bella Sofia (5-2) and Ce Ce (4-1) are the only other horses who are less than 12-1 on White’s line.
Turf Sprint – A full field of 14, plus four also-eligibles, was entered in this five-furlong, $1 million race, with defending race winner Glass Slippers drawing the rail. She is 6-1. Golden Pal, who won the Juvenile Turf Sprint last year, is favored at 5-2 and goes from post 3. Emaraaty Ana and Gear Jockey are the co-second choices at 5-1. The also-eligibles on Saturday have until Saturday morning to draw in.
Dirt Mile – Life Is Good is the odds-on favorite at 4-5 in this $1 million race. He has seven rivals, including Met Mile winner Silver State, the second choice at 7-2, and Del Mar specialist Ginobili, who is 4-1. Everyone else is 10-1 or higher.
Filly and Mare Turf – Audarya is back to defend her title, but she drew the outside post of 12 runners who will go 1 3/8 miles for $2 million. She is 5-1, the fourth choice. War Like Goddess, the top American runner, is favored at 7-2, with European filly Love and the Japanese raider Loves Only You the co-second choices at 4-1.
Sprint – Jackie’s Warrior drew post 2 in a field of nine and is favored at 6-5 in this six-furlong race, worth $2 million. Dr. Schivel drew well, landing the cozy outside post over a track at which he’s unbeaten. He is the second choice at 4-1.
Mile – A full field of 14, plus two also-eligibles, entered this $2 million grass race, with Charlie Appleby trainee Space Blues the 3-1 favorite as he goes from post 3. The top-ranked American-based runner is local hope Mo Forza, the second choice at 5-1. One of the also-eligibles is Queen Supreme, who got into the Filly and Mare Turf and obviously will run there.
Distaff – The popular Letruska is the 8-5 favorite and drew post 6 in a field of 11 for the 1 1/8-mile race, which also has a $2 million purse. Malathaat and Shedaresthedevil are the co-second choices at 4-1.
Turf – Another big field for a grass race, with 14, plus four also-eligibles, set to go 1 1/2 miles for a $4 million purse. The European mare Tarnawa, the defending race winner, is the 9-5 favorite, but must overcome post 13. The top American runner is Domestic Spending, the second choice at 4-1.