The 2014 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner California Chrome is the early wagering favorite for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, at betting odds of 3-1.
The odds could shift dramatically over the next two weeks, as many of the top contenders for the Classic will be in action either this Saturday in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar or the $1.25 million Travers (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
California Chrome is perfect in four starts in 2016 and will put his winning streak on the line Saturday in the Pacific Classic. He will face a stellar field that includes the defending champion Beholder.
Beholder had an eight race winning streak snapped in her last outing when she ran second to Stellar Wind in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar on July 30.
There were questions after the loss whether she would defend her title against the boys, but her trainer Richard Mandella gave the go ahead this week. She is the co-third in early Breeders’ Cup Classic wagering at 9-1.
Dortmund, who is the sixth choice in Classic wagering at 12-1, is also pointing toward the Pacific Classic. The Bob Baffert trainee put in a game run in a runner up finish to California Chrome in the San Diego Handicap (G2) on July 23 at Del Mar, beaten just a half-length.
Off victories in the Met Mile (G1) and Whitney (G1), Frosted has dropped down to the second choice in early Classic wagering at 4-1. His next start likely will come in either the Woodward (G1) in September or the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in October.
The top three-year-olds will converge on Saratoga on Aug. 27 for the Travers including Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Exaggerator and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Creator.
Exaggerator won the Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park in his last outing and is now at 9-1 in future betting for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Creator was a disappointing sixth in the Jim Dandy (G2) over the Saratoga main track on July 30 and his price in Classic wagering has risen to 25-1.
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist weakened to finish fourth in the Haskell and will get the summer off. He likely will make his final prep for the Classic in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) at Parx Racing in September. The Doug O’Neill trainee is currently at 12-1 in early wagering for the Classic.
The undefeated three-year-old filly Songbird is taking some action in early Classic betting at 9-1, but she seems more likely to go in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
She makes her next start on Saturday at Saratoga in the Alabama (G1). She won the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) over the Spa main track in her last outing on July 24 and is perfect in her nine career starts.
This year’s two-day Breeders’ Cup event will be held at Santa Anita on Nov. 4-5.