American Pharoah, 6-5 favourite for Breeders’ Cup Classic
LEXINGTON, Kentucky –United States (AP) — Triple Crown champion American Pharoah was made the early 6-5 favourite Monday in a field of 10 for the US$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, the last race of his career.
The colt will break from the number four post tomorrow at Keeneland. He is six for seven this year, and is coming off a loss in the Travers two months ago.
Beholder drew the far outside post and is the 3-1 second choice for the 1 1/4-mile race against male horses. Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari pulled the numbered pills that decided the positions at the draw.
Beholder and American Pharoah are both based at Santa Anita, where her trainer Richard Mandella was tempted to get a jump on the highly anticipated showdown.
“I wanted to say to Bob, ‘Let’s just spin them once around and see what happens,'” he said.
Tonalist, the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner, and Honor Code are the co-third choices at 6-1. Tonalist, who ended California Chrome’s Triple Crown bid last year, drew the number one post, while Honor Code is in the number nine position.
“I’m happy with the post,” Baffert said by phone. “The most important thing is the horse is doing really well.” American Pharoah was timed in 46.20 seconds for a half-mile workout Monday.
“He wanted to do more,” Baffert said. “He looks great. We’re really getting excited.”
After the Classic, the colt is set to begin a stud career in nearby Versailles.
Already in Lexington is American Pharoah’s jockey, Victor Espinoza.
“I’m confident,” he said. “The last time I saw him work out I was very impressed.”
Travers winner Keen Ice drew the number two post and is 12-1 on the morning line odds. Frosted, third in the Travers, will break from the number 3 post and is 15-1.
Jerry Crawford, president of Donegal Racing which owns Keen Ice, has already predicted his horse will win.
“We’re very positive and bullish,” he said. “We’ll have a little bit of that 12-1, thank you very much.”
Also in the Classic field are Ireland-bred Gleneagles, Effinex, Smooth Roller and Hard Aces.
