The main event of this year’s 2006 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, without a doubt, is the Breeders Cup Classic. The 23rd renewal should live up to its name at Churchill Downs.
During five previous Breeders Cup Days at the historic Louisville track - home to the Kentucky Derby, there have been exciting Classic races: Tiznow edged Giant’s Causeway by a neck in 2000, Awesome Again defeated Silver Charm by three-quarters of a length in ‘98 and Alysheba beat Striking the Gold by a half-length in ‘89.
So don’t be surprised when the margin of victory in the Breeders Cup Classic is less than a length on Nov. 4.
That’s because the top Breeders Cup Classic contenders could have favorable odds and are classy horse racing campaigners on winning streaks:
Lava Man: The 5-year-old gelding has captured six stakes in a row during ‘06, including four Grade 1 races, and earned nearly $2.5 million. Four victories were at the Breeders Cup Classic distance of 1 ¼ miles while two were on the turf.
With five wins on the grass it’s no surprise his final prep on Saturday comes in the $250,000 Clement Hirsch Turf Championship at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.
The son of Slew City Slew faces another gelding three years older who also is undefeated – the Tin Man, winner of this race in ‘02. His latest score in three outings: the Arlington Million in wire-to-wire fashion.
Bernardini: The top sophomore has registered five consecutive triumphs since his fourth-place career debut back in January at Gulfstream Park, but it was a sprint.
Three Grade 1 wins include the Travers at the Breeders Cup Classic distance and the Preakness, with earnings exceeding $1.6 million.
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