2019 Breeders’ Cup Predictions #5: Wide-Open Classic Division

Each week leading up to the 2019 Breeders’ Cup, our picks for all 14 races will be posted. Let’s take a look at our fifth set of predictions for the Breeders’ Cup, which will be held November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park:

Saturday, November 2, 2018

Longines Classic

Pick: Code of Honor 

Wow, this race is turning into a mess. Vino Rosso finished ahead of Code of Honor in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1), and McKinzie lost to the 25/1 longshot Mongolian Groom in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1). We’ll stick with Code of Honor for now, who ran extremely well in the Gold Cup and should do even better with a faster pace. However, his connections may not even run him in the race, as his owner believes that he might need a break after a couple of tough races. There are so many question marks at this point.

Longines Turf

Pick: Enable 

If she comes back to the Breeders’ Cup this year, then there is no question that she is the easy pick to win. She has been an absolute beast once again this season, proving that she is the best horse in the world. Let’s all hope her connections decide to make the trip over to defend her title. 

Longines Distaff

Pick: Midnight Bisou 

She made it seven straight victories with a win in the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. As this point she looks to be a single, while perhaps being the most likely winner at the Breeders’ Cup this year. Her only challenger in this division is Elate, who could be pointing towards the Classic. 

TVG Mile

Pick: Bricks and Mortar  

News broke last week that Bricks and Mortar could be heading to this race. The mile distance might be a little sharp for him, but he at least has a better chance to win here than in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. We’ve been searching for a month for a top pick, so it was good news that he could end up running here.

Sprint

Pick: Mitole 

The beast returned to form in a major way to dominate the Forego Stakes (G1) last time out at Saratoga. When he’s at his best, he cannot be defeated, but this is a very deep division. He’ll need to show up with a huge effort to get the job done, but a victory here could make him the Horse of the Year. 

Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf

Pick: Sistercharlie

The defending champ will look to make it two in a row. This year, she seems to be running better than ever, simply dominating her competition in her first two starts of the year. Look for her to get one more prep race before shipping out west for the big one. 

Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile

Pick: Giant Expectations 

At this point, it is hard to pick a horse for this race. Improbable can’t get out of his own way, and Catalina Cruiser is hard to trust after last year’s Breeders’ Cup performance. For now, we’ll go with Giant Expectations with the hope of picking a price. We’ll keep a close eye on the next two weeks, when hopefully a new contender will emerge. 

Turf Sprint

Pick: Eddie Haskell 

Even though he lost in the Eddie D Stakes (G2), he still ran very well, despite having a lot to do when entering the stretch. He needs a hot pace up front, which is something he should get with a full field of sprinters. The loss should make him a decent price as well. 

Filly & Mare Sprint

Pick: Covfefe 

Even though our previous pick for this race (Come Dancing) won at Belmont Park, we are still changing it. Covfefe was magnificent in her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup, dominating the Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs by 8 lengths. This filly has developed very nicely over the course of her 3-year-old season and could be set up for the best performance of her career in the biggest spot. 

Future Stars Friday, November 1, 2019

TVG Juvenile

Pick: Eight Rings 

This is one we’ll go back and forth on until the week of the race. Eight Rings was very impressive in his American Pharoah Stakes (G1) victory, even though he was a bit green in the stretch. He’ll have to clean up that kind of stuff in this spot, with Dennis’ Moment still looming large. These two are tough to choose between at the moment. 

Juvenile Turf

Pick: Decorated Invader 

An impressive win in the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine lands this horse as our choice. Even though he broke poorly, he was able to rally for an easy win, showing a solid turn of foot. European shippers always have a say in this race, and we won’t know who is shipping in until a bit closer to the event, but for now, this is the pick.

Juvenile Fillies

Pick: Bast 

She did what she needed to do to win the Chandelier Stakes (G1); however, it wasn’t as impressive as we thought it would be. Still, she’s the pick for now, but it is worth looking at some other options at this point. We’ll monitor and see how things unfold.  

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Pick: Daahyeh 

Hopefully, this filly will ship over to run in this spot, which seems to be a little soft at the moment. Last time out, she won the Shadwell Rockfell Stakes (G2) in impressive fashion at Newmarket. She has never been worse than second in five lifetime starts. 

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Pick: Old Chestnut 

His victory in the Ontario Racing Stakes makes him the early favorite for this event. We still don’t have a clear picture of who will race in this spot, but it will become clearer in the weeks ahead. For now, Old Chestnut is the clear standout.