Five Breeders’ Cup Story Lines to Follow

American Pharoah Chases History

It’s seems like he’s been chasing history for months…and this will be no different!  No Triple Crown winner has ever ran in the Breeders’ Cup Classic because basically the last time a Triple Crown winner was in training the Breeders’ Cup did not exist.  The “Grand Slam” as its being billed would be the first of its kind…a trail blazing moment in the history of racing if American Pharoah can win the race.  While a “Grand Slam” would be cool…a win against the top older horses, and revenge over Keen Ice would be even sweeter.  The field for this years Classic could be one of the best of all time…win this race and you become an even bigger legend in the game.

Golden Horn’s Final Race

It’s amazing and horse racing fans are extremely lucky…Golden Horn and American Pharoah will be running in their last races in a time span of about an hour.  What a thrill it would be to see both win and go out in style.  Golden Horn, the recent Arc winner, comes to the United States fresh off an incredible effort.  He’s been touted from day one overseas as a “beast like” horse and isn’t coming over here to be defeated.  His legacy, much like American Pharoah’s, is already cemented, but a win would boost him into a higher category if he can get the job done.  Recent Arc winners have not fared well at the Breeders’ Cup.

Songbird Looks to Confirm Her Top Juvenile Status

Songbird is widely known by everyone as the top 2 year old filly in the country…but with a convincing win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies she could become known as the best 2 year old PERIOD.  She’s been nothing but dominant in all of her starts, and recently her main challenger Pretty N Cool who she defeated easily came back to win a nice stakes at Belmont Park.  It’s not often you see that so early in a horses career, but Songbird has proven class on her resume.  Could this be a springboard to bigger and better things?

The Race for the Lead in the Sprint

Perhaps the most exciting Breeders’ Cup race other than the Classic will be the Sprint where a field of fourteen will go at one another right from the break.  While there are several here that could win, the battle within the battle will be a matter of who can make the lead.  Private Zone vs. Runhappy…who will get to the lead at the quarter pole?  It’s the most intriguing match up of the entire Breeders’ Cup, and also the most unpredictable.  Both are horses you would think of as being the “speed of the speed” and both don’t like to rate behind horses.  Get ready to see the track set in flames with these two blazers!

Liam’s Map in the Dirt Mile

Many have been critical of the decision to run Liam’s Map in the Dirt Mile instead of the Classic.  The choice has created a lack of speed in the Classic, but also a potential easy single for horse players on Friday.  This horse should tower over this field from a class standpoint, and will have a tremendous tactical advantage as the race is devoid of much early speed.  If he cruises by several lengths everyone will say he should have been in the Classic.  If he loses the race everyone will be critical of Pletcher’s training methods.  Long story short…in some regards it almost seems like a no win situation for this powerful horse.  Bottom line: He is almost unbeatable at a mile.  This gives him the best chance to win a Breeders Cup race.