BC SATURDAY: Classic, Distaff

[Kasept]

Current Classic Field

City of Troy (Aidan O'Brien) 3-1
Brad Free: Renowned trainer calls 6-for-7 European turf star “best horse” he has trained; up-front running style matches DMR profile

Fierceness (Todd Pletcher) 7-2
BF: Outfinished a filly in highly rated Travers, first time he won back-to-back; would be first BC Juvenile winner to win BC Classic

Forever Young (Yoshito Yahagi) 5-1
BF: Japan-based 3YO was probably best finishing third in Ky. Derby in spring, sharp comeback win, closers up against it at 10F at DMR

Ushba Tesoro (Noboru Takagi) 8-1
DG: Japan-based 7YO won Dubai World Cup last year and was runner-up DWC this year, deep closer racing over speed-friendly surface 8-1

Sierra Leone (Chad Brown) 10-1
DG: Fires every start, beaten favorite last three starts including Travers and Belmont; will need pace meltdown to post an upset

Next (Doug Cowans) 10-1
BF: Streaking marathon dirt specialist tries brand-new ballgame; this race likely to unfold at quicker tempo than accustomed to

Arthur's Ride (Bill Mott) 12-1
BF: Live longshot with up-front style and G1 win two back, will be forwardly placed over track historically kind to speed at 10F

Newgate (Bob Baffert) 15-1
BF: Ranks notch below handicap-division elite, but rally-wide third-place comeback was solid, may improve in second start back

Highland Falls (Brad Cox) 15-1
BF: Posted career-best victory last out in 1 1/4-mile G1; well-bred Curlin colt reaching his full potential late in 4YO season

Tapit Trice (Todd Pletcher) 20-1
BF: Late start to 4YO campaign, returned in July, gained momentum winning G2 last out in just third start of year, faces tall order

Derma Sotogake (Hidetaka Otonash) 30-1
BF: BC Classic runner-up one year ago at high odds, but off the board in three starts since while racing in Middle East and Japan

Mixto (Doug O’Neill) 30-1
BF: Exploited speed-friendly race flow to upset relatively weak Pacific Classic at DMR in summer; pressing style suits this track

Senor Buscador (Todd Fincher) 30-1
BF: Earned $11.2 million in lucrative two-start Middle East campaign; did not finish anywhere close in two subsequent U.S. starts

Pyrenees (Cherie DeVeux) 30-1
BF: Cannot fault consistent improvement from Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner who finished one-two in all five starts this season