Timeform View: 23:45 Breeders' Cup Classic

Timeform Race Comments / Timeform / 06 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

It's a shame there's no Sea The Stars and Rachel Alexandra, though Rip Van Winkle sets an exceptional standard on his form in Europe, and is taken to complete another excellent Santa Anita for the Europeans. Zenyatta looks poor value on her first start away from fillies-only company, and Richard's Kid could be worth chancing for the exacta, with concerns over the surface for the higher-rated Summer Bird and Quality Road.

Mine That Bird : Hold-up performer who came from miles back to spring surprise in strongly-run Kentucky Derby. Last 2 defeats easily forgiven, though limitations had been exposed by Rachel Alexandra and Summer Bird prior to that. Likely to need suicidal pace to play major role here.

Colonel John :Dual Grade 1 winner, including Santa Anita Derby in 2008, and comes off a good prep when neck second to Gitano Hernando in Goodwood Stakes here last month. May do well to confirm superiority over third-placed Richard's Kid given true test though, and sixth place in this last year puts his task into perspective.

Summer Bird: Leading 3-y-o colt in US, becoming first horse to complete Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup treble in 20 years when holding off Quality Road by length at Belmont last month. Sound each-way claims on form, though raced only on dirt so far and synthetic surface has to be a worry.

Zenyatta : Big US hope, unbeaten in thirteen starts, her seven Group 1 successes including the Ladies' Classic on this card last year. Faces markedly sterner opposition than previously though having raced only amongst her own sex, avoiding Rachel Alexandra too, and handy draw unlikely to be utilised given her hold-up style. Never raced beyond 9f either.

Twice Over : Second tier performer as far as Group 1s go in Europe, his recent breakthrough coming in a weak renewal of Champion Stakes at Newmarket last time. Clearly in good form, though place prospects at best even from good draw.

Richard's Kid : Has bloomed since joining Bob Baffert in the summer, collaring Einstein late in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in September. Good prospects of reversing Goodwood form with Colonel John, when third, having been undone by false gallop that day. Each-way claims.

Gio Ponti : Has carried all before him on turf in US this year, his four Grade 1 successes
including Man o' War and Arlington Million. Opposition likely to be a deal stronger here though, even though surface shouldn't be an issue - won Grade 3 on pro-ride last December.

Einstein : Has gained four of his five Grade 1 successes on turf, though very much effective on this surface too, his Santa Anita Handicap triumph back in March testament to that. Ability more the question taking on some of the best in the world, and beaten on his last three outings.

Girolamo : Up-and-coming three-year-old, who's won all three of his starts this year, graduating to Grade 2 level in Belmont Handicap on last of them. Faces markedly sterner task here though, and unproven beyond 1m, too.

Rip Van Winkle: Produced top-class performances to win Group 1 1m events in Britain last two starts, and previously pushed the outstanding Sea The Stars close over this trip in Eclipse. Recent injury scare nothing new to him, and likely to take an exceptional one to beat him if he takes to the surface, even from a draw perhaps wider than ideal.

Regal Ransom : UAE Derby winner who got back on track following his Kentucky Derby flop in Louisiana Grade 2 last month. Still to prove he can cut it at the top level, and wide draw hardly a help.

Quality Road : Florida Derby winner for a previous stable, but has found Summer Bird too strong in both the Travers and Jockey Club recently. Unproven on synthetic surface, and stall 12 a poor draw for one who usually goes from the front.

Awesome Gem: Long-shot whose only win in last two years came in Grade 2 handicap at Hawthorne last month. Poor draw irrelevant.