00:44 Santa Anita

Saturday 2 November 2019

All17:0717:4218:1718:5519:3320:1020:5421:3622:2023:0023:4000:44

Race 12 - Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1)

Off time: 00:45 | Winning time: -

(1)

Math Wizard⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Ricardo Jr Santana| T: S Joseph Jr| OR: 111

50/1

Took his form to a new level when winning a Parx Grade 1 last time out when winning from off the pace. Needs more in this contest against much stronger opposition but not fully exposed.

Form: 442361

(2)

Seeking The Soul³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Brian Jr Hernandez| T: Dallas Stewart| OR: 112

40/1

All his best efforts have come at Churchill Downs including a Grade 1 success in 2017 and second in the Dirt Mile last year but well beaten in two recent starts; needs to be back at his very best to figure here.

Form: 283174

(3)

Owendale³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Javier Castellano| T: B Cox| OR: 112

14/1

Has a trio of Grade 1 wins to his name and particularly impressive last time out at Remington Park. Versatile with regards to tactics but needs to find improvement for this much sterner test.

Form: 813151

(4)

War Of Will^b1⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Tyler Gaffalione| T: Mark Casse| OR: 111| D

22/1

Third in behind Math Wizard last time out and a Grade 1 winner at Pimlico earlier in the year. Needs plenty more to worry the principles in this event; blinkers on.

Form: 971953

(5)

Yoshida⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Mike Smith| T: William Mott| OR: 114| BF

9/1

Classy individual with multiple Grade 1 races to his name and a very respectable fourth in this race last year when coming from off the pace. Merely ticking over in two recent starts and likely to be primed for this; each-way chance.

Form: 4-66623

(6)

Elate²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jose Ortiz| T: William Mott| OR: 120| BF| D

8/1

Grade 1 winner at Belmont Park as a three-year-old and has added Grade 2 wins to that since. Two promising efforts in a pair of recent Grade 1 races but she will need a career best to get competitive in this; should benefit from the step up in trip.

Form: 231122

(7)

Higher Power³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Flavien Prat| T: John Sadler| OR: 113| D

10/1

Course winner. Had them all beaten a long way out in a Del Mar Grade 1 two starts back but not as effective when missing the break and unable to dominate here last time. Not all that much pace on his inside here and may bounce back.

Form: 151213

(8)

Mckinzie³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Joel Rosario| T: Bob Baffert| OR: 123| BF

3/1

Consistent and has only finished outside of the first two once in his career when a disappointing favourite in this last year. Smart effort when beating Yoshida in a Saratoga Grade 1 but not as good here last time out; the one to beat at his best.

Form: 221212

(9)

Mongolian Groom³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Abel Cedillo| T: Enebish Ganbat| OR: 117

14/1

Got the better of Mckinzie last time out when gaining his first Grade 1 success. Allowed to dominate but pulled out more in the finish and that run shouldn't be underestimated; 4lb worse off at the weights with that rival here.

Form: 462351

(10)

Vino Rosso³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Irad Ortiz Jr| T: Todd Pletcher| OR: 116| D

4/1

C&D Grade 1 winner here earlier in the campaign but no match for Mckinzie and Yoshida next time out. Another solid effort last time when demoted to second behind Code Of Honour; wide draw not ideal.

Form: 5-14131

(11)

Code Of Honor³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: John Velazquez| T: Claude Mcgaughey| OR: 117| D

7/2

Third past the post in the Kentucky Derby (promoted to second) and has shown that's no fluke with three subsequent wins (awarded race last time ahead of Vino Rosso). Versatile with regards tactics and can go well again.

Form: 132112

Forecasts

Mckinzie (3/1), Code Of Honor (7/2), Vino Rosso (4/1), Elate (8/1), Yoshida (9/1), Higher Power (10/1), Owendale (14/1), Mongolian Groom (14/1), War Of Will (22/1), Seeking The Soul (40/1), Math Wizard (50/1)

McKinzie is sure to be a popular pick despite disappointing in this race last year but he wasn't at his best last time out when beaten at odds-on and will have to strip fitter for that run to land this from a tricky draw (8). It might be worth taking a chance on CODE OF HONOUR who is progressing with every run and his wide draw may not be as difficult to overcome for a colt who is capable of racing from off the pace. Higher Power can be forgiven his run last time out and is a live each-way contender while Yoshida is proven at this level and rates as another who is versatile from a tactics perspective.