00:40 Del Mar

Saturday 6 November 2021

All17:1517:5018:2519:0519:4020:1920:5921:3822:2023:0023:4000:40

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

Off time: 00:41 | Winning time: -

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(1)

Tripoli³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Irad Ortiz Jr| T: John Sadler| OR: 110| D

22/1

Improved again when winning Grade 1 Pacific Classic over C&D in August but that was an ordinary renewal and disappointed when 8¼ lengths fourth to Medina Spirit in Awesome Again Stakes since.

Form: 311214

(3)

Hot Rod Charlie^b⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Flavien Prat| T: Doug O'Neill| OR: 117| D

11/4

Placed in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes before finally getting that long overdue Grade 1 with another very smart performance in the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx, making all. Not taken lightly.

Form: 3132D1

(4)

Essential Quality⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Luis Saez| T: B Cox| OR: 117| D

7/4

High-class colt whose only defeat came in Kentucky Derby when not seen to best effect. Won Juvenile at this meeting last year and Belmont/Travers Stakes this term. Gutsy sort who will go very close.

Form: 114111

(5)

Knicks Go³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Joel Rosario| T: B Cox| OR: 120

7/2

Ready winner of the Dirt Mile last term and at least as good over 9f this year, 2 of his 4 wins coming in Grade 1s, namely Pegasus World Cup and Whitney Stakes. First attempt at 10f. Standard bearer.

Form: 144111

(6)

Art Collector³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Mike Smith| T: William Mott| OR: 117

12/1

Always been a talented colt, but a few defeats saw him switch yards and has subsequently won last 3 starts, including first at this level in Woodward Stakes (9f) at Belmont. First attempt at 10f.

Form: 48-6111

(7)

Stilleto Boy³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Kent Desormeaux| T: Ed Moger| OR: 107

80/1

Maiden/listed winner this season who out ran his odds in a big way when 5 lengths second to Medina Spirit in Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita last time but would do very well to place in this.

Form: 141532

(8)

Medina Spirit³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: John Velazquez| T: Bob Baffert| OR: 114| D

15/2

Improved a chunk when making all in Kentucky Derby. Came up short in Preakness Stakes 2 weeks on but resumed progress when 5-length winner of Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. Must be respected.

Form: 221311

(9)

Max Player⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ricardo Jr Santana| T: Steven Asmussen| OR: 111| D

18/1

Fell short at top level as a 3-y-o but form has taken off this summer, winning Grade 2 at Belmont before following up in emphatic fashion in Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. Worth a shot.

Form: 55-0611

Non-Runners

(2)

Express Train³⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: J Shirreffs J: Victor Espinoza

Forecasts

Essential Quality (7/4), Hot Rod Charlie (11/4), Knicks Go (7/2), Medina Spirit (15/2), Art Collector (12/1), Max Player (18/1), Express Train (20/1), Tripoli (22/1), Stilleto Boy (80/1)

This is likely to be run at a strong pace which could set things up for the likeable ESSENTIAL QUALITY, whose only loss from 9 career starts came when charting a wide path throughout in the Kentucky Derby. His stablemate Knicks Go is the form pick judged on his wins over 9f this year so this tight track is to his advantage tackling this distance for the first time. Medina Spirit is also a player.