Sizing Up the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic
California Chrome racing in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic. Photo credit: Harry How / Getty Images Sport
The 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky is shaping up as a bout between Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Beholder, the winner of the Pacific Classic. At stake in the race is a very rich $5 million purse.
Race Contenders
Liam’s Map was considered a strong entry, but owner Todd Pletcher decided to run him in the Dirt Mile instead. Experts think Pletcher might have made a bad call because the horse will be running against speedy Private Zone at the Dirt Mile. The result could be no win at all.
This leaves American Pharoah and Beholder as the strongest horses in the race. Betters are looking at Beholder to bring in the money, but American Pharoah is the favorite among more casual race goers as a reputation bet.
Other possibilities are Honor Code, which is given a 7 to 1 chance, Tonalist, at 6 to 1, Frosted at 9 to 1 and Keen Ice at 12 to 1.
Race Track Improvements
Keeneland has upgraded its assets, adding the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Lounge, a 45,000 sq. ft. gathering spot. Located at the final turn, it is big enough to hold over 3,000 race goers, giving them view of the horses when they enter the stretch. The Lounge, which looks like a chalet, is the first in the U.S. but common at European golf tournaments.
Other improvements for spectators include:
• More trees by the paddock
• New saddling ring with additional viewing for spectators
• Saddling Ring Chalet for jockeys and VIPs
• Club Lawn chalets
• 217 log boxes
• Breakfast marquee
In the track and barn area, horses and jockeys now have a polytrack surface on the five-furlong training track. The course track has a new surface and the drainage system has been updated. New monitoring devices have been installed in the barns.
Celebrating 31 Years
The first Breeders’ Cup happened at Hollywood Park in 1984. It was the richest race in the world of horse racing at the time, with a prize of $3 million. Chief’s Crown won that first race.
This is the first year for the race at Keeneland. Next year it will return to Santa Anita, followed by Del Mar in 2017. The Breeders’ Cup has rotated among a number of tracks including Hollywood Park, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Belmont Park and Churchill Downs.
Horses qualify by winning one of the Breeders’ Cup challenge races across the country during the year. Horses are also ranked by performance in other major races throughout the yearly racing calendar.
