By Liane Crossley
NKyTribune correspondent
The stage is set for the unprecedented Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday. The $5-million headliner long will be remembered for historic value regardless of the outcome. Among its uniqueness, the Classic is the final go-round for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, one of the most popular racehorses of all-time. No Triple Crown winner ever has competed in the Breeders’ Cup simply because there was no Breeders’ Cup until 1984, six years after Affirmed won the 1978 Triple Crown. American Pharoah retires Ashford Stud in Versailles and will become a breeding stallion in 2016.
The Classic was hyped as a “boy-girl” rivalry featuring the five-year-old mare Beholder against the opposite sex. But she was scratched out of the race on Thursday because of a minor lung ailment.
Even with her defection, the Classic stacks up to be, well, classic. The richest race in North America features a rematch with American Pharoah and adversaries Keen Ice and Frosted, last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, a top shelf European invader, an incredibly handsome blueblood and others.
In post position order with jockey and trainer in parenthethes, here is the field for the Classic. Post time on Saturday is approximately 5:30 p.m. with live coverage on NBC.
Tonalist (John Velazquez, Christophe Clement): Tonalist made a name for himself in 2014 when he won the Belmont Stakes, a race that featured California Chrome’s attempt to sweep the Triple Crown. Although California Chrome was a well beaten fourth in the Belmont, Tonalist is loosely known as the colt who spoiled the Triple Crown. He has since proven himself in the upper echelons and comes to the Classic from a definitive victory in a key prep race.
Keen Ice (Irad Ortiz Jr., Dale Romans): After chasing American Pharoah in three consecutive races, Keen Ice turned the tables when he defeated American Pharoah in the historic Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29. Neither colt has raced since so the Classic is a rematch between two of racing’s most memorable runners.
Frosted (Joel Rosario, Kiaran McLaughin,): The gray colt has been in the shadows of American Pharoah and Keen Ice most of the year but gained his own identity by winning the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19. His trainer is a Lexington native and he is owned by Godolphin Racing whose holdings include Darley farm in Lexington and other major Thoroughbred farms in Central Kentucky.
American Pharoah (Victor Espinoza, Bob Baffert): One of the most celebrated racehorses of all-time and certainly the most photographed, American Pharoah closes his career in the Classic. Prior to his Triple Crown sweep, owner Ahmed Zayat sold breeding rights to the colt to Ashford Stud in Versailles. American Pharoah will begin his career as a breeding stallion in 2016.
Gleneagles (Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien): The Irish-born Gleneagles will be making his first outside of Europe where he was a turf course sensation despite a narrow loss in his most recent start. He has won seven of 10 career starts, but the three-year-old colt has never raced on dirt.
Effinex (Mike Smith, James Jerkens): Effinex has had moderate success competing against some of the best horses in New York but his name has attracted as much attention as his race record. Sired by Mineshaft, his dam is What a Pear which inspired a name reportedly in reference to a former wife.
Smooth Roller (Tyler Baze, Victor Garcia): With just four career starts, Smooth Roller is something of a Classic mystery. Despite his lack of racing experience, the four-year-old colt proved he was Classic worthy with a top level victory in California in September.
Hard Aces (Joe Talamo, John Sadler): With 25 lifetime starts, Hard Aces has more racing experience than any other entrant. However, he has had only limited success in the top tiers and is listed as a 50-1 longshot on the morning line.
Honor Code (Javier Castellano, Shug McGaughey): Trained by Lexington native Shug McGaughey, the blue-blooded Honor Code has the looks to match his upscale race record and fancy lineage. His pedigree includes his renowned sire A.P. Indy, who won the 1992 Classic.
Beholder (Gary Stevens, Richard Mandella): Scratched Thursday morning because of minor lung ailment.
Liane Crossley is a freelance writer based in Lexington.