California Chrome is the heavy favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Photo credit: © Cheryl Quigley | Dreamstime.com)
California Chrome won the showdown convincingly over his rivals Beholder and Dortmund in Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar and his future betting price for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 5 has dropped once again.
Bet Online has the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner at 3-2 in future odds for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, down from 5-2 last week.
The Art Sherman trainee took the Pacific Classic field gate to wire to win by five lengths and he matched his career top Beyer Speed Figure of 113.
He is now perfect in five starts this year including winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) in March.
2016 Pacific Classic Replay
His final prep for the Classic likely will come in the $300,000 Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. There is added incentive as Del Mar and Santa Anita has offered a horse that wins the Pacific Classic, Awesome Again and Breeders’ Cup Classic a $1 million bonus.
Beholder had to settle for second in the Pacific Classic and saw her future odds for the Classic drift up to 25-2 at Bet Online. The loss was her second in a row, defeated by Stellar Wind in the Clement L. Hirsch (G2) on July 30. That loss snapped an eight race winning streak.
Her next start may come in the $300,000 Zenyatta (G1) on Oct. 1 at Santa Anita. However, her trainer Richard Mandella could opt to send her back to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) instead of taking on the boys again.
Dortmund was expected to vie for the early lead in the Pacific Classic but his jockey Rafael Bejarano elected to rate the colt back in third, where he remained throughout the race, beaten 7 ¼ lengths. His price in Breeders’ Cup Classic wagering has risen to 16-1.
Coming up on Saturday is the $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga which will feature several Classic contenders. Expected to start are Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Exaggerator and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Creator.
Breeders Cup Classic Future Odds via Bet Online as of Aug. 22:
American Freedom 40-1
Avanti Bello 120-1
Beholder 25-2
Bradester 65-1
Brody’s Cause 85-1
California Chrome 3-2
Cherry Wine 100-1
Creator 55-1
Dalmore 75-1
Destin 35-1
Donegal Moon 95-1
Dortmund 16-1
Eagle 80-1
Economic Model 80-1
Effinex 25-1
Exaggerator 14-1
Frosted 7-2
Gun Runner 65-1
Hard Aces 80-1
Hoppertunity 65-1
Imperative 80-1
Keen Ice 35-1
Lani 85-1
Majestic Harbor 90-1
Melatonin 12-1
Mo Tom 95-1
Mor Spirit 80-1
Noble Bird 65-1
Nyquist 30-1
Second Summer 70-1
Shaman Ghost 95-1
Soi Phet 95-1
Suddenbreakingnews 75-1
Upstart 50-1
Win the Space 100-1
Mubtaahij 50-1
Samraat 55-1
Connect 55-1
Mohaymen 65-1
Laoban 55-1
Governor Malibu 55-1
Cupid 55-1
Comfort 35-1
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