The 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic is expected to be one of the most promising editions ever. The main reason for that is none other than the first Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, is going to be in it and will be racing for the last time. Let’s now take a close look at his chances of victory and also analyze the other competing horses that may prove to be his biggest challenge on Saturday at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.
And if you’re for some exhilarating football action, check out our Monday Night Football preview between two undefeated teams, Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers.
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2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic Betting Preview
Favorite – American Pharoah
American Pharoah (-120) is going to be the obvious top favorite this weekend. The path just got a lot easier with his main foe, Beholder, deemed unable to participate in the impending race due to pulmonary bleeding. But nonetheless, the race must go on.
[sc:horses240banner ]The three-year-old bay colt is bound to add another trophy to his decorated legacy. American Pharoah has won eight of his 10 lifetime starts, has accumulated more than $5.9 million of earnings and is probably still in high spirits from his historical achievement this year when he became the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978.
It’s worth noting, though, that American Pharoah is coming off a tough loss to Keen Ice, who pulled off the incredible upset in the Travers Stakes last August.
The pair of Tonalist (+400) and Honor Code (+500) are bound to be the main foes of American Pharoah this weekend. Tonalist definitely has what it takes to do so as he’s raced five times at the 1 ¼ distance of the Classic, winning twice with a second and third place finish. Honor Code, meanwhile, has won 6-of-10 lifetime starts and has made it to the top-three in all but one of his races.
Sleepers – Keen Ice and Frosted
Keen Ice, the winner of the 2015 Travers Stakes, is priced at +800 to spoil American Pharoah’s farewell race at Keeneland and pull off another huge upset. His rider, Irad Ortiz Jr, and trainer, Dale Romans, will try to make that a reality by building on their momentum in Travers. The three-year-old colt will be oozing with confidence despite garnering just two wins in 11 career starts.
On the other hand, there is also Frosted (+1000), who could deliver a major shock at the Classic. Frosted will look to redeem himself from his mistake at Travers, wherein he decided to risk going head-to-head with American Pharoah early but ended up placing third. The talented colt was the Grade 1 winner of the Woods Memorial this year and was the last-out winner in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby.
Long Shots – Smooth Roller and Hard Aces
Smooth Roller, who’s a long shot bet priced at +1,200 to win the major race at Keeneland this weekend, has been slowly making a name for himself. He’s made just four starts—all since June—but became the victory of the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita in his last time out. That feat, basically gave him a fees-paid slot to the Breeders’ Cup Classic this Saturday.
Another long shot to place your bets on is Hard Aces (+3,000). The only thing he can boast about upon entering this race is his Grade 1 Gold Cup victory at Santa Anita last June. Hard Aces edged Hoppertunity in the final yards by getting his nose down first on the wire at the very right moment.
He’s been ridden by Victor Espinoza, the same jockey of American Pharoah, in his last six races, but will obviously be without the talented jockey for this race.
Writer’s Prediction
Honor Code and Keen Ice give it their best shots but American Pharoah wins it in thrilling fashion. Create a betting account now and put your horse racing predictions to the test!
