American Horses to Watch Out for Ahead of Breeders? Cup

Breeders’ Cup, the World Championships of the horse racing world, is all set to make a comeback on the first weekend of November. The event marked its beginning back in 1984 and has grown to be the most significant racing event in the industry. Breeders’ Cup will run over the course of 2 days to declare the best in the field; as intended by the founder John R.?Gaines.

The racing hosted every year in October or November is the ultimate sight for the equestrians around the world. Trainers and owners try out events throughout the season to earn a pre-entry for the event. While the equines’ performance and rankings recorded matter, Grade I thoroughbreds can also try out through nominations and fees. However, now with the dates on the brink and pre-entries in, here is a curated list of the American horses to keep an eye out for during the races as they embrace the picturesque venue.

Start off with a historic venue

On November 3rd and 4th, the Breeders’ Cup will return to Santa Anita Park to celebrate its 40th edition. This comeback will be the record-breaking 11th time that the races will be returning to Santa Anita. The historic racecourse is popularly admired for its beauty as the San Gabriel Mountains decorate the grounds; reports Pasadena California. However, that isn’t all. Santa Anita has stood to host some of the most prestigious races in the industry throughout its presence since the 1930s.

Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Handicap, Olympics 1984, American Oaks, and hundreds of Graded races have found grounds at the venue. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will soon be added to the list as it will prepare to welcome around 80,000 spectators at the venue.

2023 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries –

The Breeders’ Cup is designed to host 14 races with a maximum number of 14 horses per start. The races will be divided into 5 and 9 over 2 days with varying factors of turf and grass. However, by the end of 2 days, 14 Champions will be crowned and $31 Million will be distributed in prize money. With the massive number at stake, the Breeders’ Cup has reportedly welcomed horses from across 16 countries and 6 continents. However, as the list forms an impressive structure, the US stands no back in owning the mighty numbers itself. According to the reports, over 20 states from the country have taken part in the races over the years. And following with the presence, here are a few notable names that the US stands to host this year:

a. Arabian Knight

Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old Arabian Knight has taken to the grounds since 2022. Though the 3-year-old has raced 2 Grade I stakes in his 4 start career, he was stopped from entering the Triple Crown Series. Bob Baffert made this move to ensure that Arabian Knight was in a well-maintained condition before he took on the Longines Breeders? Cup Classic for $6 Million in prize. Interestingly, the 3-year-old’s presence at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup won’t be his first time.

Also Read: When, Where, and How to Watch the Breeders? Cup World Championships in the USA

Arabian Knight’s debut was a showstopping one in the industry. In 2022, the colt raced at Keeneland Breeders’ Cup to earn a 7 1/4-length win. He then continued the streak as he headed onto 2023 Southwest Stakes (G3); where he clocked the time at 1:43.5 for 1 1/16 mile. The Colt was once again made to pass on the Triple Crown races to focus on Haskell Stakes (G1). However, he ended up taking a third spot, next to Geaux Rocket Ride and Mage. He then got back on his feet, standing worthy of his Maiden title as he dominated the Pacific Classic (G1); and this time, he overtook previous rival, Geaux Rocket Ride.

b. Bright Future

Bright Future, bred in Kentucky had a stellar start to his career at Gulfstream Park in 2022 earning his first win. Following with that, the 4-year-old colt raced at Belmont Park before being sent on a hiatus for 10 months. Coming back, Arcangelo had 2 defeats before winning big at the 2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). The win at Saratoga was a defining win for the colt who earned a remarkable presence in the industry. The 4-year-old is trained by Hall of Famer Todd A. Pletcher. Returning to the grounds exactly two months later, Bright Future aims big, competing at Longines Classic and Dirt Mile. The Colt was also interestingly, one of the winners of the Challenger Series.

c. Charge It

The 4-year-old Colt has a head-turning record in the 2 years of his career. He ran the 2022 Florida Derby (G1) for his 3rd ever race and placed 2nd behind White Abarrio. The best of his career could be pointed in multiple directions but one interesting win would be Dwyer (G3) where he stood out with a 23-length victory. Once again, trained by Todd Pletcher, Charge It has participated at multiple Graded Stakes; including the 2023 Oaklawn Handicap and Kentucky Derby (G1). However, his only win came at Suburban Stakes (G2) early this year on 1 1/4 mile dirt-fast. Coming to the Breeders’ Cup with his marvelous career, Charge It will be one of the sought-after contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

d. Proxy

Proxy is probably one of the most experienced horses in the list of entries for the Breeders’ Cup. The 5-year-old son of Tapit started his career back in 2020 and has held 19 starts throughout his career; out of which, 14 contribute to the Graded Stakes. 2022 Clark (G1), 2023 Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and 2023 Monmouth Cup (G3) are some stakes that tell people about the equines’ marvelous presence. Proxy finished 1st in all three of the stakes adding to a total of 6. As for his performance at the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Proxy was defeated by a nose by Bright Future. Proxy, with over $2 Million in career earnings will try to take the dominance his way at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

e. Saudi Crown

Trained by Brad H. Cox Saudi Crown has missed just 2 out of her 5 start career. Pennsylvania Derby (G1), 2023 Jim Dandy (G2), and 2023 Dwyer (G3) have all been on the list for the 3-year-old colt. While the equine slipped by minor margins to place second in the latter of the two, Saudi Crown earned a 1st in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania. The other two victories came right after his debut. 1st one was a 4 3/4-length victory in a 6-furlong maiden sprint at Keeneland, and 2nd at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Brad who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic back in 2021 has big ambitions for the 3-year-old. While considering the Classic for Saudi Crown, Brad also has plans to run at $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in Riyadh next February.

f. Senor Buscador

Senor Buscador, sired by?Mineshaft is a 5-year-old Colt who has been racing for the past 3 years. Throughout his 14-start career, Senor Buscador has been present at the Pacific Classic (G1), San Diego Handicap (G2), and Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) among others. While graded stakes might have been a shining highlight in his career, Senor Buscador made a spectacular presence with his 2 last-to-first runs at Remmington Park. One of the races also included a $200,000 Springboard Mile for 2-year-olds.

However, the 5-year-old was faced with setbacks involving a suspensory injury. The incident obliged the equine to race just once in 18 and a half months. Nonetheless, with his recovery, Senor has held 6 wins two of which came from graded stakes. This year won’t be the first time Senor will be contesting at the Breeders’ Cup. But it’ll be the first time he will be trying for prize money that huge in the Classic.

g. White Abarrio

The 4-year-old Colt probably has one of the most coveted careers among the rest. In the 14 starts that he has had in his career, White Abarrio has raced Grade 1 stakes 8 times. He placed 1st in his first two opening races at Gulfstream Park and 3rd in his third race at 2021 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). However, his recent triumph at 2023 Whitney (G1) has made him a top contender at the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Rick Dutrow-trained Colt has 6 wins to his name with a 3rd in 2023 Metropolitan (G1). Dutrow has previously won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and hopes White Abarrio adds another one to his name.

h. Zandon

Zandon is a 4-year-old Colt who started his career back in 2021 to currently has 13 starts to his name. The equine had a stellar beginning when he placed thrice in the top 3 for his first three races and 1st in the 2022 Blue Grass Stakes (G1). His win in the first G1 had turned him into a favorite entering the Kentucky Derby (G1) where he placed 3rd. Following his win at Blue Grass, Zandon had failed to place 1st in the next 8 consecutive races until he broke the streak recently. At Woodward in October, Zandon emerged sucessful in in the 1 1/8-mile race.? Trained by Four-time Eclipse Award champion Chad Brown, Zandon will hope to keep up the momentum as he takes on the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday.

i. Arcangelo

Arcangelo, the son of Arrogate, marked his first run of the career back in December 2022 at Gulfstream Park. But the 3-year-old Colt only reached his pinnacle as he ran the course at Belmont Stakes (G1). Arcangelo reached the finish 1 1/2-length ahead as he reigned a clear victor. His win was also a sweeter news for trainer Jena Antonucci. Jena, with Arcangelo’s win, clinched a title as the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown event.

Out of his 6 starts, the 3-year-old has an impressive record of finishing 1st in 4 consecutive races; with Peter Pan (G3), Belmont, and Travers Stakes (G1) forming the list. In his most recent win, and sadly the last, at Travers, Arcangelo defeated Kentucky Derby winner, Mage and Preakness winner Forte. After the spectacle, Arcangelo was scheduled to compete at the Longines Classic. However, following an unfortunate incident, the Colt has been ruled out of the race and retired to stand at Lane’s End.

The presented names are just a few of over a hundred names entering the Cup over the first weekend in November. In the excitement-filled arena, 14 horses will reign the champions; leaving behind a new legacy for the people to hear about. Who do you think will be the writer of one such among the listed?

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