Bob Baffert has Breeders’ Cup Classic favorite. Odds, TV set for all 14 races this weekend.

Lexington Herald-Leader
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Arabian Knight is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this weekend at Santa Anita Park in California.

The two-day world championships drew 205 horses including 59 from five foreign countries to the track in Arcadia. Santa Anita is hosting for a record 11th time on the 40th anniversary of the event.

The Classic will be broadcast Saturday on NBC.

Arabian Knight drew the No. 12 post on Monday night in the 13-horse field for the 1 1/4-mile Classic. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Classic four times — all with 3-year-olds, the same age as Arabian Knight.

Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo was to break from the No. 1 post as the early 7-2 second choice but was withdrawn from the race Tuesday by trainer Jena Atonucci.

Arcangelo was considered the pre-race favorite until this week. He hasn’t been to the track the last couple mornings after an irritated left hind foot required a new shoe.

The Classic lost Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Geaux Rocket Ride last week. Mage was laid low by a fever and Geaux Rocket Ride got hurt in a workout and had surgery Sunday.

Whitney winner White Abarrio drew the No. 3 post for trainer Rick Dutrow, who has his first Breeders’ Cup runner since 2010. He won the 2005 Classic with Saint Liam. Dutrow is back after serving a 10-year suspension.

Friday’s five-race card features all 2-year-olds, with the winner of the $2 million Juvenile typically tabbed as the winter-book favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

Locked is the early 7-2 favorite for the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile for trainer Todd Pletcher. He has three entries in the field of 11, while Baffert also has three runners.

Arabian Knight, who won the $1 million, Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in his most recent race on Sept. 2, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.
Arabian Knight, who won the $1 million, Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in his most recent race on Sept. 2, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Other favorites in Friday’s races:

▪ Big Evs at 3-1 in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint.

▪ Tamara at 4-5 in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies.

▪ She Feels Pretty at 4-1 in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf.

▪ Ireland-bred River Tiber at 3-1 in the $1 million Juvenile Turf.

Saturday’s card features nine races with results figuring into year-end honors for Eclipse Awards.

The $4 million Turf is led by Mostahdaf, the 5-2 favorite bred in Ireland.

Idiomatic tops the 11-horse field for the $2 million Distaff. The 5-2 favorite is trained by Brad Cox.

Japan-bred Songline is the 5-2 favorite for the $2 million Mile.

Other favorites in Saturday’s races:

▪ Defending champion Cody’s Wish at 9-5 odds in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

▪ Britain-bred Inspiral at 5-2 odds in $2 million Filly & Mare Turf.

▪ Goodnight Olive at 6-4 odds in the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint.

▪ Ireland-bred Live in the Dream at 9-2 odds in the $1 million Turf Sprint.

▪ Elite Power at 9-5 odds in the $2 million Sprint.

Bob Baffert will be seeking his fifth career victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic when he goes to post with 3-1 morning-line favorite Arabian Knight on Saturday. Baffert won the world championship race previously with Bayern (2014), American Pharaoh (2015), Arrogate (2016) and Authentic (2020).
Bob Baffert will be seeking his fifth career victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic when he goes to post with 3-1 morning-line favorite Arabian Knight on Saturday. Baffert won the world championship race previously with Bayern (2014), American Pharaoh (2015), Arrogate (2016) and Authentic (2020).

2023 Breeders’ Cup

What: World championships of thoroughbred horse racing, including 14 races over two days.

When: Friday and Saturday

Where: Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California

Breeders’ Cup Classic field

The field for Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, with post positions and morning-line odds (6:40 p.m. EDT, NBC-18)

1. Arcangelo (7-2)

2. Zandon (12-1)

3. White Abarrio (4-1)

4. Missed the Cut (30-1)

5. Derma Sotogake (20-1)

6. Saudi Crown (12-1)

7. Clapton (20-1)

8. Ushba Tesoro (4-1)

9. Senor Buscador (30-1)

10. Dreamlike (30-1)

11. Bright Future (10-1)

12. Arabian Knight (3-1)

13. Proxy (12-1)

Trainer Jena Antonucci gives a treat to Arcangelo, who was the 7-2 second choice in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita before being withdrawn from the race on Tuesday.
Trainer Jena Antonucci gives a treat to Arcangelo, who was the 7-2 second choice in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita before being withdrawn from the race on Tuesday.

Breeders’ Cup schedule

All times Eastern

Friday

Juvenile Turf Sprint: 5 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Juvenile Fillies: 5:40 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Juvenile Fillies Turf: 6:20 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Juvenile: 7 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Juvenile Turf: 7:40 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Saturday

Dirt Mile: 2:30 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Filly and Mare Turf: 3:10 p.m. (USA, FanDuel TV)

Filly and Mare Sprint: 3:50 p.m. (NBC-18, Peacock, FanDuel TV)

Mile: 4:30 p.m. (NBC-18, Peacock, FanDuel TV)

Distaff: 5:10 p.m. (NBC-18, Peacock, FanDuel TV)

Turf: 5:50 p.m. (NBC-18, Peacock, FanDuel TV)

Classic: 6:40 p.m. (NBC-18, Peacock)

Turf Sprint: 7:25 p.m. (FanDuel TV)

Sprint: 8 p.m. (FanDuel TV)