Trainer – Saeed Bin Suroor
Jockey – Christophe Soumillion
Fairly quiet campaign since winning the Dubai World Cup at the end of March by 4 ½ lengths to West Coast. Poor run when last in the Juddmonte International at York, but back on his favourite surface now, and a return to his best form wouldn’t be a surprise.
Trainer – John Gosden
Jockey – Oisin Murphy
What a season this horse has had. Winner of the Juddmonte International, Coral Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes, and most recently - the QEII on Champions Day. Trainer strongly represented in the Turf with Enable, so the lion takes his chance on the dirt on what will be his final race before being retired to stud. Owes connections nothing more, and worth a crack at the $6 million purse.
Trainer – Jonathan Thomas
Jockey – Javier Castellano
Another horse – this time from the States, who has been enjoyed a sensational season. Completed a hat-trick of graded successes at Saratoga last time out in the Travers Stakes, where he beat Mendelssohn by four lengths and will surely hold a strong hand in the outcome to the Classic, if seen to his best.
Trainer – Antonio Sano
Jockey – Irad Ortiz Jr
Eighth to Thunder Snow in the Dubai World Cup in March, and has since finished runner up to the Japanese raider Yoshia in a Grade 1 at Saragota two months ago. Not one to rule out entirely.
Trainer – Thomas Amoss
Jockey – James Graham
Winner of the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park a month ago, but may be slightly out of his depth here in top company.
Trainer – Bob Baffert
Jockey – Mike Smith
Lightly raced 3yo, won the Pennsylvania Derby back in September in good style under Mike Smith. Is technically unbeaten (5 from 5), if you include the G2 San Felipe Stakes, where he was first past the post, but eventually placed second after a stewards enquiry. Will be hard to pass.
Trainer – Bob Baffert
Jockey – John Velazquez
Another representing the popular Bob Baffert yard, who have such a great record here. West Coast was third in this race last year behind Gun Runner, who beat him again in the Pegasus back in January. Has only raced once since finishing second to Thunder Snow in the World Cup back in March, and that was runner up to Accelerate in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita in September. Cannot be ruled out.
Trainer – Doug O’Neill
Jockey – Mario Gutierrez
Also second to Accelerate, this time in the G1 Pacific Classic back in August. Fourth in the Dubai World Cup over six months ago, and a few lengths to find on both of those performances.
Trainer – Aiden O’Brien
Jockey – Ryan Moore
Runaway winner of the UAE Derby at Meydan at the World Cup meeting. Failed to win since, and had excuses when last in the Kentucky Derby behind Justify. Did not relish the conditions whatsoever, and will want the rain to stay away. Has put that effort behind him since, and has placed in each of his last three starts. Finished third in most recent start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park and has almost two lengths to find with Thunder Snow, who finished second. Certainly in with a shout, based on his Breeders Cup history: won the Juvenile Turf in great style last season.
Trainer – William Mott
Jockey – Jose Ortiz
Japanese raider finished a creditable fifth to Accidental Agent in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in the summer. Switching back to the dirt has brought him back to his best, where most recently he won a Grade 1 at Saratoga.
Trainer – Chad Summers
Jockey – Tyler Gaffalione
Beat Toast of New York in a Grade 3 here at the end of September, and also won the Golden Shaheen in Dubai earlier on in the season.
Trainer – Michael McCarthy
Jockey – Joe Bravo
Another lightly raced 3yo, finished second to the impressive Mckinzie at Parx in September, but was never on terms, and has a big mountain to climb here.
Trainer – Uriah St Lewis
Jockey – Manuel Franco
Beat Thunder Snow by a neck in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park; with Mendelssohn back in third. Was a big priced winner that day, and will be the same again here should he follow up that success.
Trainer – John Sadler
Jockey – Joel Rosario
Probably the standout horse in the field, however this is no given. Only been beaten by two rivals in last eight outings; all in Grade 1 or 2 company. Three easy victories on the bounce, and has had the perfect preparation for the Classic here.
Trainer – Bob Baffert
Jockey – Joseph Talamo
Possible pacemaker for yard’s younger and possibly better horses, however did finish a decent seventh in the Pegasus earlier in the year. Was second to Gun Runner in this race last year but was never near the winner.
Trainer – Jamie Osborne
Jockey – J R Leparoux
Now 7yo, great to see the old boy line up here, but his vastly outnumbered by better horses. Four lengths off Mind Your Biscuits in a Grade 3, but a massive step-up here.
