Bob Baffert has a record four starters in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic. They are Arrogate, Mubtaahij, West Coast and Collected.
While a case can be made for any of them, none will likely be favored. Favoritism will probably land in Steve Asmussen’s Gun Runner’s lap who interestingly enough Arrogate beat in their previous two meetings.
Horse racing is what have you done for me lately so as unimaginable as it was to picture this scenario when Arrogate spotted Gun Runner a pole and ran past him like a freight train passes a bum in Dubai, this is what we have.
Florent Geroux will have to be very aware of his surroundings aboard Gun Runner. While the horse is indeed versatile, he does like to be up on or near the pace, as do a few others in here. We all remember the Awesome Again a few years back when Shared Belief was the horse to beat and Bob had two in there against him, Fed Biz and Sky Kingdom. Sky Kingdom took Shared Belief wide into both turns and Fed Biz nearly pulled off the upset. Shared Belief was able to gut out a neck win.
If I was Florent I’d expect at least one of Bob’s horses on my flank the whole way insuring a fast pace, and trying to get my horse keen and going early while Magic Mike just sits back enjoying the view. The 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic is going to be a great one to watch.
