Beholder Adds Intrigue to BC Classic Picture

Beholder’s feat was historic as she became the first female winner of the Pacific Classic in the race’s 24-year history, but more importantly, her 8 1/4-length win was extraordinarily impressive for any horse – regardless of gender. Having already won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2012 and Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 2013, Beholder’s connections are surely gunning for the Classic this year and it doesn’t seem outlandish to think that the five year-old mare could join Zenyatta as the only mares to win a BC Classic.

East coast contingency also strong

With Beholder clearly the best older horse, currently in training on the west coast, let’s also examine American Pharoah’s top older rivals from the East. Both Honor Code and Liam’s Map looked stellar while finishing 1-2 in the Grade 1 Whitney August 8 at Saratoga. Both are better than any horse Pharoah has encountered so far, and both would present unique problems for the champ. While the 1 1/4-mile distance of the classic may be a bit too far for Liam’s Map, the colt possesses an astonishing amount of natural speed, which would hypothetically force American Pharoah to track much swifter fractions than he’s accustomed to, softening him up for a stout-hearted closer like Honor Code.

Respecting thy elders

In other words, American Pharoah’s elders aren’t likely to bow down to the three year-old Triple Crown winner October 31 at Keeneland.  Pharoah is the real deal for sure, but he’ll have to be all of that and then some to win the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic.