2006 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs

Written by Robby Maddux

Friday, 03 November 2006

Saturday, Bernardini will face a star-studded field in the toughest race of his career as the odds on favorite. The Preakness, Jockey Club, Gold Cup and Travers winner was made the even-money choice for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

Bernardini, a son of A.P. Indy, is owned by Sheik Mohammed's Darley Stable and trained by Tom Albertrani. The three-year-old colt comes into the Classic with six wins in a row by a combined 40 lengths but has never faced a field with so many accomplished challengers. Bernardini will be breaking from the No. 3 post position under jockey Javier Castellano.

Whitney Handicap winner Invasor was the 5-1 second choice. Invasor, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, is owned Shadwell Stable's Sheik Hamdan, the older brother of Dubai's ruler Shiek Mohammed. Invasor, with Fernando Jara aboard, drew the No. 11 post.

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Lava Man, the pride of the West Coast with a 7-for-7 mark this year, was 6-1. However, Lava Man is 0-for-3 outside of California and was beaten by a combined 77 lengths in those three races. Lava Man, with Corey Nakatani up, leaves from the No. 8 post.

Todd Pletcher, the nation's leading trainer, will send out long shots Flower Alley and Lawyer Ron in the Classic as 17 of his record 18 pre-entries got into races. He has two of the morning-line favorites selected by Churchill's oddsmaker Mike Battaglia -- Circular Quay, 5-2 in the $2 million Juvenile, and Fleet Indian, 8-5 in the $2 million Distaff.

Two European stars, George Washington and David Junior were listed at 10-1. George Washington is Europe's leading three-year-old; the four-year-old David Junior won the Eclipse Stakes in his last start.

Perfect Drift will be running in the Classic for a record fifth time. The seven-year-old gelding was third last year. His trainer Murray Johnson has been impressed with Bernardini but says winning the Classic will be a tall order.

Also entered were Brother Derek, 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo,Premium Tap, Suave and Sun King.

Favorites for the others races: Cash Included (3-1, Juveniles Fillies); Ouija Board(8-5, Filly & Mare Turf); Henny Hughes (2-1, $2 million Sprint); Gorella (4-1, Mile); and Hurricane Run (3-1, Turf).

Pletcher has three second choices in Scat Daddy in the Juvenile, Wait a While in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf and English Channel in the $3 million Turf.
Breeders' Cup day creates huge payoffs because of the highly competitive races and intersectional match-ups. Last year, just two of the eight favorites cashed when Saint Liam took the Classic and Folklore won the Juvenile Fillies.

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