Breeders Cup Classic - Future Pool Two
Pool Opens: Friday, September 25th at 12pm (ET) to Sunday, September 27th at 6pm.
FOREVER YOUNG Yoshito Yahagi Real Steel
9/18/26 JC Gold Cup 10f Belmont RPR = 124 Pressed, Won Half: 48.34
3/28/26 Dubai World Cup 10f Meydan RPR = 123 Stalked, 2nd place Final: 2:04.38
2/14/26 Saudi Cup 9f King Abdul RPR = 126 Stalked, Won Final: 1:51.00
11/01/25 Breeders Cup Classic 10f DelMar RPR = 128 Pressed, Won Half: 45.97
10/01/25 Nippon TV Hai 9f Funabashi RPR = N/A Rear, Won Final: 1:52.20
4/05/25 Dubai World Cup 10f Meydan RPR = 116 Rear, 3rd place Final: 2:03.50
2/22/25 Saudi Cup 9f King Abdul RPR = 127 Midpack, Won Half: 48.09
Returning Champ flew on the new surface at Belmont first off long layoff and will be over-bet in this Pool and on the day of the race. The horse wins at 10f, regardless of pace and had only one off race in his career - well over a year ago in Meydan - but still hit the board. No doubt he'll come to Keeneland in top form again but in a Futures Pool, the shot has to be with the odds.
SOVEREIGNTY Bill Mott Into Mischief
8/8/26 Whitney 9f Saratoga RPR = 130 Rear, Won Half: 46.27
7/27/26 Stephen Foster 9f Churchill RPR = 113 Rear, 3rd place Half: 47.38
4/19/26 Oaklawn Handicap 9f Oaklawn RPR = 125 Lead, 2nd place Half: 47.03
8/23/25 Travers 10f Saratoga RPR = 131 Rear, Won Half: 47.43
7/26/26 Jim Dandy 9f Saratoga RPR = 128 Stalk, Won Half: 48.49
When this horse is fired up, he is unstoppable. Best RPR figures of the entire group, even surpassing Forever Young's best. Multi style helps in the big races and can adapt if need be. Best of the best if he comes from the rear.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE Bill Mott Nyquist
8/22/26 Pacific Classic 10f DelMar RPR = 123 Gate to Wire, Won Half: 45.94
7/18/23 Monmouth Cup 9f Monmouth RPR = 123 Gate to Wire, Won Half: 46.57
6/6/26 Met Mile 8f Saratoga RPR = 110 Gate to Wire, Won Half: 45.61
5/2/26 Churchill Stakes 7f Churchill RPR = 104 Pressed, 6th place Half: 45.03
2/28/26 Gulfstream Mile 8f Gulfstream RPR = 119 Stalked, Won Half: 45.33
Complete stand-out and first choice for the win in this Pool over Forever Young. What stands out is that his numbers grew higher the longer he went and he ran exactly the same figures from 9f at Monmouth to 10f at DelMar - both with killer fast pace on the lead. His last two RPR's match Forever Young, but sit under Sovereignty. Horse appears to be growing into his own now. He will have Napoleon Solo or Magnitude (or Nitrogen) up front with him out of the gate. Napoleon will never keep up with the type of early pace that Knightsbridge is capable of sustaining - and if he sits back to match Napoleon, he'll conserve energy even more. Magnitude has never posted half times like this either. I like the fact that he bombed at 7f as well - Just like Further Ado, not built to be a sprinter. He would need to improve slightly over the Pacific Classic to take it all the way here but at Keeneland, it seems quite plausible. Bias on the day will tell his fate, but for a futures bet, he does seem to be going in the right direction.
GOLDEN TEMPO Cherie DeVaux Curlin
8/29/26 Travers 10f Saratoga RPR = 116 Rear, 3rd Place Half: 47.95
6/6/26 Belmont Stakes 10f Saratoga RPR = 122 Rear, Won Half: 48.29
5/2/26 Kentucky Derby 10f Churchill RPR = 118 Rear, Won Half: 46.44
3/21/26 Louisiana Derby 9.5f Fairgrounds RPR = 104 Rear, 3rd Place Half: 46.23
A very lucky horse that is not in the same league as the hot shots in this group.
MAGNITUDE Steve Asmussen Not This Time
8/8/26 Whitney 9f Saratoga RPR = 96 Stalk, 6th place Half: 46.27
6/27/26 Stephen Foster 9f Churchill RPR = 125 Gate to Wire, Won Half: 47.38
3/28/26 Dubai World Cup 10f Meydan RPR = 125 Gate to Wire, Won Final: 2:04.38
2/28/26 Razorback 8.5f Oaklawn RPR = 125 Pressed, Won Half: 47.38
This horse reminds me of Mindframe from last years BC Classic so much. Nice horse when he wants to be, but the pace set-up won't be in his wheelhouse. He tanked up front in the Whitney when he was forced to 46.27 at the half. He likes it over 47. Highly doubt that will happen.
FURTHER ADO Brad Cox Gun Runner
9/19/26 PA Derby 9f Parx RPR = 116 Midpack, 2nd place Half: 47.69
7/18/26 Haskell Stakes 9f Monmouth RPR = 106 Stalked, 5th place Half: 48.29
6/7/26 Matt Winn 8.5f Churchill RPR = 118 Pressed, Won Half: 46.69
Favoritism aside, one of the main reasons why I would give this guy a slight nod with his odds in this Pool is not simply because we are talking about Keeneland. It is because of what he did at Parx, even in defeat. He had the Highest disadvantage on that Parx bias - lucky to even been 4th place in that race on that track, let alone 2nd. He came flying like a Champ too late going short. Not sure why the horse went the Haskell/PA Derby route as opposed to the Travers and I hope he doesn't get moved to the Dirt Mile. Further Ado is not bred to be a speedy miler. I dont think he has it yet to win this race outright, but he sure is a candidate to be with the best of them in the end.
NITROGEN Mark Casse Medaglia d'Oro
8/8/26 Whitney 9f Saratoga RPR = 114 Lead, 2nd place Half: 46.27
6/5/26 Ogden Phipps 9f Saratoga RPR = 124 Gate to Wire, Won Half: 47.26
Tons of class and a killer list of accomplishments on the PPs. Would highly factor in on a superfecta bet but not sure as a win contender for the Futures. A possible half-decent longshot play based on such a consistent resume. The solo 10f attempt produced a win in the Alabama which proves the 10f is no problem. Out of the 30-1+ odds group, a very nice stand-out.
NAPOLEON SOLO Chad Summers Liam's Map
8/29/26 Travers 10f Saratoga RPR = 120 Lead, 2nd Place Half: 47.95
7/18/26 Haskell 9f Monmouth RPR = 117 Lead, 2nd Place Half: 48.29
5/16/26 Preakness 9.5f Laurel Park RPR = 118 Pressed, Won Half: 46.66
His effort in the Travers was excellent and he did post his best at 10f, even in defeat. The problem for Napoleon is simply how fast Knightsbridge can move early and that extra distance will surely not aid his cause at Keeneland. Nitrogen seems a better fit for a longshot futures play.
THE PUMA Gustavo Delgado Essential Quality
9/19/26 PA Derby 9f Parx RPR = 114 Rear, Won Half: 47.69
8/29/26 Travers 10f Saratoga RPR = 114 Rear, 4th Place Half: 47.95
7/18/26 Haskell 9f Monmouth RPR = 106 Rear, 4th place Half: 48.29
3/28/26 Florida Derby 9f Gulfstream RPR = 113 Rear, 2nd Place Half: 48.80
RPR's are terrible. He was handed the PA Derby trophy on a silver platter with 6 of his competitors being duds and his main competitor, Further Ado, completely against that bias. As a matter of fact, even though The Puma won the race, Ado was given a better RPR for his effort. That says alot. PP's are just not up to speed either for the BC Classic.
RENEGADE Todd Pletcher Into Mischief
8/29/26 Travers 10f Saratoga RPR = 99 Rear, 8th Place Half: 47.95
7/26/26 Jim Dandy 9f Saratoga RPR = 119 Rear, Won Half: 48.49
6/6/26 Belmont Stakes 10f Saratoga RPR = 109 Rear, 3rd Place Half: 48.29
5/2/26 Kentucky Derby 10f Churchill RPR = 118 Rear, 2nd Place Half: 46.44
The Travers performance set him back 10 pegs on the Classic list. He is simply not fast enough at 10f. He sits in the same boat with Golden Tempo.
THE REST:
30-1 BAEZA Bill Mott McKinzie
50-1 NEVADA BEACH Bob Baffert Omaha Beach
60-1 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING Saffie Joseph Exaggerator
60-1 BABY VINO Lindsay Shultz Vino Rosso
80-1 ORIGINAL SIN Brendan Walsh Curlin
90-1 PHILEAS FOGG Gustavo Rodriguez Astern
90-1 SEA STRIKE Chad Brown Midshipman
25-1 ALL OTHER STARTERS
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