2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic Entries
In the days leading up to the 38th Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (Saturday, Nov. 6). Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Nov. 1.
By Ed McNamara
Medina Spirit during the Preakness Stakes at Pilmico – Photo Courtesy of Anne M.Eberhardt
When will we learn whether this gritty little horse with the obscure pedigree will keep the Kentucky Derby (G1) trophy? No one can say when his drug case will be adjudicated, but what we do know is that if Medina Spirit isn’t in front after the first furlong, he doesn’t win.
His need-to-lead style served him well at Churchill Downs, when the other main speed, Rock Your World, broke badly and never got involved. Chances are that Medina Spirit’s front-running tactics won’t be as helpful on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
Knicks Go is also an all-or-nothing type, and he’s faster early than Medina Spirit. Unlike Medina Spirit, Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie, he’s never gone 1 1/4 miles, which is a key to the plot of the 38th Classic. So is the possibility that Hot Rod Charlie and/or Art Collector will pressure the two speed types.
Medina Spirit never has been out of the money in nine starts, eight of them stakes. He has four wins and two seconds, and his “worst” performance was a third in the Preakness (G1). His quality and courage are undeniable, and trainer Bob Baffert credits “class and determination” for his success. Medina Spirit comes in off a five-length runaway in the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 1 Awesome Again on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita.
“He’s just getting better and better,” Baffert said after the race. “You can see it and he’s getting stronger. What he did today against these horses was pretty amazing.”
Can Medina Spirit perform that well against the toughest field he’s ever faced? It seems unlikely but doubting Baffert in megabucks races often is costly.
2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic Profile: Medina Spirit
Post position: TBD
Odds: TBD
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Career record: 9-5-3-1
Career earnings: $2,525,200
Top Equibase speed figure: 110
Pedigree: Protonico-Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed
Color: Dark bay or brown
Running style: Front-runner
Betting advice: Unless you can get 5-1 or 6-1 on Medina Spirit, I’d stay away from him in the win pool. Expecting him to defeat Essential Quality, Knicks Go and Hot Rod Charlie is a big ask. Then again, he did beat Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie in the Derby. If you had him that day, reinvest some of that cash. If you didn’t, think twice.
Notes: Horses trained by Baffert failed five drug tests since May 2020, including Medina Spirit’s post-Derby positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone. The Breeders’ Cup has mandated stricter out-of-competition testing of his runners and greater security at his barn … Baffert, 68, is the all-time leader with 17 Triple Crown wins (seven Derbies, seven Preaknesses, three Belmonts). He also has 17 Breeders’ Cup victories, second to Wayne Lukas’ 20, and the most Breeders’ Cup earnings ($35.895 million) … Baffert has won the Classic five times, including last year with Authentic and John Velazquez aboard.
