In Some Ways, a Most Unexpected Classic Field

When it became clear late last year that the top six finishers—all 3-year-olds—in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) would return to racing this season, the 2015 edition of North America's richest race promised to be a showcase of talented older runners.

Instead the handicap division this season has proved to be the latest reminder of how unpredictable horse racing can be. Of those top six finishers from last year, only fifth-place finisher Tonalist is among the pre-entries in this year's Classic.

While this year's Classic promises plenty of star power in Triple Crown winner American Pharoah making his final start and two-time Breeders' Cup winner Beholder taking on males for the event's biggest prize, many of the runners fans hoped to see will not be back, a list that includes 2014 Classic winner Bayern, runner-up Toast of New York, dual classic winner California Chrome (third in Classic), champion 2-year-old Shared Belief (fourth), and sixth-place finisher Candy Boy.

SHINAR: Bayern Wins Breeders' Cup Classic Slugfest

Kaleem Shah's Bayern may have been the most puzzling horse in 2015; the son of Offlee Wild   failed to register a victory in five starts. His top placings were thirds in the San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar and the Sept. 26 Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, after which he was retired. 

"I know going in how difficult and tough this race is. I've been lucky, last year Bayern got out there and just ran the race of his life," Baffert said. "Unfortunately, I could never get him to run that race again. But he did it on the right day."

Injury accounted for most of the 2015 4-year-olds who failed to make it back to the Classic. Group II winner Toast of New York suffered a soft tissue injury in the spring while preparing for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). The good news is the son of Thewayyouare is still in training in England.

California Chrome, last year's Horse of the Year, was not able to make another start after his runner-up finish in this year's Dubai World Cup. The son of Lucky Pulpit   was sidelined by a cannon bone bruise but his connections also plan to race him in 2016, possibly as early as January with trainer Art Sherman.

BALAN: California Chrome Back Home in Sherman Barn

Shared Belief started his year in spectacular fashion, winning his first two races including a 4 1/4-length romp in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). But the five-time grade I winner suffered a hip fracture in the Charles Town Classic Stakes (gr. II) in April. He returned to light training in September.

Grade II winner Candy Boy was sold privately after his sixth-place Classic finish and he finished fourth for his new connections in the Dubai World Cup, his lone start this season. 

The one horse back this year from last year's top-six Classic finishers is fifth-place Tonalist, who enters off a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (gr. I), which he also won before last year's Classic. The classic-winning son of Tapit   will be looking for his first graded stakes win away from Belmont Park in this year's Breeders' Cup.