Accelerate Aims to Provide Classic Answer in 2018

There is a solid favorite, even if there are questions regarding the strength of his super powers away from his home base.

There are not one, but two multi-surface talents, the youngest of which has thrived most when asked to travel the classic route of ground that can level even superior ability.

There are sentimental favorites, mercurial stars, even an international wonder whose connections could have easily let his last triumph stand as his swansong. While the 2018 edition of $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) has been cited for its lack of overt star power, it has answered the bell in terms of providing a multitude of contenders who could stand in the winner's circle at day's end without shocking the masses.

At the forefront of the full field of 14 entered for the 1 1/4-mile test at Churchill Downs is Hronis Racing's multiple grade 1 winner Accelerate , the California-based model of progression whose résumé, in most years, would be one that drains the confidence of those thinking he has exploitable holes. Whereas last season he was the surprise conqueror of champion Arrogate , the son of Lookin At Lucky  has become the unflappable leader of the handicap ranks in 2018, posting five wins from six starts including four grade 1 triumphs—three of which have come at the 10-furlong distance.

Were it not for the neck of City of Light  getting the best of him in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), Accelerate would be unblemished in his 5-year-old season. And were it not for trainer John Sadler's much discussed albatross that is a 0-for-41 Breeders' Cup record, his chestnut protégé with a classic turn of foot likely would have more respect as he attempts to stamp a championship-worthy season with his first victory outside of California.

"He does (get respect) out here in California, no doubt about that," Sadler said. "He's a really good horse, he has a great record this year, and he's probably beaten 40 or 50 Bob Baffert horses at different times. If he does (win the Classic), then he deserves it. We know (a Breeders' Cup win ) is going to happen at some point. What's comforting is the fact that you have really good horses."

 Accelerate is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the Classic and drew the outside post,14.

"The 14 is actually a good post because you're out in the clear and you have enough time to make a trip," Sadler said. "That's actually not a bad post at all."

If Accelerate's only perceived weak spot is the question of how he performs away from the West Coast, a couple of versatile counterparts could be primed to pounce.

Fellow Classic entrants Catholic Boy and Yoshida both hold the distinction of winning grade 1 races on turf and dirt this year, with the latter taking the Sept. 1 Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) in his main track debut. Were it not for Triple Crown winner Justify , Catholic Boy could have a solid claim for divisional honors off a season that has seen him capture the 10-furlong Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) prior to his four-length romp in the Aug. 25 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1).

Since arriving at Churchill Downs a couple weeks ago, Catholic Boy has aced the eye test in terms of his physical appearance. And no matter what condition Mother Nature leaves the Louisville oval come Nov. 3, trainer Jonathan Thomas feels his charge has given him the luxury of taking that worry off the table.

"(The Classic) is definitely wide open in that there are a lot of very accomplished horses, probably five or six where if they won, it wouldn't surprise anybody," Thomas said. "There is certainly not a horse who is going to be 7-5 at post time that we're all kind of conceding defeat to, and that opens up things. It opens things up tactically."

Catholic Boy's most successful tactic has been to sit on or just off the pace, but that first flight could feature multiple runners who have all flashed brilliance when allowed to dictate terms.

Godolphin's multiple group 1 winner Thunder Snow was at his best when he took control early in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) and kicked clear of champion West Coast  en route to a 5 3/4 length win. The son of Helmet has only had two starts since that victory, and has the infamy of his aborted run in the 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) hanging over him for his Classic try.

Both West Coast and his grade 1-winning stablemate McKinzie are capable of keeping things honest on the front end, as is regally bred Mendelssohn , who gamely held for third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) after prompting a hot early pace. Perhaps the biggest 'X' factors in the potential Classic outcome, though, hinge on how far multiple grade 1 winner Mind Your Biscuits can carry his speed and how Qatar Racing's four-time group 1 winner Roaring Lion handles the kickback in his final career start and first try on dirt.

Having already established himself among the world's best sprinters, Mind Your Biscuits will attempt to add another elite level to his reputation by stretching his ability over 10 furlongs. The son of Posse scored his first two-turn win in the 1 1/8-miles Lukas Classic Stakes (G3) at Churchill, and would benefit greatly if things get heated among those with early speed, as would late-running Gunnevera.

Roaring Lion's class is beyond dispute following victories in the Coral-Eclipse (G1), Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), and QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1), but the son of Kitten's Joy  faces a big ask as he travels stateside for a main-track slugfest just two weeks after his win in the Oct. 20 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot.

Entries: Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)

Churchill Downs, Saturday, November 03, 2018, Race 11

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $6,000,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:44 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Thunder Snow (IRE)	Christophe Soumillon	126	Saeed bin Suroor	12/1
2	2Roaring Lion (KY)	Oisin Murphy	122	John H. M. Gosden	20/1
3	3Catholic Boy (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	Jonathan Thomas	8/1
4	4Gunnevera (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	126	Antonio Sano	20/1
5	5Lone Sailor (KY)	James Graham	122	Thomas M. Amoss	30/1
6	6McKinzie (KY)	Mike E. Smith	122	Bob Baffert	6/1
7	7West Coast (KY)	John R. Velazquez	126	Bob Baffert	5/1
8	8Pavel (KY)	Mario Gutierrez	126	Doug F. O'Neill	20/1
9	9Mendelssohn (KY)	Ryan L. Moore	122	Aidan P. O'Brien	12/1
10	10Yoshida (JPN)	Jose L. Ortiz	126	William I. Mott	10/1
11	11Mind Your Biscuits (NY)	Tyler Gaffalione	126	Chad Summers	6/1
12	12Axelrod (FL)	Joe Bravo	122	Michael W. McCarthy	30/1
13	13Discreet Lover (FL)	Manuel Franco	126	Uriah St. Lewis	20/1
14	14Accelerate (KY)	Joel Rosario	126	John W. Sadler	5/2
15	15Collected (KY)	Joseph Talamo	126	Bob Baffert	30/1
16	16Toast of New York (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	126	Jamie Osborne	20/1