The Breeder's Cup Classic ....... and it's aftermath

Who would have thought, the biggest race of the thoroughbred season would have an outcome that sent the race world into a frenzy. The start and finish of this year's Breeder's Cup Classic not only had an effect in the wagering aspect of the race, but also did on year end honors in several thoroughbred categories.

According to California steward rules; the start of the race and any inference no matter how blatant it was, does not matter in the outcome of the race. Horses will swerve, come out, bear in or generally not break cleanly at the start and under California rules are not disqualified automatically. This is a general rule and under this circumstance was the reason that Bayern was not disqualified in the Classic. But, by bearing in he did interfere with Shared Belief, which in turned knocked the other speed in the race; Moreno off stride. This left Bayern alone on the lead and the one to catch. Runner up in the race; Toast of New York also cut in front of Shared Belief shortly after the start and also could have been moved down in the finishing order. So, technically both Bayern and Toast of New York could have been a double disqualification. But, the stewards let the finish stand and Bayern holds on for victory and not only upsets in the race, but upsets the apple cart in the three year old male division and possibly Horse of the Year honors.

Going into the Classic, Bayern was a longshot of sorts for the three year old championship. Even though he had a solid year, his dismal efforts going two turns in the Preakness Stakes and Travers made him vulnerable going a distance of ground in grade I company. But when he's left alone on the lead, like in the Haskell at Monmouth and Pennsylvania Derby at PARX, he is dangerous! With six victories in ten starts this year, Bayern jumps back into the picture for top three year old of the year honors. California Chrome finished a good third in the Classic, rebounding from two previous sub par efforts in the Belmont Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby. He had a six race winning streak previously to both those off the board starts. He'll return in the Hollywood Derby making his grass debut in a few weeks. With a bad effort there, it's quite possible that Bayern, steals the show again and wins the three year old championship.

California Chrome was leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors if he won the Classic. It would have been hard to deny him this honor with winning two thirds of the Triple Crown and the biggest older race of the year. But by racing third, even a victory in the Hollywood Derby isn't enough to get him this reward. Bayern's two bad efforts cost him the big prize, even though he still has a shot at top sophomore honors. There are no older dirt males left after retirements that did anything remotely enough to be top horse of the year. Possibly, Untapable the three year old filly who won the Kentucky Oaks and Breeder's Cup Distaff has an outside chance at Horse of the Year honors, but the caliber of fillies she faced this year weren't the best. This leaves a European import who didn't even race in this country until mid summer. But this five year old gelding son of Aldebaran reeled off four straight grade I victories on the weeds going a marathon distance and made a name for himself. The Graham Motion trained; Main Sequence is the leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors and could make a grass horse a three time top horse of the year after Wise Dan has captured the honor the past two years. 2014 has been a interesting year with formful horses leading the way, up until two Saturday evenings ago. Now, it's anyone's guess who will take home the honors. And like the start of the Classic, it won't be a clean getaway for the winners!