Breeders' Cup: Mucciolo's contender rankings for 2021

(Photo by Coady Photography/Keeneland)

The Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships are rapidly approaching, with less than three weeks remaining until the grand spectacle of racing occurs. Del Mar will play host to the bonanza weekend of action, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6. For this piece, I have focused on the major events on the main surface that will take place on Saturday, tabbing my top five in each of those categories.

Here are my top contenders in the dirt races for Breeders’ Cup Saturday:

Classic

ESSENTIAL QUALITY -- Travers (G1) victory may have been his best yet
MAXFIELD -- Woodward (G1) prep sets him up for a big showing for Godolphin
KNICKS GO -- Fleet gray will try to run them off their feet
HOT ROD CHARLIE -- O’Neill charge belongs if he can avoid trouble
TRIPOLI -- Affinity for Del Mar makes him interesting at a price

Essential Quality winning his debut at Churchill Downs - Coady Photography

Maxfield winning the Stephen Foster S. (G2) at Churchill Downs - Coady Photography

Knicks Go at Belmont Park June 2, 2021 (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)

Hot Rod Charlie winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) - Photo by Jamie Newell/TwinSpires

Tripoli winning the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar - © Benoit Photo

Distaff

LETRUSKA -- Powerful mare could earn a fifth Grade 1 trophy of 2021
ROYAL FLAG -- Sleeper is getting very good at the right time for Brown
MALATHAAT -- Likely three-year-old filly champion will be a contender with her best
SHEDARESTHEDEVIL -- Hirsch (G1) romp on the surface adds to her appeal
PRIVATE MISSION -- Late developer is unbeaten going a route of ground

Letruska winning the Shuvee (G3) - Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photography/NYRA

Malathaat winning the Tempted S. - Coglianese Photography/NYRA

Shedaresthedevil winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) (Photo by Coady Photography)

Dirt Mile

GINOBILI -- Blinkers + Del Mar success make him the one to beat in my opinion
LIFE IS GOOD -- Once-beaten sophomore dazzles on his best day
SILVER STATE -- Met Mile (G1) star will appreciate a pace duel at Del Mar
MIND CONTROL -- Pletcher has Grade 1 star in prime form
EXPRESS TRAIN -- San Diego (G2) winner would be dangerous if he lands here

Ginobili wins the Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Life Is Good winning his debut at Del Mar - © Benoit Photo

Silver State (Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

Express Train and jockey Juan Hernandez win the San Pasqual S. (G2) (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Sprint

JACKIE’S WARRIOR -- Asmussen sensation is the one to beat
FOLLOWING SEA -- Vosburgh (G2) victor has room for improvement
DR. SCHIVEL -- Course specialist is the top sprinter in California
SPECIAL RESERVE -- Savvy claim is in peak condition for Maker
C Z ROCKET -- Loves the course and never runs a bad one

Jackie's Warrior winning the Champagne (G1) - Photo by Coglianese Photography/NYRA

C Z Rocket winning a Churchill Downs allowance race (Photo by Coady Photography)

Filly and Mare Sprint

GAMINE -- Superstar has decimated her competition in all four tries in 2021
BELL’S THE ONE -- Grade 1 heroine is the most consistent closer in the division
BELLA SOFIA -- Standout sophomore is currently on a roll
CE CE -- McCarthy pupil has found her niche and is a threat to win the race
CLUB CAR -- Addition of blinkers seemed to aid the hard-trying mare last time