Tipsheet: The Breeders' Cup Classic

A sensational field of 10 will go 1 1/4 miles on the Keeneland dirt in the headliner of a two-day racing extravaganza in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Classic Picks

• #2 Tiz the Law
• #10 Maximum Security
• #1 Tacitus
• #8 Improbable
• #4 Tom’s d’Etat

Classic Wagers

• $25 Win: #2 Tiz the Law ($25)
• $.50-cent Trifecta: 1,2,10 with 1,2,10 with all ($24)
• $.50-cent Superfecta: 2 with 1,10 with 1,4,8,10 with all ($21)

Classic Contenders

#1 TACITUS seeks his first Grade-1 conquer following six placings at the highest level for Mott. Juddmonte homebred has a trio of 10-furlong races under his belt this season, and he could receive a very good trip behind a fast pace from the rail post. Jose Ortiz will ride the live longshot in his Keeneland debut.

#2 TIZ THE LAW has earned a trio of Grade 1 victories this season and makes his first outing since a sharp second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Standout sophomore has trained in excellent fashion since his run at Churchill Downs, and his best performance makes him a formidable foe in his initial try with elders. Regular pilot Manny Franco will guide the superb New York-bred.

#3 BY MY STANDARDS brings in strong form with six straight top-two results in 2020 for Bret Calhoun. A measured winner of the Alysheba (G2) last time out, the Goldencents colt has earned bullet morning drills in two of his last four works, and if he takes to the Keeneland strip in his local bow, then he will be a major player late with Gabe Saez aboard.

#4 TOM’S D’ETAT makes his first appearance since a poor break cost him a better position in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga for Al Stall Jr. Immensely talented son of Smart Strike was a dominant winner of the 2019 Fayette (G2) in his lone prior try at Keeneland, and the versatile bay fits well in this spot with his best showing under Joel Rosario.

#5 TITLE READY has the look of an outsider in a star-studded field for Dallas Stewart. More Than Ready 5-year-old possesses a good turn of foot, but he will need a career-best effort to make noise in the Classic.

#6 HIGHER POWER is a Grade 1 winner at the trip for John Sadler. Medaglia d’Oro 5-year-old is winless in six straight since achieving his signature win, however, and he needs a life-time best in order to be a top-four contender late. Bay shows five solid local drills in anticipation of the Classic.

#7 GLOBAL CAMPAIGN led at every call to bag the Woodward (G1) for his biggest tally to date for Stanley Hough. Peaking son of Curlin is lightly raced with additional room for improvement, and he can’t be dismissed as an exotics player while in a fine form cycle. Javier Castellano inherits the mount.

#8 IMPROBABLE has never been better for Baffert with a trio of Grade 1 scores in succession. Versatile City Zip chestnut has been dominant in 2020 and rates as the one to beat in a fantastic field. Irad Ortiz Jr., who piloted this one to victory in the Whitney (G1) two prior, gets back in the silks.

#9 AUTHENTIC has never been worse than second from seven lifetime tries for Baffert. Kentucky Derby (G1) star was valiant in defeat in the recent Preakness (G1), and the speedy son of Into Mischief has trained swiftly in the interim, as well. John Velazquez stays in the controls atop the stellar sophomore.

#10 MAXIMUM SECURITY gives Baffert a formidable trio in the big one. The multiple Grade 1 winner didn’t run his best race when second in the Awesome Again (G1) last time out, but he has pointed for the Classic all season and will deliver his top performance while making his Keeneland debut on Saturday. The New Year’s Day colt will be forcing the tempo from the break under the guidance of Luis Saez.