Pharoah and Honor Code: Likely BC Classic Faves Despite Losses

The discussion, of course, begins with American Pharoah who last ran August 29 at Saratoga in a shocking defeat as the heavy favorite. The question with Bob Baffert’s Triple Crown winning sensation is not ability. In top form, American Pharoah would be extremely difficult to defeat in the Breeders’ Cup, but just how much does the champ have left in the tank? Few, including Baffert, know the answer to this question, so handicappers will be well-advised to closely follow the colt’s workout pattern over the next three weeks.

Pharoah now faces better

Another looming question for American Pharoah will be the level of competition. Indubitably, he will be facing the deepest and most talented field of his career while also facing elders for the first time. If the Travers proved anything, American Pharoah did not look comfortable when hounded by Frosted through the first six furlongs. A race like the Breeders’ Cup Classic will almost always test a speed horse’s ability to withstand swift early fractions.

Honor Code must overcome quirks 

Then there’s Honor Code. Based solely on talent, the strapping Shug McGaughey trainee may be without peer – to include American Pharoah. Consistency and a quirky late-running style, however, have contributed to some puzzling losses for the four year-old son of A.P. Indy including his third-place finish in the Grade 3 Kelso October 3. For Honor Code, it’s all about pace and whether or not he handles the Keeneland surface as he appears to be a horse that is particular about what he runs on. As the Classic draws closer, handicappers will surely be torn with the critical decision of leaning on the top two choices, or deciding whether they can be logically beaten with a bigger price.