Del Mar, CA, Nov 1 – This Saturday, the $7 million Grade I Longines Breeders Cup Classic at Del Mar is set to elevate international horse racing as it features the three leading three-year-olds globally.
Representing the United States is Fierceness, last year’s American two-year-old champion and a three-time Grade I winner this year. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, Fierceness aims to overcome a disappointing 15th place in the Kentucky Derby and secure the three-year-old championship for owner Mike Repole.
City of Troy, hailing from Ireland, is another strong contender, having triumphed in multiple Group 1 races, including the Epsom Derby. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, this marks his debut on dirt, but his pedigree suggests adaptability.
From Japan, Forever Young, after a tough third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, comes in with notable victories, including the Group 3 Saudi Derby. His trainer, Yahagi Yoshto, is hopeful, given his lineage tracing back to the 1989 Kentucky Derby winner, Sunday Silence.
Additional competitors include Sierra Leone and Highland Falls, each demonstrating impressive performances this season, contributing to what promises to be a legendary race.
The Classic is part of a two-day event brimming with competitive races.