BC Classic Top 7

With the US Major preps over, here are the Top 7 Horses to Watch in the Classic.

1. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam)- Beat the boys, won for fun in the Slop in the Beldame. While she has yet to win at 10 furlongs, she has been very close both times she's run at the distance. Will work at Keeneland which has worked before for her owners with Round Pond. I just hope her arch rival Blind Luck who uncharistically not closing in her race yesterday. Was third in the Ladies Classic last year.

2. Tizway (Tiznow)- Dispite missing the Jockey Club Gold Cup, that race really did not show much with a horse for a course winning and a Marathon contender in second. Lets just hope his illness doesn't take his sharpness off.

3. Awesome Gem (Awesome Again)- Yes he was second in his race today, but man was he closing like a train. He actually could go in several races, but I would love to see him go in the Classic. He's had the best finish (3rd in 07) there. Plus with the speed in the race, he could pick up the pieces.

4. Flat Out (Flatter)- Yes he's won at mile and a quarter now, something that 2 of the top 3 have not. However, he was sixth at Churchill earlier this year and both of his graded stakes wins where at Belmont. Plus his mile and a quarter JCGC winning time was the slowest since 1990 when the race went back to a mile and a quarter.

5. To Honor and Serve (Bernardini)- Distance should not be a problem (especially with Deputy Minister on the bottom), trainer also had his sire who was runner up in the Classic in 06. If he finishes in front of Uncle Mo in the Classic, he may very well be 3yo Champion Male. That's how wide open this group is.

6. Game On Dude (Awesome Again)- It's been an up and down season for him. He was able to turn the tables on Awesome Gem, but he is going to be on the lead to have a chance. He could make history with win in the Classic. Not only would it give his trainer his first Classic win, but he could make his jockey the first Female winning jock.

7. Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie)- stablemate Stay Thirsty was able to get out of the 2yo Champions shadow for the summer, but has taken a step back now that he's back. Not only did he put away Jackson Bend in the stretch, but he did it impressively. He's won at Churchill before. So why is he so low? Well he's a miler, not a mile and a quarter specialist. In matter of fact if he goes with the speed, he prob. backs up towards the end. However, a win in the Classic would give him another championship and very well Horse of the Year honors.

It will be interesting how this race turns out. The reason I did not include So You Think is that frankly Euro's don't have the greatest luck with 2 wins in the Classic. However, that doesn't he doesn't have a chance.