First Look: 20 graded stakes, 9 Breeders' Cup qualifiers on tap

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The Breeders' Cup Championships are less than six weeks away now, and the fields should come into focus more clearly this weekend as nine qualifying races are planned at Belmont Park and Santa Anita.

Knicks Go is lined up for his final Breeders' Cup tuneup at Churchill Downs. Medina Spirit is expected at Santa Anita after pulling out of the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Four juvenile qualifiers are also on the calendar.

In all, 20 graded stakes are on tap this weekend. Here is a look at the likely fields, where available.

Friday

Santa Anita

American Pharaoh (G1), 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds

Forbidden Kingdom, a son of American Pharoah, is one of several colts coming off maiden wins in California who are possible here. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

2021 American Pharoah (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Forbidden Kingdom American Pharoah	5.85	R. Mandella	1st, Dmr MSW (8/21/2021-R4)	Possible
		Pinehurst Twirling Candy	5.62	B. Baffert	1st, 2021 Del Mar Futurity (G1)	Possible
		Corniche Quality Road	4.74	B. Baffert	1st, Dmr MSW (9/4/2021-R10)	Possible
		Oviatt Class Bernardini	4.59	J. Desormeaux	1st, Dmr MSW (8/27/2021-R4)	Possible
		Rockefeller Medaglia d'Oro	4.07	B. Baffert	1st, Dmr MSW (8/28/2021-R8)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpY4FzuY0C0	Possible

Race Video

Probables were not available for two other Breeders' Cup qualifiers taking place at Santa Anita on Friday: the Chandelier (G2) at 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-old fillies, and the Speakeasy at five furlongs (turf) for 2-year-olds. Probables also were not available for the Eddie D. (G2) at 6 1/2 furlongs (turf) for 3-year-olds and up.

Saturday

Santa Anita

Awesome Again (G1), 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Disputed Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, scratched from the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) after a wide draw, is expected here for his first start since winning the Shared Belief Stakes. Santa Anita Handicap (G1) hero Idol returns off a layoff dating to that victory. Tripoli has won three of his last four starts, including the Pacific Classic (G1). This race is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

2021 Awesome Again (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Medina Spirit Protonico	8.10	B. Baffert	1st, 2021 Shared Belief Stakes (LS)	Probable
		Idol Curlin	7.54	R. Baltas	1st, 2021 Santa Anita Handicap (G1)	Possible
		Tripoli Kitten's Joy	7.05	J. Sadler	1st, 2021 Pacific Classic (G1)	Probable
		Express Train Union Rags	6.83	J. Shirreffs	6th, 2021 Pacific Classic (G1)	Possible
		Tizamagician Tiznow	6.69	R. Mandella	2nd, 2021 Pacific Classic (G1)	Possible
		Laurel River Into Mischief	4.27	B. Baffert	1st, Dmr AlwOC (9/6/2021-R7)	Possible

Race Video

Rodeo Drive (G1), 1 1/4 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Going to Vegas and Dogtag could have a rematch here after finishing 1-2 in the John C. Mabee (G2). This race is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Going to Vegas has won three of herr last four starts, and Dogtag has four straight runner-up efforts.

2021 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Going To Vegas Goldencents	7.05	R. Baltas	1st, 2021 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2)	Probable
		Dogtag War Front	5.94	R. Mandella	2nd, 2021 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2)	Possible
		Crystalle Palace Malice	5.82	P. Miller	5th, 2021 CTT and TOC Stakes (LS)	Possible

Race Video

Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), six furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

C Z Rocket edged out Flagstaff by a head for a second-place finish in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) last out for both. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

2021 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		C Z Rocket City Zip	7.98	P. Miller	2nd, 2021 Pat O'Brien Handicap (G2)	Possible
		Flagstaff Speightstown	6.90	J. Sadler	3rd, 2021 Pat O'Brien Handicap (G2)	Possible
		Vertical Threat Tapiture	6.48	R. Baltas	1st, 2021 Russell Road Stakes (LS)	Possible
		Dr. Schivel Violence	5.97	M. Glatt	1st, 2021 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1)	Possible

Race Video

Probables were not available for the John Henry Turf Championship (G2), at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds and up, or the City of Hope Mile (G2), at one mile (turf) for 3-year-olds and up.

Belmont Park

Woodward (G1), 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Maxfield will look to rebound from the second loss of his career after finishing 4 1/2 lengths behind Knicks Go in the Whitney Stakes (G1). By My Standards has not won a graded stakes this year and was fifth in the Whitney. Code of Honor's win in the Philip H. Iselin (G3) came after a seven-month layoff. Art Collector's Charles Town Classic (G2) victory was his second straight win.

2021 Woodward (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Maxfield Street Sense	8.39	B. Walsh	2nd, 2021 Whitney (G1)	Probable
		By My Standards Goldencents	7.43	W. Calhoun	5th, 2021 Whitney (G1)	Probable
		Code of Honor Noble Mission	7.29	C. McGaughey III	1st, 2021 Philip H. Iselin (G3)	Probable
		Art Collector Bernardini	6.66	W. Mott	1st, 2021 Charles Town Classic (G2)  https://youtu.be/6zoo1iLDkG0	Probable
		Dr Post Quality Road	6.24	T. Pletcher	3rd, 2021 Pacific Classic (G1)	Probable
		Forza Di Oro Speightstown	5.60	W. Mott	3rd, 2021 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)	Possible

Race Video

Champagne (G1), one mile, 2-year-olds

Gunite beat Wit by 5 3/4 lengths in the Hopeful (G1), the last start for both of them. My Prankster is 1-for-1 after winning a maiden at Saratoga by 10 lengths. Jack Christopher won by 8 3/4 lengths in his debut, also at Saratoga. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

2021 Champagne (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Gunite Gun Runner	7.15	S. Asmussen	1st, 2021 Hopeful (G1)	Probable
		Wit Practical Joke	6.38	T. Pletcher	2nd, 2021 Hopeful (G1)	Probable
		My Prankster Into Mischief	5.23	T. Pletcher	1st, Sar MSW (8/21/2021-R7)	Probable
		Jack Christopher Munnings	5.19	C. Brown	1st, Sar MSW (8/28/2021-R2)	Probable
		Don't Wait Up Upstart	5.09	A. Dutrow	1st, Sar MSW (9/6/2021-R7)	Possible
		Kavod Lea	4.67	J. Chapman	5th, 2021 With Anticipation (G3)	Probable
		Affable Monarch Arrogate	4.59	J. Duarte	1st, Mth MSW (9/6/2021-R4)	Possible

Race Video

Miss Grillo (G2), 1 1/16 miles (turf), 2-year-old fillies

In her debut at Saratoga, McKulick overtook the leader near the 16th pole to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Hail To beat Kinchen by 3/4 of a length in their last race. Philly Eagles moved to trainer Mark Casse's barn after winning on debut in England.

2021 Miss Grillo (G2)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		McKulick Frankel	4.84	C. Brown	1st, Sar MSW (8/8/2021-R2)	Probable
		Charlee O Tourist	4.79	M. Nevin	6th, 2021 Bolton Landing (LS)	Probable
		Hail To Kitten's Joy	4.79	T. Albertrani	1st, Sar MSW (8/29/2021-R6)	Probable
		Sail By Astern	4.45	L. Gyarmati	3rd, 2021 P. G. Johnson (LS)	Probable
		Kinchen Lope de Vega	4.34	C. Brown	2nd, Sar MSW (8/29/2021-R6)	Probable
		Hope Over Fear Cupid	3.79	W. Mott	6th, Sar MSW (9/5/2021-R1)	Probable
		Philly Eagles Havana Gold		M. Casse		Probable

Race Video

Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational (G3), six furlongs (turf), 3-year-olds and up

This will be a rematch for the 1-2 finishers in the listed Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga, where Pulsate beat Backtohisroots by a neck. Maxwell Esquire finished seventh in that race and has not won in three starts since April.

2021 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational (G3)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Maxwell Esquire Discreet Cat	5.59	C. Clement	7th, 2021 Lucky Coin (RS)	Possible
		Buy Land and See Cairo Prince	5.12	A. Dutrow	4th, 2020 Hill Prince (G2)	Probable
		Backtohisroots Mark Valeski	5.09	J. Terranova	2nd, 2021 Lucky Coin (RS)	Probable
		Caravel Mizzen Mast	5.07	H. Motion	6th, 2021 Turf Monster (G3)	Possible
		Pulsate Speightstown	4.79	R. Ribaudo	1st, 2021 Lucky Coin (RS)	Probable
		Fast Getaway Into Mischief	4.45	O. Barrera	2nd, Sar Claim (8/26/2021-R10)	Probable

Race Video

Churchill Downs

Lukas Classic (G3), 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

The field here is expected to be led by Knicks Go off his Whitney (G1) win. Shared Sense's win in the Tri-State Overnight Stakes at Ellis Park was his second start after a seven-month layoff. Independence Hall finished fifth in the Pacific Classic (G1) last out after a four-month break. This would be the first start for Tacitus since his seventh-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1).

2021 Lukas Classic Stakes (G3)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Knicks Go Paynter	7.97	B. Cox	1st, 2021 Whitney (G1)	Probable
		Tacitus Tapit	7.38	W. Mott	7th, 2021 Saudi Cup  https://youtu.be/7nTqys-mZaU	Probable
		Independence Hall Constitution	6.41	M. McCarthy	5th, 2021 Pacific Classic (G1)	Probable
		Shared Sense Street Sense	5.81	B. Cox	1st, 2021 Tri-State Overnight Stakes (LS)	Probable

Race Video

Ack Ack (G3), one mile, 3-year-olds and up

Excuplatory and Aloha West both have won three of their last four starts, and both are trying graded-stakes company for the first time. 4-year-old Atoka broke her maiden two starts ago and then won an allowance race at Ellis Park for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

2021 Ack Ack (G3)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Rushie Liam's Map	6.34	M. McCarthy	3rd, 2021 Charles Town Classic (G2)  https://youtu.be/6zoo1iLDkG0	Probable
		Mr Dumas Majesticperfection	6.09	J. Ortiz	5th, 2021 Buckland (LS)	Probable
		Atoka Union Rags	4.84	D. Lukas	1st, ElP MSW (8/13/2021-R5)	Probable
		Aloha West Hard Spun	4.45	W. Catalano	1st, Sar AlwOC (9/2/2021-R4)	Probable
		Exculpatory Mineshaft	4.45	M. Reid	1st, 2021 Robert Hilton Memorial (LS)	Probable

Race Video

Sunday

Belmont

Frizette (G1) one mile, 2-year-old fillies

Echo Zulu is 2-for-2 after a four-length win in the Spinaway (G1). Gerrymander graduated in his second start last month at Saratoga. A Mo Reay, also expected here, finished third in that maiden race. The Frizette is a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

2021 Frizette (G1)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Echo Zulu Gun Runner	6.95	S. Asmussen	1st, 2021 Spinaway (G1)	Probable
		A Mo Reay Uncle Mo	5.12	T. Pletcher	3rd, Sar MSW (8/29/2021-R5)	Probable
		Gerrymander Into Mischief	4.79	C. Brown	1st, Sar MSW (8/29/2021-R5)	Probable
		Jester Calls Nojoy Maclean's Music	4.67	T. Pletcher	1st, Sar MSW (9/5/2021-R8)	Probable
		Juju's Map Liam's Map	4.47	B. Cox	1st, ElP MSW (9/3/2021-R6)	Possible
		Jumeirah Twirling Candy	4.45	C. David	2nd, 2021 Sorority (LS)	Probable
		Saucy Lady T Tonalist	4.45	J. Chapman	3rd, 2021 Spinaway (G1)	Probable
		Frosty Brew Frosted		C. McGaughey III	1st, Lrl MSW (9/9/2021-R6)	Probable

Race Video

Pilgrim (G2), 1 1/16 miles (turf), 2-year-olds

Annapolis won his first start by 4 1/2 lengths at Saratoga on Sept. 4. Kiss the Sky rallied to finish second last out in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile.

2021 Pilgrim (G2)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Annapolis War Front	5.59	T. Pletcher	1st, Sar MSW (9/4/2021-R6)	Probable
		Kiss The Sky Twirling Candy	5.09	M. Maker	2nd, 2021 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile (LS)	Probable
		Portfolio Company Kitten's Joy	4.79	C. Brown	2nd, 2021 With Anticipation (G3)	Probable
		Shimmering Leroid Treasure Beach	4.79	B. McCarthy	1st, Mth MSW (9/11/2021-R4)	Possible
		Doctor Jeff Street Boss	4.47	R. Rodriguez	5th, 2021 Saratoga Special (G2)	Probable
		Limited Liability Kitten's Joy	4.47	C. McGaughey III	3rd, 2021 With Anticipation (G3)	Probable

Race Video

Waya (G3), 1 3/8 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

My Sister Nat has made the board but failed to win in her last four starts. Magic Attitude has not had a start since finishing sixth in the Diana (G1) in July.

2021 Waya (G3)

*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.

Rank	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start	Status
		Magic Attitude Galileo	6.17	A. Delacour	6th, 2021 Diana (G1)	Possible
		My Sister Nat Acclamation	5.87	C. Brown	3rd, 2021 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1)	Probable
		Always Shopping Awesome Again	5.67	T. Pletcher	5th, 2021 Matchmaker Stakes (G3)	Probable
		Orglandes Le Havre	5.59	C. Brown	6th, 2021 Glens Falls (G2)	Probable
		Micheline Bernardini	5.23	M. Stidham	6th, 2021 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (LS)	Possible
		Cat's Pajamas Street Sense	5.12	H. Motion	4th, Sar AlwOC (8/20/2021-R6)	Probable
		Call Me Love Sea The Stars	4.84	C. Clement	7th, 2021 Glens Falls (G2)	Probable
		Lovely Lucky Lookin At Lucky	4.79	T. Albertrani	4th, 2021 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1)	Probable
		Sister Otoole Amira's Prince		H. Motion	2nd, Sar AlwOC (8/20/2021-R6)	Probable

Race Video

Probables were not available for two graded stakes at Santa Anita: the Zenyatta (G2), at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up and a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, and the Chillingworth (G3), at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. Probables also were not available for Woodbine's Ontario Fashion (G3), at six furlongs for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.