‘Chrome’ installed as even-money Breeders’ Cup Classic favorite

California Chrome, vying to cap an unbeaten 2016 with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was installed as the even-money favorite for Saturday’s $6 million race.
Chrome, North America’s all-time leading money winner who is flourishing two years after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2014 as a three-year-old, drew the fourth post Monday for the 1 1/4-mile race that will cap the two-day, $28 million Breeders’ Cup extravaganza at Santa Anita Park.
California Chrome’s six victories this year include a dominant win in the Dubai World Cup. With jockey Victor Espinoza in the irons he will try to expunge the memory of his third-placed finish in the 2014 Classic.
“Victor and I were talking about the draw and he told me that it really didn?t matter to him which post we got,” said trainer Art Sherman. “We’ve all got that long run into the first turn.
“I agree with him. This horse is ready,” Sherman said of the horse with the flashy white marks, who has amassed career earnings of $13.4 million. “He’s better now than he has ever been.”
Three-year-old Arrogate, winner of the Travers Stakes by an astonishing 13 1/2 lengths in August, will break from the 10th post and was priced at 5-2.
Frosted was made the early third choice at 5-1.
The Classic will be without a couple of this year’s notable names.
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist was pulled from the race with a swollen ankle.
Found, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine, was available for the Classic, but instead her connections chose to have her defend her title in the 1 1/2-mile Turf.
Found will break from the 10th post in a 13-horse field with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
O’Brien’s Highland Reel will drew the 12th post while Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses will be in seven with the David O’Meara-trained Mondialiste in six as Europe again fields a strong challenge in the $4 million race on Saturday.
The 13-race program kicks off on Friday with four races, including the 1 1/8-mile, $2 million Distaff.
Songbird, a three-year-old filly unbeaten in 11 races will be up against older fillies and mares for the first time, but was made the early 6-5 favorite after drawing the number one post.
Jockey Mike Smith will be aboard as Songbird tries to withstand the challenge of Eclipse Award winners Beholder and Stellar Wind.
“She just jumps away from the gate so quickly that drawing the rail really should have no effect on her,” Smith said. “I think she’s the natural speed in the race to start with. It’s pretty straightforward.”