It’s difficult to assess the overall quality of the field for the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park until we see the final lineup. Had Smarty Jones remained healthy and in Derby-Preakness form, he would have created an obvious buzz in a race that shapes up to offer a fascinating blend of racing styles. But as sharp as Smarty ran in the Triple Crown, I am afraid he might have been overmatched by the speed and stamina shown by three Classic candidates.

Roses in May, Saint Liam and Ghostzapper must be rated as early favorites for the 1¼-mile Lone Star shootout, but their similar pace-pressing running styles might hurt them in the long run. It seems a virtual certainty that the Classic will be run with an unbelievably fast, early pace if this trio goes postward.

Speed figure number crunchers are still amazed by the performances of Ghostzapper and Saint Liam in the recently contested Grade 1 Woodward Stakes. Granted, this historic 1 1/8-mile  event was contested on the one-turn, speed-favoring Belmont Park racing strip. That said, it boggles the mind that the winner, Ghostzapper, and runner-up Saint Liam could throw down consecutive quarter-mile fractional splits of 23.3, 22.0 (wow), 23.0, and 24.2 and still be standing at the end. The amazing final time of 1:46.38 underlines their tremendous effort.

Suicidal interior fractions
The Ghost had the preferred outside path in the stretch, and was carried even wider by the drifting Saint Liam. But given the suicidal interior fractions, the stretch duel between the two has to be viewed as nothing short of amazing, with both conditioners understandably proud of their respective horses.

Hall-of-Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who won back-to-back Woodwards with Lido Palace in 2001 and 2002, knew this was a crucial distance and stamina test for his Ghostzapper.

“He is a really good horse,” Frankel said after the Woodward. “This is the first battle he’s been in, and he handled it well. I was just surprised we couldn’t put Saint Liam away earlier.”

“I can’t beat Frankel,” moaned Richard Dutrow, trainer of the tough-luck runner-up. “It was a great race, a great thrill. We’ll look at the Breeders’ Cup Classic if the owners want to. He showed he belongs in there but I don’t think his best game is going to the lead, like he did today.”

Roses in May adds even more speed to the Classic lineup.

He is a 4-year-old son of the hard-knocking Devil His Due, who himself lost to the improbable Arcangues in the 1993 Classic at Santa Anita Park. Roses in May is a perfect 5-for-5 this season, including a convincing win in the Whitney Stakes in early August at Saratoga. Just like Ghostzapper and Saint Liam in the Woodward, this horse was supposed to wilt in the Spa stretch after impressive two-turn fractions.

But that didn’t happen either.

Velazquez has Roses in May mount
Red-hot rider John Velazquez has this mount lined up for the Classic and warmed up for the task with a solid victory in last Saturday’s Grade 2 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. As the big favorite that day, the jockey was under firm instructions from trainer Dale Romans to simulate the Breeders’ Cup distance by “going out” after the wire.

No, not “going out” to the nearest restaurant for celebration -- extra training beyond the finish line.

“Dale wanted to make sure I had him comfortable from the start and down the backside.” Velazquez said. “Then he wanted me to make sure I rode him down the lane and actually another eighth of a mile past the wire.”

Although owners Ken and Sarah Ramsay named the horse with the Kentucky Derby in mind, they must be thrilled about the chances of Roses in May at Lone Star Park in the Classic and the $4 million purse that is on the line.

Should Ghostzapper, Saint Liam and Roses in May all compete for the Classic, a hot, early pace is a guarantee, which could work to the benefit of bonafide closers such as Pleasantly Perfect, Birdstone, Choctaw Nation, Domestic Dispute and Evening Attire, assuming all of them make the race.

Even a notorious plodder such as The Cliff’s Edge would relish that pace scenario.

To repeat, until we get a peek at the final field for the Classic, it’s impossible to see how the important pace factor will play out. There is potential for serious early gas. But whoever shows up in Dallas had better have packed their running shoes if Ghostzapper, Saint Liam, or Roses in May have entered into the field.

All three have championship races on their resumes strong enough to make this year’s Classic another notch on the belt. Whether the trio can repeat those amazing runs adds to the intrigue.

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