One of the main contenders in the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic is Hard Spun. The horse finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby, 3rd in the Preakness and 4th in the Belmont.
He is coming off a big win in the Kentucky Cup Classic in his last start where he beat Street Sense in a prep race for the Breeders Cup Classic. The 2007 Breeders Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on October 27th is full of talented horses including Hard Spun. Hard Spun and Curlin were the only horses to race in all three legs of the Triple Crown and both will be in the Breeders Cup Classic.
Hard Spun is from the great sire Danzig who has produced five Breeders Cup winners. Hard Spun was second to Any Given Saturday at Monmouth Park earlier this year in the Haskell and won the King’s Bishop Stakes in August. Hard Spun was bred for endurance but usually wins from on the lead and that could be a problem in the Breeders Cup Classic. There are a number of talented horses that can close in the Breeders Cup Classic so it will take an effort beyond what he has shown for Hard Spun to win this year’s Breeders Cup Classic.
Probable Betting Odds: 8-1
Trainer: Larry Jones
Jockey: Mario Pino
Dosage Index 2.67
2007 Record: Four wins, two 2nd place finishes and one 3rd place finish. (9-4-2-1)
2007 Key Races:
2nd in Kentucky Derby – Finished 2nd to Street Sense but could not hold on for the win.
3rd in Preakness Stakes – Was not good enough to run with Street Sense and Curlin and finished third.
4th in Belmont Stakes – Was never really a factor as the race was just too long for him and finished a well beaten fourth.
1st in King’s Bishop Stakes – Won the race over a fast track.
2nd in Haskell Invitational – Hard Spun was second by over four lengths to Any Given Saturday.
1st in Kentucky Cup Classic – Hard Spun slowed the pace down and held off Street Sense to get the win in his prep race for the Breeders Cup Classic.