Columnist Ralph Siraco: Behrens can create his own destiny in Classic

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Oct. 25, 1999 | 9:54 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Friday. Write to him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103.

What do Behrens, Victory Gallop, Real Quiet, Free House, Silver Charm, Puerto Madero, Charismatic and Event of the Year have in common?

Not more than six months ago they were the contenders for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic. Each one was on his own schedule to meet on November 6 at Gulfstream Park for the $4 million showdown with the Horse of the Year title on the line.

Today, when the "pre-entries" are taken for Breeders' Cup XVI, only Behrens will make the show. Although there are others who have a chance at Horse Of The Year -- such as General Challenge, Lemon Drop Kid or River Keen -- Behrens may be the only one left with the title destiny in his hands. And he'll have to win the Classic to get the golden Eclipse trophy after two recent back-to-back losses.

But Breeders' Cup is the title-deciding day for all of racing, and only a pair of fillies have an outside chance to take the title with a Breeders' Cup victory whether Behrens wins or loses.

Silverbulletday, who also lost her most recent outing, could garner many votes with a decisive victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. And stablemate Chilukki, also trained by Bob Baffert, will attract much attention should she remain undefeated with a Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies win -- although she will have to shake the Favorite Trick fallout from 1997.

But Behrens will certainly recieve the "survivor of the year" title as the only one of the "fine nine" who made the show. This Classic could have been one of the ones.

Now the Classic, like the other divisional championship races on the eight-race Breeders' Cup card, is a wide-open affair that will substitute a multitude of marquee names with a variety of handicapping challenges that will make the $5 million-guaranteed Pick 6 as exciting as the races themselves. There will be no singletons on this year's Breeders' Cup Pick 6.

Here are the top contenders who are expected to pre-enter today, with the official published list to be released on Wednesday after a two-day clandestine incubation period:

1. Behrens -- Lost last pair of outings, but is the most accomplished in the handicap division and needs this victory for Horse of the Year consideration.

2. General Challenge -- The only 3-year-old to beat older horses (Pacific Classic), second in Goodwood 'Cap in last, needs to ship better to have a chance.

3. Budroyale -- Old class horse claimed for $50,000 earlier just polished off General Challenge and Old Trieste in Goodwood 'Cap. Hard knocker with championship heart.

4. Lemon Drop Kid -- Won Belmont Stakes and the Travers at Saratoga. Is eligible to uncork a big effort at any time but won't be effective if the track is muddy.

5. Almutawakel -- Dubai World Cup winner has performed well in two U.S. outings in preparation for the Breeders' Cup.

1. Silverbulletday -- Has lost just two races in career, the Belmont Stakes against the boys and the Beldame in her last start. Baffert trainee still the one to beat.

2. Beautiful Pleasure -- Won the Beldame in the slop in last. Excels on off-going and is ultra-dangerous if left alone on the lead. May not happen in this though.

3. Banshee Breeze -- May have lost a few steps since last year. Lost most recent outing at Keeneland in the all-important Spinster, but her best makes her tough.

4. Keeper Hill -- Promising Frankel trainee put it all together with a Spinster rail-skimming victory in last. Has all the potential in the world to repeat that effort here.

5. Manistique -- Another who has had better days. She recently won the Lady's Secret 'Cap at Santa Anita and needs to run her best-ever to beat this group.

1. Hawksley Hill -- Runner-up in last year's edition. Hard-luck horse won, then was disqualified in Atto Mile at Woodbine in last, but rider Pat Day said he learned something about the horse that will be helpful on Breeders' Cup day.

2. Silic -- Owned by Las Vegas connections. Ran a huge race in winning the Oak Tree Mile in last. Also won Shoemaker Mile with same run. Specialist at the trip.

3. Jim and Tonic -- European invader warmed up in Atto Mile at Woodbine when third while impeded by Hawksley Hill. May be best European shot at Breeders' Cup win.

4. Ladies Din -- Also owned by Las Vegans. Nightmare trip at Keeneland in last. Big strapping runner needs clear path when ready, but has killer kick at times.

5. Tuzla -- Baffert trainee better suited at this trip. She can string wins together and fits with this group. Mares have fared well in this heat.

1. Val's Prince -- This one is peaking just right. Won back-to-back Breeders' Cup prep stakes at Belmont Park and comes in this sharp. Gutty performer has tactical edge.

2. Yagli -- Strung impressive runs earlier this year and had horrific trip in last. Bill Mott trainee should be ready to roll here and Bailey will surely give it his best.

3. Daylami -- Wasn't supposed to be here, but last-minute change in plans have him competing at Gulfsteam instead of Japan. Has won on U.S. turf before and can be tough when right.

4. Buck's Boy -- Defending champion returned to races just in time to tighten up for repeat try. Beaten in last after comeback win, but trainer Hickey says he has his charge right on schedule for the big show.

5. Honor Glide -- Monster sophomore turf runner returned to that form recently. Did not care for soft going when beaten in last, so if the turf is giving then glide past the Honor.

1. Soaring Softly -- Turned into a monster when switched to turf. Won recent Flower Bowl at Belmont closing on slowish fractions. Needs only to take to Gulfstream green to be tough.

2. Spanish Fern -- Won Yellow Ribbon on Santa Anita turf with big run. In blanket finish at Del Mar before that. Frankel trainee is sharp right now and McCarron is one of the best money riders in the business.

3. Fiji -- Yet to win this year. Makes third start off layoff in here for main objective of season. Monster mare on the green last year, and still has room to improve here. Trainer Drysdale would not run her unless she was ready to fire.

4. Coretta -- Back in fine form. Trainer Clement knows how to get them ready. She can fight it out with the best of them when she is on her game.

5. Perfect Sting -- Impressive win in sophomore turf stakes win on Keeneland grass in last. She should enjoy the trip and has every right to fit with older mares here.

1. Artax -- Zipped to a new track record for the sprint distance when daylighting sprint stakes competition at Belmont in last. Flighty horse is always subject to misbehavior at the start of his races, but if he comes away from the gate running he will be a hard target to run down.

2. Forestry -- Baffert trainee found his niche sprinting. Long shelf time between this engagement and powerful King's Bishop victory at Saratoga. However, trainer shouldn't be second-guessed.

3. Lexicon -- This is one that must be invited to the party. Doesn't have enough earned points to make the gate, but after his decisive victory in the Ancient Title BC Sprint at Oak Tree he would be hard to deny.

4. Big Jag -- Hard-knocking California sprinter hasn't missed many dances since return to races. Running style suggests taking advantage of meltdown on front end. He can finish with a flourish.

5. Affirmed Success -- Highly touted Eastern-based runner has made impact when right. Will make his bid off the shelf, but some of this guy's best races come with freshening.

1. Dixie Union -- Re-affirmed top spot with bounce-back win in Norfolk Stakes at Oak Tree in last. Solid performer looks the part and has plenty of seasoning for the task.

2. Forest Camp -- Beat Dixie Union in Del Mar Futurity, then ran second in Norfolk Stakes. Highly regarded Baffert trainee is laying foundation for Derby run.

3. Greenwood Lake -- Huge come-from-behind score in recent Champagne at Belmont. Running style suggest he'll like the trip and trainer Zito is no stranger to getting a horse ready for the big event.

4. Chief Seattle -- Won the hot pace battle in the Champagne only to be run down by Greenwood Lake. Has shown promise in recent starts, but needs to be throttled if any chance to win this.

5. High Yield -- Won big at Saratoga and finished in the money in Champagne. Trainer Lukas is record-holder when it comes to Breeders' Cup stats. He'll be ready to run a big one, but will that be good enough?

1. Chilukki -- Unbeaten and undefeated filly started her career on Derby week at Churchill Downs with an impressive debut win and hasn't looked back since. Many may doubt her resolve at two-turns, but she hasn't disappointed yet.

2. Surfside -- Daughter of 1994 victress Flanders. Won Frizette at Belmont just like mom with gutty comeback victory in the mud. Has won on fast tracks as well and we know can will fight it out with top pick at crunch time.

3. Darling My Darling -- Was recipient of Surfside battle when runner up in last. This filly is peaking just at the right time, and if she doesn't bounce from last encounter, then she may give top pair all they can handle.

4. Finder's Fee -- Didn't care for the slop in dull Frizette effort. This one will benefit by any speed duels or meltdowns. Bred well and trainer McGaughey know how to win the big ones.

5. Spain -- Has chased Chilukki in last pair with no avail. However, she--like Finder's Fee--can trip out with a speed duel. She is a stretch runner and may be helped by longer two-turn outing.

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