Classic Division

RIP VAN WINKLE
Owner: Derrick Smith, et al
Trainer: Aidan P. O’Brien
Pedigree: B. c.,3, by Galileo – Looking Back, by Stravinsky

Positives: Rip Van Winkle is a genuinely top class European colt and enters the Breeders’ Cup Classic following back-to-back Group-1 victories in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He was previously a superb second to Horse of the World Sea the Stars (beaten one length) in the 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse Stakes-Group 1 at Sandown, finishing more than four lengths clear of 2008 BC Turf winner Conduit. The son of Galileo is a brilliant miler but showed at Sandown that can stay the classic American distance of a mile and one quarter, and is very much comparable in ability to last year’s BC Classic winner, the Euro-shipper Raven’s Pass. In 2008, the top Racing Post rating earned by Raven’s Pass was 131; Rip Van Winkle was assigned a 132 rating off his second place finish to Sea the Stars (and by further comparison, Raven’s Pass earned a 128 RPR when winning the 2008 Classic). Suffice to say that Rip Van Winkle, should he reproduce his form over the Pro Ride surface, is more than good enough to win the BC Classic.

Concerns: Rip Van Winkle will be making first start over a synthetic surface, and technically, has never won past a mile, although his highest rated effort came when runner-up to Sea the Stars in 10-furlong Coral Eclipse Stakes. He’s been beaten more than he’s won this year (two wins from five starts) but that’s being a tad picky, as his three losses were in races won by Sea the Stars.

Bottom Line: There is little to dislike about Rip Van Winkle’s chances in the BC Classic, other than the long journey he’ll be making to California. However, that trip certainly didn’t bother Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator, one-two finishers in last year’s BC Classic. Rip Van Winkle has never raced on a synthetic surface, but he most assuredly has been tested over all weather strips in training and his connections are confident that Santa Anita’s track will agree with the colt. In fact, his powerful, late running style should be complimented, rather than compromised by the Pro Ride, which tends to favor the closers. There’s a reason he’s the consensus BC Classic favorite among British bookmakers, Zenyatta notwithstanding.