Breeders’ Cup 2016: Breakout Trainers

Trainer Art Sherman is poised to become the Breakout Trainer at 2016 Breeders’ Cup when he sends California Chrome into the Classic as the favorite. Last year, Mark Casse won the honor when he was victorious with Tepin and Catch a Glimpse, after having gone winless at the World Championships for 21 years in his first 23 attempts.

The 79-year-old Sherman has had only three previous Breeders’ Cup mounts. Siren Lure finished eighth in the 2006 Sprint, Ultra Blend got fourth in the 2011 Distaff, and California Chrome ran third in the rough and tumble 2014 Classic. Chrome makes Sherman the most likely trainer to get his first BC win at Santa Anita in the finale on Saturday, November 5.

John Sadler has Stellar Wind in the Distaff with hopes of earning his first Breeders’ Cup victory after trying for 22 years. His efforts have produced stats of 37: 0-3-6. Last year in the Distaff, Stellar Wind got Sadler to within a neck of that elusive win. Sadler may also be represented by Accelerate in the Dirt Mile.

New York based trainer Christophe Clement has gone 17 years without a Breeders’ Cup victory. Over those years he has compiled a record of 29: 0-5-3. Those runner-up performances came from Coretta, Forbidden Apple, Gio Ponti (twice), and Za Approval. Clement has won the most money, over $3.8 million, of all trainers without a win. He should have at least four in this year’s Breeders’ Cup with Lull and Noble Ready in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Yellow Agate in the Juvenile Fillies, and the Turf Sprint with Pure Sensation.

Kenny McPeek has tried 27 times since 1994 to win at the Breeders’ Cup and he has 14 finishes in the top three. McPeek is unlikely to clear out the zero in the win column with only Daddys Lil Darling going in the Juvenile Fillies.

Phil D’Amato, who took over the stable of trainer Mike Mitchell in April of 2014 after being his assistant for 10 years, may start as many as eight horses on his home track. Thus far, D’Amato is 4: 0-0-0 in two years of Breeders’ Cup competition.

Still, there are many other trainers of note who may have a 2016 entry and have a long shot possibility of picking up their first Breeders’ Cup win.

Tom Albertrani [11: 0-3-3] Twilight Eclipse (T)

Larry Jones [5: 0-2-0] I’m a Chatterbox (D)

Brian Lynch [2: 0-0-1] Power Alert (TS), Oscar Performance (JT)

Eddie Kenneally [6: 0-0-0] Bradester (DM)

Rick Violette [6: 0-0-1] Upstart (DM)

Gary Mandella [7: 0-1-1] Living The Life (FMS)

Michael Stidham [6: 0-0-1] Zipessa (FMT)

Ron Ellis [8: 0-1-1] Masochistic (S)

Peter Eurton [3: 0-0-1] Ashleyluvssugar (T)

Martin Jones [7: 0-1-2] Ambitious Brew (TS)

James Cassidy [8: 0-0-2] Holy Lute (TS)

Several American trainers have a chance to win at the World Championships as a rookie. Tom Morley has Haveyougoneaway, the winner of the three consecutive New York stakes including the Ballerina, in the Filly and Mare Sprint. There he will face Gustavo Delgado’s Paola Queen who was the victor in the Test. Jose Pinchin will see if the unbeaten Three Rules can step up in the Juvenile. In the Sprint three trainers will debut: Charlie Baker has Joking, Ron Falcone runs Mind Your Biscuits, and Michael De Paulo starts Noholdingback Bear.