Breeders' Cup: Who are Chad Brown's 3 best prospects?

Chad Brown might need luck at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 and 4, as he does not seem to hold any real monsters in his barn right now. Nevertheless, Brown conditions interesting prospects for the two-day event and could end up winning a Breeders' Cup race or two. 

Here are Brown's three best runners seen on the Breeders' Cup contender lists on the official website and a short description of what makes them realistic threats. 

Gina Romantica

Race: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Earlier in the summer, Gina Romantica felt a step below her stablemates In Italian and Whitebeam after finishing fourth in the Eatontown Stakes (G3) at Monmouth. But she took important steps forward in her last two starts.

In August, Gina Romantica gave a respectable runner-up effort in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1) at Colonial Downs by finishing second to Fev Rover. Gina Romantica almost made a race out of it with an inside move on the far turn, but Fev Rover closed the rail in the stretch and stopped the progression.

Last weekend, Gina Romantica ran down an uncontested In Italian in the First Lady Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in a career-best effort. Their stablemate Whitebeam ended up fourth after traffic problems.

Not long ago, In Italian was considered the best turf mare around. If Gina Romantica brings her First Lady form to Santa Anita, she can win.  

Whitebeam

Race: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

In July, Whitebeam ran down a loose In Italian in the Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga to pick up her first Grade 1 victory in this country. In Italian did not give up the lead without a fight in the stretch, as Whitebeam won by only a nose. Nevertheless, running down a quality speed horse who was loose through reasonable fractions is a hard task. 

Whitebeam also competed in the First Lady last weekend and could finish only fourth. Watch Whitebeam’s trip again though. The final race chart does not indicate any problems, but she remained boxed on the far turn and then lost momentum when In Italian closed the rail in the stretch.

If Whitebeam makes the trip to Santa Anita and brings her Saratoga form, then she can pick up a Breeders’ Cup win for Chad Brown.

Zandon

Race: Breeders’ Cup Classic

Zandon broke a long losing streak in the Woodward Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct against weaker horses. But in fairness to this closer, he has spent a lot of time running in one-mile races when he never fit in them.

Earlier in the year, Zandon ran second in the Westchester Stakes (G3) and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont. In both cases, the one-mile distance just went against his natural way of closing in the stretch run. The faster tempo of one-mile races meant Zandon needed to run faster late to win, but he did not own that required explosive move. 

Zandon closes better in longer route races. Even though White Abarrio gave an impressive performance to open up on the field and dominate in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, Zandon was still clear of the rest of the horses, including a tired Cody’s Wish in third. Perhaps White Abarrio just gave a freakish effort and Zandon's second was respectable.

About two weeks ago, Zandon ended the losing streak by taking the Woodward at Aqueduct by 4 1/4 lengths over Film Star in second and Law Professor in third. The most notable name in that race besides Zandon was Charge It, who ran fourth in another disappointing effort.

Zandon faces a tougher field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, including a hot 3-year-old named Arcangelo who looks set to give another career-best run. But if the pace heats up and the leaders start to fold, Zandon can take advantage of the situation as a closer who will find himself in the mix late.

With pace and a good trip, Zandon can win the Classic.