Trainer: Thunder Snow has 'great chance' in Breeders' Cup Classic

A year and a half later, Godolphin’s Thunder Snow will receive his Kentucky Derby do-over in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Now a Dubai World Cup winner, Thunder Snow has improved his resume since bucking from the Derby starting gate in 2017, but his view of the track will be similar to where he left off.

Thunder Snow broke from post No. 2 before his memorable performance under the twin spires, and he’ll depart one over from the rail on Saturday. His Classic morning line odds are 12-1.

“I hope the rest stay away from us Saturday,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor joked. He said it was hard to explain Thunder Snow’s Kentucky Derby performance since the horse wasn’t bothered by rainy weather during training. It’s been speculated the slinging mud during the race could have caused it.

The 4-year-old Helmet colt has been in the U.S. for more than a month, making his first stop at Belmont Park for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). There he lost by a neck to Discreet Lover, who took advantage of Diversify’s blistering fractions up front. Thunder Snow’s placing was a big improvement off his unlucky eighth-place run in the Juddmonte International (G1), his first race in almost five months after his freshening from the Dubai World Cup.

“He had one race there in England,” bin Surror said of the Juddmonte International. “He lost two shoes there in the race on the turf, but he came back well. Brought him back here to Belmont in the Jockey Club. He ran a really huge race, and now we’re looking forward to Saturday in the Classic to see a good result from him again.”

The well-traveled Thunder Snow shipped to Churchill Downs following the Jockey Club Gold Cup and has had three works at the Louisville track. He last worked seven furlongs Oct. 26 in 1:27. Arriving at Churchill Downs around 1:20 a.m. Oct. 27 was Roaring Lion, who will make his first dirt start in the Classic after four straight Group 1 wins. Mendelssohn, who will make his sixth U.S. start in the Classic arrived Monday evening. He won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar a year ago.

“It is tough, always. The Breeders’ Cup is very hard to win the Classic,” bin Suroor said. “All the good horses are coming from everywhere in the country and some horses are coming from England. But our horse is good enough. He won Group 1s. He won the Dubai World Cup. He won it really easy.”

From six races this year, Thunder Snow has two wins and three seconds. His only off-the-board finish came when he lost two shoes in his return race.

“He’s a very tough horse. That’s what I like about him. He’s always been sound, happy, healthy, tough and good in the morning when he works and also in the race,” the trainer added. “He’s always gives everything, and he has a big heart. The horse, I hope we keep him sound and healthy until Saturday, and if no rain I think the horse has a great chance.”