Pennsylvania Derby Results Spark Breeders' Cup Discussion

Starting with the winner, Bayern once again proved to be a dangerous horse when making the lead and even more dangerous when making an uncontested lead.  The Pennsylvania Derby was basically a replay of his Haskell win as the three year-old son of Offlee Wild cleared early and set comfortable fractions before widening in the stretch.  Both of those victories, however, came at a mile and an eighth, and despite the strong finishes, Bayern does not exactly give the impression that he wants the mile and a quarter distance of the Breeders' Cup Classic where he would also likely encounter much more contentious fractions. 

Bayern probably a better fit in Dirt Mile 

Trainer Bob Baffert also figures to have other options in the BC Classic with veteran Game On Dude a likely participant.  That leaves the BC Dirt Mile as a viable option for Bayern.  If he goes in that race, he will likely be opposed by last year’s winner Goldencents, who is in razor-sharp form after winning the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar in record-setting time. 

California Chrome could be up against it  

California Chrome is likely to be a forgotten horse after finishing sixth in the Pennsylvania Derby – a race that was ill-advised after more than three months on the shelf following an exhausting Triple Crown campaign.  The KY Derby and Preakness hero will fly back to California and regroup for the BC Classic, but most serious handicappers will dismiss the star based on his dubious preparation for the toughest race of the season.