Can Sierra Leone sign off in style? Last year's 1-2-3 headline quality Breeders' Cup Classic

The headline act is absent but the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is still regarded as one of the best runnings in recent years.

Much of the hype surrounded Godolphin star Sovereignty, who struck in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers in a glittering three-year-old campaign, but an untimely fever led to his withdrawal just three days out.

Do not be mistaken in thinking this race now lacks quality. Pacemaker Contrary Thinking is the only horse in the nine-runner field not to have been successful at the top level, and last year’s 1-2-3 are back for more.

Who are the big guns?

Coolmore’s Sierra Leone bids to sign off in style on his final start and record back-to-back wins in the $7 million (£5.34 million/€6.06 million) race – a feat only achieved by Tiznow in the first two runnings this century.

The Chad Brown-trained four-year-old recorded a Racing Post Rating just 2lb shy of his best in this race last year when landing the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in August, while his runner-up effort behind the reopposing three-year-old Antiquarian at the same track last time can be marked up given he was badly hampered early.

Last year’s runner-up Fierceness is similarly heading to stud after the Classic and finished almost six lengths behind Sierra Leone in the Whitney.

Todd Pletcher's stable star started this year by shattering a 13-year track record in a Grade 2 at Churchill in May and matched his best RPR when beating Journalism by three and a quarter lengths in the Pacific Classic at this track in August. His owners Repole Stables are also represented by Mindframe.

Forever Young seeks to become the first Japanese winner of the Classic, having finished third last year.

The Yoshito Yahagi-trained four-year-old beat Romantic Warrior by a neck in the Saudi Cup in February but ran below his best when only third as an odds-on favourite in the Dubai World Cup in April. He won his prep race last month in Japan, where he is unbeaten.

Could a three-year-old strike in Sovereignty’s absence?

Preakness and Haskell scorer Journalism heads the three-year-old contingent and is only 4lb shy of the top-rated Sierra Leone on adjusted RPRs.

The Michael McCarthy-trained colt has held his form particularly well, having also finished second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but has three and a quarter lengths to find with Fierceness from his last start.

Journalism: looks the pick of the three-year-olds in the ClassicCredit: Getty Images

Baeza secured a first Grade 1 in the Pennsylvania Derby last time but has finished behind Journalism in three races this year, while fellow last-start top-level winner Nevada Beach lacks experience but is the sole runner for Bob Baffert, the most successful trainer in the race’s history.

Key quotes

Todd Pletcher, trainer of Fierceness, Mindframe and Antiquarian
I don’t anticipate the inside draw being an issue for Fierceness and I’m delighted with his preparation. Mindframe comes into it slightly under the radar, probably because he has not run a true race since June, but he has enough tactical speed to put himself in a good position. Antiquarian arrives on the back of a career best and if he repeats that level he has a chance.

Forever Young: seeks to become the first Breeders' Cup Classic winner for JapanCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of Forever Young
This has been our target for a year. I’m expecting improvement fitness-wise from his prep race and I believe his condition is better than last year.

Chad Brown, trainer of Sierra Leone
He’s been so consistent throughout his career and I love where he’s at coming into his final race. It’s a deep field and there’s a lot of quality horses in there despite Sovereignty’s absence.

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