BC Classic field after six furlongs based on pace figures

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Quality Road in front by a length

Haynesfield 2nd by 1

First Dude 3rd by 1.5

Morning Line 4th by 2.5

Etched 5th by 5

Musket Man 6th by 6.5

Paddy O' Prado 7th by 9

Lookin at Lucky 8th by 9.5

Blame 9th by 10

Fly Down 10th by 11.5

Pleasant Prince 11th by 15

Zenyatta 12th by 28

Espoir City and Gio Ponti: ?


Obviously Mike Smith isn't going to allow Zenyatta to be 28 lengths back with just four furlongs to go - and he won't spot 18.5 and 18 length cushions to horses like Lookin At Lucky and Blame - who both can finish well.

She's going to have to work considerably harder early on than she has at any point this year... how that impacts her ability to finish remains to be seen.

Fly Down is clearly the horse who benefits most from a fast pace. Pleasant Prince isn't very good, but with Rosario, he'll run better than expected if he gets a hot and contested pace like he and Ice Box both did in the Fla Derby.

Haynesfield and Zenyatta would be the two who clearly benefit most from a slow pace.