Classic Empire
Owned by John C. Oxley and trained by Mark Casse, Classic Empire currently tops the field of Triple Crown hopefuls. This Kentucky-bred colt has been impressive since making his debut at Churchill Downs around the time of the 2016 Kentucky Derby. With four wins in four starts, Classic Empire has managed to earn 30 points toward entry into the 2017 Derby with wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes. His current lifetime earnings are almost $1.5 million, but the biggest question is will he be able to overcome the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Jinx. In most years, the winner of the BC Juvenile has been less than impressive on the Triple Crown trail.
Practical Joke
With a third place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Classic Empire, Practical Joke could be peaking at just the right time to make a serious run at the Triple Crown. The horse is owned by Klaravich Stables, Inc. and William H. Lawrence. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this colt is his trainer, Chad C. Brown. This young horse trainer has been steadily moving up in the standings over the past few years and now seems poised to win his first Triple Crown event with this Kentucky-bred colt. With lifetime earnings of more than $500,000 from just two races, Practical Joke is no laughing matter and may make the other contenders shed tears in May.
Gunnevera
Gunnevera made headlines by capturing the Delta Downs Jackpot last November after a 5th place finish in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes in October. Gunnevera is owned by NBC Triple Crown broadcaster Tom Hammond who chose the name Peacock Stables in honor of his long relationship with NBC. The horse is trained by Antonio Sano and was bred in Kentucky. It will be interesting to see if Hammond handles the broadcasting duties for NBC this year should Gunnevera make it to the Triple Crown.
Lookin At Lee
Steve Asmussen makes his return to the Triple Crown trail with the Kentucky-bred Lookin At Lee. The colt has yet to win a race but did run a respectable 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Classic Empire and Practical Joke. The horse is owned by L and N Racing, LLC and has earned $275,000 from four races. It is difficult to imagine a non-winner even competing in the Kentucky Derby or other Triple Crown events, but the chances are good that Lookin At Lee will get his first win in one of the upcoming prep races. EZ Horse Betting recommends keeping an eye on this talented colt in his next race.
What the 2017 Triple Crown Field Revealed About Pre-Race Assessment
Looking back at a pre-race preview like this one after the season has concluded provides one of the most instructive exercises available to developing handicappers. The horses identified as ones to watch in the 2017 Triple Crown season included a mix of those who fulfilled their promise — Always Dreaming winning the Derby — and those who fell short of the expectations their prep form suggested. Analysing the gap between pre-season assessment and actual performance reveals both what the preview got right and, more instructively, what it missed.
The horses that underperformed pre-season expectations typically did so for reasons that were present but underweighted in the original assessment — fitness issues that subsequent events revealed, pace scenarios that did not develop as projected, or class demands that exceeded what their prep form had prepared them for. The horses that overperformed typically had specific advantages that the original assessment underweighted — the freshness of a targeted preparation, a jockey change that proved more impactful than anticipated, or a pace scenario that happened to suit them perfectly. For more on 2017 Triple Crown action, our articles on 2017 Kentucky Derby recap and 2017 Preakness Stakes recap cover the actual results. And our guide to the key to winning Triple Crown bets covers the systematic approach to these races.
Mastery
Trainer Bob Baffert is no stranger to the Triple Crown trail, and Mastery seems to be Baffert’s best chance for taking home a win in one of the events this year. The colt got his first win in the Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity and has earned 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. If Baffert remains true to his training agenda for Triple Crown horses, Mastery could well be headed for the Arkansas Derby later this year on his way to Kentucky. Keep an eye out to see if Baffert places him in this race and consider a bet!
As the months pass more Triple Crown contenders will emerge, and EZ Horse Betting is the site for staying abreast of the latest developments.
This is a great time to create an account with BetAmerica or any of our recommended online horse betting sites. You’ll receive some great bonuses for signing up and have access to all of the prep races leading up to the Triple Crown. Sign up today and win with EZ Horse Betting!
