by Jeff Lowe

Colonel John has had little luck this year, but he may be better than ever heading into the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday at his home base, Santa Anita Park.

The Tiznow colt just missed as the favorite in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) on October 10, finishing second by a neck to longshot Gitano Hernando (GB), a tough loss but his best performance on the main track since his victory in the Travers Stakes (G1) in August 2008.

In between, Colonel John had a series of setbacks that kept him out of action for the first half of the year.
 
Colonel John’s first big target as a four-year-old was the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 7. He was installed as the morning-line favorite, even after missing his only prep because of a pulled muscle.

He ended up staying in the barn again with a temperature discovered the morning of the Big ‘Cap, and he eventually developed pneumonia that sidelined him until late July.

Trainer Eoin Harty decided to bring Colonel John back in the one-mile Wickerr Handicap on the grass on July 31 at Del Mar.

The comeback, spiced with a bit of an experiment, was a success as Colonel John registered a two-length triumph in a swift time of 1:32.77 that made him a stakes winner on turf, dirt, and synthetic surfaces.

Colonel John hit another bump in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on September 6 at Del Mar, finishing fifth after a troubled trip. He has had smooth sailing since the Goodwood, satisfying Harty with a five-furlong drill in :59.80 on Monday in his final workout for the Classic.

“I think he’ll run as well as he possibly can,” Harty said. “He’s in top shape and with a clear trip, if he gets beat, it’s only going to be because he got outrun.”

Colonel John also was pre-entered in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), but Harty said the colt will stick with the Classic division.

“Mike Pegram always said if you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly,” Harty said. “We’ll take our shot .”

For complete Thoroughbred Times coverage of the Breeders' Cup Classic, click here.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer