Four Grade I stakes winners were entered for the Classic, won last year by Horse of the Year Flightline – Geaux Rocket Ride, Tripoli, Defunded and Stilleto Boy.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/08/29/skinner-among-trio-of-3-year-olds-in-field-for-pacific-classic-at-del-mar/

This, at a time when the sport is trying to put away questions about its drug and animal-welfare practices, intensified during this Breeders’ Cup week by the fatal breakdown of Geaux Rocket Ride and sudden death of Practical Move in morning training.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/11/04/breeders-cup-horse-of-the-year-candidates-put-their-best-hooves-forward/