Fort Larned returns to defend Breeders’ Cup title

Fort Larned is back to defend his title in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race he led all the way in winning as a 9-1 long shot last year. He is one of 172 horses, including nine defending champions, pre-entered Wednesday for the $27 million, 14-race Breeders’ Cup world championships at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., on Nov. 1-2. Thirteen horses were pre-entered for the 11/4-mile Classic, Nov. 2 on NBC. Trainers Bob Baffert, Bill Mott and Todd Pletcher have two each. Baffert has Game On Dude and Paynter; Mott has Flat Out and Ron the Greek; and Pletcher has Graydar and Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice. Besides Fort Larned, the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in last year’s Classic will take another shot. Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan was pre-entered in the $2 million Mile. Royal Delta will defend her title in the $2 million Distaff. – AP