SANTA ANITA — By Matthew Lomon

We’re back with another edition of Breeders’ Cup competitors and their pro athlete comparisons.

This time around we’re taking a look at the established stars running on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

To get you ready for Saturday’s showdown, we’ve zeroed in on five names to keep an eye on during horse racing’s version of the FIFA World Cup.

Race: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Horse: Fev Rover (IRE)

Athlete: Venus and Serena Williams, Retired Pro Tennis Players

Mental fortitude separates the good athletes from the elite, which is why Fev Rover (IRE) and tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams are and were exactly that – elite.

Ahead of the BC Filly & Mare Turf, Fev Rover’s trainer Mark Casse compared his 5-year-old star to the Williams sisters. The dual hall of famer praised the duo’s mental and physical strength as something he sees in Fev Rover, who’s overpowered opponents to the tune of a 4-1-2 line in eight starts since the 2022 campaign.

That unbreakable mindset drove Venus and Serena to a combined 30 grand slam singles titles. Obviously, Fev Rover has a ways to go before reaching that status, but with a competitive drive resembling that of tennis’ all-time greats, watch out.

Race: Breeders’ Cup Mile

Horse: Master of the Seas (IRE)

Athlete: Kevin Gausman, MLB Pitcher

At home or on the road, well-travelled studs Master of the Seas (IRE) and Toronto Blue Jays ace starting pitcher Kevin Gausman always give themselves or their team the chance to win.

In 15 career starts, the Irish-bred colt has hit the podium 12 times, going 7-3-2 with six graded wins. Of those seven wins, four have come at different courses across the UK, UAE, and Canada. Some bettors might be worried about a horse testing out a new track after travelling nearly halfway around the world. Not with Master of the Seas.

Blue Jays fans know the feeling of reassurance that comes when big number 34 takes the mound every fifth day. Whether he has his stuff working or not, Gausman always finds a way to battle and keep his team in the game, even on the odd days without his signature splitter.

Just sit back, relax, and let these workhorses do their thing.

Race: Breeders’ Cup Turf

Horse: King of Steel

Athlete: Josh Allen, NFL Quarterback

World-class displays with a smidge of head-scratching results make King of Steel and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen a perfect pairing.

At the top of his game, Kentucky-bred colt King of Steel is practically unbeatable. In seven career runs, the 3-year-old has already captured Group 1 (Qipco Champion) and Group 2 (King Edward VII) stakes victories. Knowing that makes the seventh and fourth place finishes stamped on his resume a little perplexing.

Speaking of perplexing, that could be Allen’s middle name. For the most part, he’s an MVP-calibre quarterback that any team would be lucky to have. Then, in seemingly the most inopportune times, he’s a turnover machine that doesn’t know when to check it down or throw it away.

Despite their occasional quirks, both performers can beat anybody on any day.

Race: Breeders’ Cup Classic

Horse: Arabian Knight

Athlete: Nikola Jokić, NBA Center

2023 has been a year Arabian Knight and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić won’t soon forget.

The former is coming off the most impressive win of his young career in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. The career-defining victory pushed the colt’s earning total for 2023 over $1.2 million, getting there in just three starts. With all that in mind, it’s no surprise Arabian Knight opens as the 3-1 favorite for the $6 million Classic.

His Serbian counterpart and avid horse racing enthusiast, Nikola Jokić, also enjoyed a legacy win 2023. The two-time NBA MVP cemented his status as the league’s top dog with his first Larry O’Brien and Finals MVP trophies. In doing so, the versatile big man became the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (186).

Dishing out big-time performances on the world stage is par for the course for these superstars.

Race: Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Horse: Hoist the Gold

Athlete: Mark Stone, NHL Right Wing

There’s hoisting, there’s gold, there’s seemingly nothing 4-year-old Hoist the Gold and Las Vegas Golden Knights’ captain Mark Stone don’t have in common.

Like Stone, the colt is a seen-it-all veteran that’s flown under the radar amongst his contemporaries. Since 2021, Hoist the Gold has made 24 starts, finding a spot on the podium in just over half (4-6-3). The Dallas Stewart trainee rides into the BC Sprint coming off an encouraging victory in the Phoenix Stakes (G2) on Oct. 6.

Donning Vegas’ trademark gold sweater, Stone hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in his 12-year career after putting the series to bed with a Game 5 hat trick. A steady contributor throughout his career, the Winnipeg, MB native was finally rewarded for rising up the ranks as a sixth-round pick in 2010.

Stick-to-itiveness is an odd word, but one these two understand quite well.

For our “Young Guns” Breeders’ Cup horses to athlete comparison article click here