The Grade 2, $350,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park marks the sophomore debut for Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old male Classic Empire, who won four of five races last year including the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His biggest threat appears to be in the form of Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes winner Gunnevera, the only other two-turn stakes winner.

However, Marylander Stakes winner Irish War Cry is two-for-two, bred to appreciate the added distance and improving. Similarly, Fact Finding won the Smooth Air Stakes over the track by seven lengths when last seen and may be another threat in the event Classic Empire is not 100 percent ready to go off a three month layoff.

Classic Empire finished off his 2-year-old campaign in November as he began it in May, with a win. Except for when he lost his rider at the start in the Hopeful Stakes in September, Classic Empire was four-for-four last year. More importantly, he is two-for-two since blinkers were added, both wins coming in two-turn races. Improving to a career-best 116 Equibase Speed Figure winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile following a 105 figure in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity¸ Classic Empire doesn't need the lead for his best.

In the Holy Bull, I anticipate Classic Empire will take up a stalking position under jockey Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for all four of his wins to date, before challenging for the win near the wire. Although it's possible Classic Empire may not be 100 percent fit to win around two turns off a three month layoff, and although it's also possible one of the other main contenders will run the race of his life to win, I think Classic Empire will pick up in 2017 where he left off in 2016: with a win.

Irish War Cry may be the biggest threat to the favorite as he won in his debut from ninth of 12 in the early stages, then won leading from start to finish in his next start, showing excellent versatility with those opposite running styles. Both efforts, including the latter win in the Marylander Stakes, earned strong 102 speed figures, so there is also room to move forward significantly in terms of how fast he can run. As a son of Curlin, Irish War Cry should get better as the distances increase. As such, if the odds are right and even though I think Classic Empire will win, I won't hesitate to bet Irish War Cry to win in this year's Holy Bull Stakes.

Gunnevera put himself on the map as far as 2-year-olds to watch with a nice win in the one-turn Saratoga Special Stakes last August. In his next start, he finished a non-threatening sixth behind Classic Empire in the Breeders' Futurity but redeemed himself with a 5 ¾ length victory in the Delta Downs Jackpot to end his 2-year-old campaign. The 105 figure earned in the Jackpot equaled the figure Classic Empire earned in the Futurity and, except for the favorite's effort in the Juvenile, is tied for the best of any horse in the field. Jockey Javier Castellano was aboard Gunnevera just two times last year, for those two stakes wins, and takes the call for the Holy Bull from the ground saving rail. As such, particularly if the early pace is hot and benefits the late running style of Gunnevera, expect him to be passing many if not all of these in the stretch.

The rest of the field, with their best representative Equibase Speed Figures, is Cavil (101), Fact Finding (103), Fire for Effect (87), Perro Rojo (78), Shamsaan (80) and Talk Logistics (100).

My selections:

Classic Empire

Irish War Cry

Gunnevera