Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla became fast friends when they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1970. Bob introduced Tom to Thoroughbred racing soon after that.

 They have had their rough moments at the track, with Tom taking exception when Bob repeatedly smacks him on the back with a program as one of their horses launches an all-out stretch drive. Much to Tom’s chagrin and the amusement of onlookers, Bob has been known to call for security as they cashed a $27 triple. They have owned a number of slow horses together and can often be seen carrying on at the track as if they never left their teenage years.

 Their take on the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic:

PEDULLA: Bob, as we both know, Japan has been making huge gains on the international stage. Everything says it is time for a Japan-based runner to win the Classic, with a Kentucky Derby very likely not far behind. Forever Young missed by a couple of noses in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and many would argue he deserved better. That race proved that the arduous ship is no problem for him. He has made only one start since the Derby, but he was razor sharp in that. With your having become a grandfather for the first time, there is no better time to think Forever Young.

EHALT: Thomas, I usually back the Japanese horses, but this time, I cannot resist the morning-line price on Sierra Leone. I just hope it stays at 12-1 or that neighborhood. He’s taken a lot of money in major races and rewarded the show and trifecta bettors, not the win players. I have a feeling this the time he finally comes of age for trainer Chad Brown and wins the Classic at a nice price.

PEDULLA: Aidan O’Brien calls City of Troy the best horse he ever trained. I am taking him at his word. This powerful son of Justify figures to be forwardly placed, so that will limit kickback, normally a huge issue for European runners shifting from turf to dirt. Granted, the change in surface looms as a major question. I think he will be right there.

EHALT: Fierceness showed he’s not just a good-race, bad-race horse by winning the Travers. I think he’ll turn in a very good effort here for Todd Pletcher and “The Commish,” but I think the pace will catch up with him late and leave him vulnerable for a late charge, which I hope comes from Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone (Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire)

PEDULLA: I was rewarded for taking a stand against Fierceness in the Kentucky Derby and I am doing so again. There is every reason to anticipate a hot pace and it may be time for him to throw in another clunker as he tries to win three straight for the first time in his career. Ultra-consistent Sierra Leone has never failed to crack the top three in eight lifetime starts. He may not win, but he always shows up. With an emphasis on “show.”

EHALT: If City of Troy wins, I will not be surprised. You don’t gain acclaim as the world’s best horse for winning claiming races. But I can’t take the low win odds on a horse running on dirt for the first time. Yet on class alone, he should be able to hit the board.

PEDULLA: Bob, you know I am not much for longshots. Chalk tends to be the death of me. I have a gut feeling about Pyrenees that will not go away. He shows every sign of being a late bloomer and, like Sierra Leone, will benefit from the anticipated hot pace. Bombs away with him.

EHALT: Hopefully, your money doesn’t go away after that pick, Thomas. I cannot leave out the Japanese runners, so I’ll go with Forever Young for fourth. He almost won the Kentucky Derby and with the expected maturation as an older 3-year-old, I’m sure he will be right there at the finish. Good luck to us all.