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BREEDERS' CUP LADIES' CLASSIC (G1), 10TH-CD, $2,000,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8M, 7:30 P.na APPEAL FAIRLIE SCOTT H BEJARANO R 124
5 ACTING HAPPY DUTROW RICHARD E LEZCANO JOSE 122
6 PERSISTENTLY MCGAUGHEY CLAUDE III GARCIA A 124
7 SEEKING THE TITLE STEWART DALLAS BOREL C H 122
8 UNRIVALED BELLE MOTT WILLIAM I DESORMEAUX K J 124
9 ACOMA CARROLL DAVID ALBARADO R J 124
10 BLIND LUCK HOLLENDORFER JERRY ROSARIO JOEL 122
11 HAVRE DE GRACE DUTROW ANTHONY W ROSE J 122

Multiple Grade 1 heroine BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision) has been installed as the morning line choice in the $2 million Ladies' Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday, and we like the sterling sophomore too much to side with anyone else in this field.na APPEAL (Milwaukee Brew) is Grade 1-placed on the dirt and gets a boost from the presence of pilot Rafael Bejarano, but is winless over her past 11 races and would be a most surprising scorer in this affair. A fast pace might see this one close to conclude a vertical gimmick at a hug price.

Ruffian H. (G1) winner MALIBU PRAYER (Malibu Moon) could be the inside speed of the race and is a Grade 2 winner in her lone Churchill encounter, but we've never been that high on the one-dimensional filly and we'll let her beat us. Grade 3 queen IT'S TEA TIME (Dynaformer) has yet to impress us enough to be backed in a field of this depth and quality. Iowa Oaks (G3) starlet SEEKING THE TITLE (Seeking the Gold) lacks the resume and BRIS Speed figures to challenge this group with a standard effort.

1st-BLIND LUCK
2nd-HAVRE DE GRACE
3rd-LIFE AT TEN

BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF (G1), 9TH-CD, $2,000,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 3/8MT, 6:50 P.M. EDT, 11-5

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PLUMANIA (GB) FABRE ANDRE PESLIER O 124
2 ECLAIR DE LUNE (GER) MCANALLY RONALD ALVARADO JUNIOR 124
3 MISS KELLER (IRE) ATTFIELD ROGER CASTELLANO J J 124
4 KEERTANA PROCTOR THOMAS F LEZCANO JOSE 124
5 SHARED ACCOUNT MOTION H GRAHAM PRADO E S 124
6 HARMONIOUS SHIRREFFS JOHN ROSARIO JOEL 121
7 MIDDAY (GB) CECIL H R A QUEALLY THOMAS 124
8 HOT CHA CHA SIMS PHILIP A GRAHAM J 124
9 HIBAAYEB (GB) SUROOR SAEED BIN DETTORI LANFRAN 121
10 RED DESIRE (JPN) MATSUNAGA MIKIO DESORMEAUX K J 124
11 FOREVER TOGETHER SHEPPARD JONATHAN E NAPRAVNIK ANNA 124

A sensational cast of 11 fillies and mares will line up in Friday's $2 million Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs, and we think the international contingent will dominate the results in here. Defending champ MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) is arguably better this year and has to be considered the one to beat for legendary trainer Henry Cecil. The stylish four-year-old has ripped off three Group 1 wins in succession entering this, and each of those tallies were taken by a comfortable margin. The bay has superb positional speed and a potent kick, and her athleticism should keep her out of trouble during this affair. We had considered it, but we can't go against this superstar under Tom Queally.

Japanese stalwart RED DESIRE (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe) put in a smart prep for this when a close third in the Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) at Belmont Park for conditioner Mikio Matsunaga. The accomplished Grade 1-winning lass was thought of highly enough to contest the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in the spring and should be a fresh horse with only a quartet of 2010 starts. A repeat of her third in the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) last fall gives her a big chance with these.

French import PLUMANIA (GB) (Anabaa) showed little in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) most recently but should surely not be dismissed for one subpar effort for trainer Andre Fabre. The Group 1 heroine has had an excellent second half of 2010 and appears to have enough tactical speed not to be left with too much to do in the latter stages of this race, so we consider her a big threat with a peak performance. The bay has never been better and gets the rail.

Impressive Beverly D. S. (G1) queen ECLAIR DE LUNE (Ger) (Marchand de Sable) showed enough promise in France last season to bring a hefty sum at auction prior to coming to the states this year, and the bay rewarded her connections with a fine win last out at Arlington Park. Conditioned by Ron McAnally, the four-year-old is unraced since that effort but has trained steadily since September in readying for this. We like the filly in general but can't make a winning case for her against this cast.

We love the hard-trying HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge), who never seems to run a bad race, and we must use this filly in our gimmicks at a fair price in here. The Phil Sims pupil has a ton of experience with Churchill Downs, is capable over any type of ground and had a nice prep for this, so we see no reason to omit her in this case. The Grade 1 winner deserves some respect in this one as a gimmicks threat.

Champion FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me) could be making her final career start in here and while we'd love to see the genuine mare go out on a winning note, we are having trouble making a case for her due to her winless streak. The 2008 champ is clearly better on firm turf, but the fact that she hasn't won since August of 2009 isn't helping the cause. We will definitely include the late runner in our wagers, though, because her best is still very good. The widest post won't do her any favors, either. Rising sophomore HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) crushed her fellow three-year-old foes with a resounding win in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) for John Shirreffs last out. The filly has now eclipsed two Grade 1 races in her last three tries, with a close second sandwiched in between, and should have no trouble navigating the distance. We will still have a hard time using the dark bay on top due to the fact that she is not proven against the likes of these. We may regret this, but we'll pass on the potential superstar.

SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect) came close when second in the Diana S. (G1) two back but threw in a dud when fifth in the Flower Bowl over yielding going last out for Graham Motion. We like this miss but not against these potential monsters, so we'll limit her inclusion to the lower rungs of the gimmicks. HIBAAYEB (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) did what she was supposed to in winning the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) against questionable foes last out, and now steps up in class to face a world-class group in here for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. A Group 1 vixen at two, the smart sophomore has trained quite well leading up to this, but we were not overly impressed with her from a visual standpoint last out and think the competition might be too much for her at this stage of her development.

Canadian S. (Can-G2) heroine MISS KELLER (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) has made believers out of us this season and exits a strong second in the E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) most recently for trainer Roger Attfield. The bay filly has finished in the top three in all seven starts in 2010 and has never been better, but we question if she has much left after such a big race in her latest endeavor. We may be outthinking ourselves here, but we feel that the four-year-old could be flat on this occasion. Glens Falls S. (G3) romper KEERTANA (Johar) looks to be in deep.

1st-MIDDAY (GB)
2nd-RED DESIRE (Jpn)
3rd-PLUMANIA (GB)

BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES (G1), 8TH-CD, $2,000,000, 2YO, F, 1 1/16M, 6:10 P.M. EDT, 11-5

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 INDIAN GRACEY HOLLENDORFER JERRY BEJARANO R 122
2 THEYSKENS' THEORY MEEHAN BRIAN DETTORI LANFRAN 122
3 R HEAT LIGHTNING PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 122
4 AWESOME FEATHER GOLD STANLEY I SANCHEZ JEFFREY 122
5 HARLAN'S RUBY MCPEEK KENNETH G LEPAROUX JULIEN 122
6 JOYFUL VICTORY DUTROW ANTHONY W DOMINGUEZ R A 122
7 IZSHELEGAL KNIGHT TERRY SMITH M E 122
8 A Z WARRIOR BAFFERT BOB GARCIA MARTIN 122
9 DELIGHTFUL MARY CASSE MARK BRIDGMOHAN S X 122
10 BELIEVE IN A. P. DUTROW RICHARD E GOMEZ G K 122
11 SOUNDWAVE WERNER RONNY ALBARADO R J 122
12 TELL A KELLY SADLER JOHN W BOREL C H 122
13 JORDY Y CATALANO WAYNE M ROSARIO JOEL 122

A well-matched field of 13 two-year-old fillies will go 1 1/16 miles over the Churchill main strip in Friday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and we're going to side with longshot DELIGHTFUL MARY (Limehouse) in here. Trained by Mark Casse, the juvenile lass began her career with a pair of impressive wins over the Polytrack at Woodbine and was last seen finishing a clear second at a short price in the Mazarine S. (Can-G3) in preparation of this event. The $500,000 two-year-old purchase drilled a bullet five-eighths on the Churchill main oval to signal that she can handle the dirt course and the distance should be to her liking in here. Shaun Bridgmohan inherits the ride aboard our top pick.

Spinaway S. (G1) queen R HEAT LIGHTNING (Trippi) has been first or second in all four lifetime tries for trainer Todd Pletcher, and we loved the prep the Florida-bred put in when a closing second in the Frizette S. (G1) last out. The filly has yet to try two turns, but the way in which she has finished her races suggests that this distance is well within her scope. John Velazquez will break from the three slot atop the prime win contender.

We're quite intrigued by Group 3-winning European import THEYSKENS' THEORY (Bernardini) in this affair. The juvenile miss has flashed a good deal of ability in her brief career for crafty conditioner Brian Meehan, which included a fine third in the Fillies' Mile (Eng-G1) at Ascot most recently. The sharp bay is bred to handle the dirt and attracted top jock Frankie Dettori, so we'll use this one in all our of exotics.

Unbeaten Florida shipper AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of Course) has yet to be tested in five career tries and surely deserves note in this demanding race, her toughest by far to date. The Stanley Gold pupil has shown the ability to rally from just off the pace or lead all the way home in each of her five runs, and got the job done in a big way when running at the distance last out. We would not omit the Florida-bred.

The talented JOYFUL VICTORY (Tapit) was a non-threatening third in the Frizette last out but looks to have a world of potential for conditioner Tony Dutrow. The February-foaled gray is bred to run long and has some tactical foot, and while we like her tons more as a long-term prospect, we would not discount her chances at a top-three placing against this field. SOUNDWAVE (Friends Lake) has dusted a pair of fields in succession for trainer Ronny Werner and looks like the most likely early leader in this race. The speedy Kentucky-bred has never been beyond six furlongs and appears to be bred much more for sprinting, but we will not quickly omit this one due to her razor-sharp form.

Darley Debutante S. (G1) victress TELL A KELLY (Tapit) was most impressive from a visual standpoint in her signature win at Del Mar two back and had a nice prep for this when second in the Oak Leaf S. (G1) last out for trainer John Sadler. The filly is clearly a talented horse who might get a decent pace at which to run at, but the lack of her prior dirt experience makes backing her a difficult assignment. Calvin Borel will ride the chestnut, who wouldn't shock us by beating this field. Frizette victress A Z WARRIOR (Bernardini) made good in her dirt debut for trainer Bob Baffert and will be in the mix with a repeat of her latest performance. The dark bay comes from a family of fast horses, mostly sprinters, and while this one has good breeding on top and got one mile at Belmont last out, we are still skeptical about her chances going two turns here.

JORDY Y (Congrats) drew widest of all and will make her dirt bow in this one for conditioner Wayne Catalano, who has had past success in this affair. This Florida-bred earned her way here with a second in the Arlington-Washington Lassie S. (G3) and good third in the recent Alcibiades S. (G1). The smart filly just looks like a synthetic horse to us, and we envision her struggling on the dirt from that awful post position. Alcibiades runner-up HARLAN'S RUBY (Harlan's Holiday) didn't show much in her lone dirt start and lacks the early speed to say within close range early, so we'll look elsewhere. Maiden heroine BELIEVE IN A. P. (A.P. Indy) must show us more before we side with her in a race of this quality. IZSHELEGAL (Maria's Mon) is still a maiden and likely will be one after this race.

Owner-trainer Jerry Hollendorfer announced Thursday that Oak Leaf third INDIAN GRACEY (Indian Ocean) will be scratched from the race.

1st-DELIGHTFUL MARY
2nd-R HEAT LIGHTNING
3rd-THEYSKENS' THEORY

BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT (G1), 7TH-CD, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 7F, 5:30 P.na D WAYNE SMITH M E 122
16 FIRST PASSAGE WOLFSON MARTIN D GOMEZ G K 124

A full field of fillies and mares will speed seven furlongs in one of Friday's most competitive races in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and we're taking a shot with Grade 1 queen JESSICA IS BACK (Put It Back) in this one for Marty Wolfson. A fine heroine of the Princess Rooney H. (G1) two back, the Florida-bred mare ran a big one when third in the Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga last out, considering the extreme track bias she had to overcome in there. We feel that this distance is perfect for the chestnut, and the presence of jockey Javier Castellano seems like a good thing, too. Expect the mare to track close to the early pace before putting in her best run.

Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G2) victress DUBAI MAJESTY (Essence of Dubai) dominated the Winning Colors S. (G3) over this oval in the spring and boasts a trio of local wins from six tries. Conditioned by Bret Calhoun, the consistent five-year-old has a versatile running style and must be considered a top-three candidate with her best under Jamie Theriot.

Grade 2 heroine SARA LOUISE (Malibu Moon) has put in just a single start in 2010, finishing a closing third in the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) at Belmont Park. The bay filly is full of talent and has been first or second in both local tries, and we like the presence of Frankie Dettori. We will give the four-year-old a chance at a placing and might have tabbed her on top if she had a few more recent runs under her belt.

Defending champ INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) is a Grade 1 winner over this oval and is as classy as anything in the group for conditioner Jonathan Sheppard. The gray mare is clearly better on synthetic ovals than she is on dirt and her form is not what it was a year ago, and while we don't love her in this one, we definitely can't discount her chances. The five-year-old, who will be guided by Julien Leparoux, sports a fine 11-7-0-3 mark at this distance. EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) has put forth a superb year for trainer James Cassidy, running huge on dirt, synthetic and turf while amassing four graded wins. The talented sophomore miss was a huge second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her lone effort upon this oval but will be racing at seven panels on this day, the first time she's run less than one mile from her past nine races. We think if the early leaders go fast and tire late, this California-bred will be rolling into win contention.

Ballerina vixen RIGHTLY SO (Read the Footnotes) shows a superb 11-7-3-1 career mark for trainer Tony Dutrow and has earned 103, 101, 103 and 106 BRIS Speed figures in her last four. The Empire State-bred has proven over her last three that she can handle open company and she stayed sharp in the mornings in preparation of this affair. We consider the dark bay a must use, but we're not real fond of her post draw and think she was very fortunate to catch a "golden" rail in her last race. Cornelio Velasquez retains the mount. Dual Grade 1 lass CHAMPAGNE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) had a nice tightener at Keeneland last out and should be ready to roll for trainer Eric Guillot. We could not have been more impressed with this one after watching her dismantle her foes in the Test S. (G1) this summer, and if she puts forth an effort like that, we imagine that she could challenge for the win, even from the widest post.

MY JEN (Fusaichi Pegasus) broke through last out with a much deserved graded win for conditioner Eddie Kenneally, getting up in the final stages to eclipse the Gallant Bloom. The gray sophomore is in career form and has a good running style for this type of race, but we're not sure that drawing the rail in this one will do her any favors. Multiple Grade 2 scorer SECRET GYPSY (Sea of Secrets) is on a three-race win streak and has fared well over this oval for trainer Ronny Werner. The speedy five-year-old has learned to relax more this summer and it's paid dividends, but we think she's in a tough spot in this particular affair. Robby Albarado will ride the mare, who smoked a half-mile in advance of this.

California import SWEET AUGUST MOON (Malibu Moon) picked up a pair of graded wins this year for trainer Brian Koriner while racing on all-weather ovals with one turf affair thrown in for good measure. The accomplished dark bay has never competed on dirt and is a complete mystery in here at 30-1 on the morning line. She smoked a bullet three-eighths to stay sharp for her biggest date yet. SWITCH (Quiet American) ran the mighty Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) to a half-length in the Lady's Secret (G1) most recently for trainer John Sadler, but the sophomore must adapt quickly in order to put forward a fine performance in here. Unplaced in her lone dirt start, the talented bay must also cut back in trip while facing the fastest field she's yet to encounter. We like the miss, but believe she has too many obstacles standing in her way.

GABBY'S GOLDEN GAL (Medaglia d'Oro) has not raced since taking the Santa Monica H. (G1) in January, and while we rarely doubt the genius of Bob Baffert in big races, we still can't back the filly against this solid cast. MOONTUNE MISSY (Forest Wildcat) was a head second in the Gallant Bloom in her most recent endeavor, but the filly has picked a difficult spot in which to earn her first graded trophy for Eoin Harty. Synthetic specialist RINTERVAL (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) has yet to be on dirt and we question her class, so we'll toss her.

Also-eligibles TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman) and FIRST PASSAGE (Giant's Causeway) both look to be outclassed even if they were to draw into the field.

1st-JESSICA IS BACK
2nd-DUBAI MAJESTY
3rd-SARA LOUISE

BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF (G2), 6TH-CD, $1,000,000, 2YO, F, 1MT, 4:50 P.M. EDT, 11-5

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DOS LUNAS GLENNEY JOHN COURT J K 122
2 TALE UNTOLD HANNON R MOORE RYAN L 122
3 QUIET OASIS (IRE) MEEHAN BRIAN DETTORI LANFRAN 122
4 KATHMANBLU MCPEEK KENNETH G LEPAROUX JULIEN 122
5 FOREST LEGEND OLIVER VICTORIA DOMINGUEZ R A 122
6 ARCH SUPPORT CONTESSA GARY C PRADO E S 122
7 WINTER MEMORIES TONER JAMES J LEZCANO JOSE 122
8 WYOMIA VELLA DANIEL J BEJARANO R 122
9 FANCY POINT PHIPPS WILLIAM DESORMEAUX K J 122
10 NEW NORMAL FROSTAD MARK CASTELLANO J J 122
11 MORE THAN REAL PLETCHER TODD A GOMEZ G K 122
12 FLOOD PLAIN (GB) GOSDEN JOHN H M BUICK WILLIAM T 122
13 TOGETHER (IRE) O'BRIEN AIDAN P MURTAGH JOHN P 122
14 ALLURE D'AMOUR PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 122
15 NINA FEVER WARD WESLEY A ALBARADO R J 122

A full field of two-year-old turf distaffers will go a mile in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs on Friday. MORE THAN REAL (More than Ready) was one of the more impressive youngsters to win at Saratoga this summer in our minds and rates a big chance in this one for Todd Pletcher. The chestnut filly, last seen finishing a solid second in the Natalma S. (Can-G3), has useful positional speed and a strong late kick, and we don't think we've seen the best of her just yet. We'll side with this filly to cook up a first Breeders' Cup win for owner Bobby Flay.

Miss Grillo S. (G3) romper WINTER MEMORIES (El Prado [Ire]) has done nothing wrong in her brief career and has looked the part of a champion for crafty turf trainer James Toner. Produced from a dual Grade 1-winning millionaire mare, the high-quality gray ranks first in BRIS Prime Power and is adept over turf that is firm or one that has some give to it. The possibility of a short price is the lone reason why this one was not our top choice.

Group 3 heroine TOGETHER (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) has faced some of the best Europe has to offer and has never been disgraced for Aidan O'Brien. The expensive yearling purchase has few flaws and can't be tossed in this one, but her post is terrible (13) and we're concerned that she could leave herself too much to do in the stretch.

QUIET OASIS (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) is a bit of an unknown to us, but we highly respect this barn and consider her a contender on that alone. The Brian Meehan pupil has won or been close in each of her three starts, is bred to handle longer and should handle the added ground with ease. Natalma victress NEW NORMAL (Forestry) led at every call in her graded win and comes in off two consecutive wire jobs for conditioner Mark Frostad. The smart homebred has improved her BRIS Speed figures in each of her starts and smoked a bullet five-eighths recently in preparing for her biggest affair to date, so she's a must-use.

KATHMANBLU (Bluegrass Cat) was a most impressive winner of the recent Jessamine S. at Keeneland for trainer Ken McPeek and the filly must be considered a win candidate if she can repeat that performance. The bay finished unplaced in her debut on the main oval but has shifted her game to a new level on the green, winning two of three starts with a fine second at Saratoga sandwiched in between. The Kentucky-bred earned a healthy 105 BRIS Late Pace number last out and has trained well since, so we must use her in some exotics.

Impressive maiden heroine ALLURE D'AMOUR (Giant's Causeway) couldn't have looked much better than she did in her recent win at Belmont Park, dusting what could turn out to be a very good field over yielding turf for Pletcher. The well-bred chestnut has good tactical speed and proved last out that she can pack a punch late, so we'll consider her an exotics player with improvement. The lightly-raced FLOOD PLAIN (GB) (Orpen) hails from impeccable connections and has flashed ability in both career tries for trainer John Gosden. The talented bay has yet to face a graded field or run beyond seven furlongs, but the thinking is that this outfit knows what they are doing and we'd be foolish to second guess them. We are discouraged, somewhat, that the filly was not backed heavily at the windows in either start.

P.G. Johnson S. star FANCY POINT (Point Given) was outrun by Winter Memories in the Miss Grillo last out, but has improving BRIS Speed numbers and should not be totally overlooked in this spot. The Kentucky-bred chestnut has very good early foot, and if the filly secures an easy, uncontested early lead, she could be dangerous. Maiden winner TALE UNTOLD (Tale of the Cat) has been close in her last pair against sizable fields at Newmarket, but we'd be surprised to see her jump up with a top showing here. Mazarine S. (Can-G3) queen WYOMIA (Vindication) is yet another solid threat in this fine field, but this filly is unproven on the turf, having won both of her races on synthetic, so we'll take a stand against.

DOS LUNAS (Hennessy) and FOREST LEGEND (Forest Camp) look overmatched on this day. Miss Grillo runner-up ARCH SUPPORT (Arch) has ability but isn't very high on our list in this affair. The speedy NINA FEVER (Borrego) has won four in succession, both all have come in sprint races and a pair of them versus claimers, so we'll pass on the also-eligible runner.

1st-MORE THAN REAL
2nd-WINTER MEMORIES
3rd-TOGETHER (Ire

BREEDERS' CUP MARATHON (G3), 5TH-CD, $500,000, 3YO/UP, 1 3/4M, 4:10 P.M. EDT, 11-5

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 ATONED HOWARD NEIL J ALBARADO R J 126
2 PRINCE WILL I AM NIHEI MICHELLE CASTELLANO J J 122
3 MILLION SELLER MOTION H GRAHAM ROSE J 123
4 ELDAAFER ALVARADO DIANE VELAZQUEZ J R 126
5 ROMP (ARG) MULHALL KRISTIN GARCIA MARTIN 126
6 GABRIEL'S HILL BENZEL SETH LEPAROUX JULIEN 126
7 AWESOME GEM DOLLASE CRAIG FLORES D R 126
8 GIANT OAK BLOCK CHRIS GOMEZ G K 126
9 BRIGHT HORIZON (GB) O'BRIEN AIDAN P MURTAGH JOHN P 122
10 ALCOMO (BRZ) CARAMORI EDUARDO BEJARANO R 126
11 PRECISION BREAK COLE P F I SPENCER J P 126
12 A. U. MINER HANNA CLARK BOREL C H 126

A dozen will test the demanding distance of 1 3/4 miles over the Churchill Downs main oval in Friday's $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon (G3), and we'll side with recent Jamaica H. (G1) upsetter PRINCE WILL I AM (Victory Gallop) on this day. Conditioned by Michelle Nihei, the improving chestnut ridgling broke his maiden over this oval and has never been better, and we think he's well spotted against these foes. The late runner will have much work to do in the stretch and probably can't afford to attempt to go last-to-first against this group, but we have confidence that pilot Javier Castellano will have him within range late to mow down this field.

Brooklyn H. (G2) victor ALCOMO (Brz) (Rainbow Corner [GB]) has been prepping for this race since just missing in the Greenwood Cup in his latest venture, and we think the Eduardo Caramori charge is a serious player in this test. The seven-year-old bay showed little in Dubai this spring but has returned a much better horse, and his best puts him right there in the end.

Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) hero AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) is an old warrior who should never be dismissed, and the Craig Dollase trainee looks strong against these. We have always felt that the Kentucky-bred is better on dirt, and he had a useful prep in advance of this, so we'll include the hard-trying gelding in our exotics.

Turfway Park Fall Championship S. (G3) star ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy) enters off back-to-back wins for conditioner Diane Alvarado and should handle the extended trip. The dark bay was a useful third in the 12-furlong Brooklyn earlier in the year and is in very good current form, so a well-timed ride should find him challenging for a top-three finish with his best. GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) was a sharp second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) last out and will surely take a lot of play in this event for trainer Chris Block. The long-striding four-year-old seems to be a perfect fit for this type of race, and he's been pretty sharp as of late. The colt often settles for minor awards, though, so we can't back him to win on this occasion.

A. U. MINER (Mineshaft) bagged the Greenwood Cup at the former Philadelphia Park two back and enters this off a good prep, a closing third in the Hawthorne Gold Cup, most recently for conditioner Clark Hanna. The improving five-year-old seems to have found his niche running extended distances and is another who has a chance in this wide-open event. Brooklyn runner-up GABRIEL'S HILL (A.P. Indy) has good early speed and appears to be sitting on a big one for trainer Seth Benzel, so we'll include the well-bred bay in our plays. We thought the Kentucky-bred had a nice prep for this when fourth in a strong, one-turn allowance race, and he could be the one to catch turning for home.

ATONED (Repent) is winless since May of 2009, and while the dark bay has often flashed considerable ability, it's hard to back him here in his fourth effort for trainer Neil Howard. European import BRIGHT HORIZON (GB) (Galileo [Ire]) is a mystery in here due to his unfamiliarity with dirt, and while this outfit took this race last campaign, we're going to let the sophomore beat us in this one.

PRECISION BREAK (Silver Deputy) has compiled a respectable 21-9-1-1 career mark, but the bay has just two wins in the past 14 months, and will be trying dirt for the first time, so we'll look elsewhere. MILLION SELLER (A.P. Indy) will be facing males in a stakes for the initial time and lacks the credentials of many of her foes, so we'll take a pass. California shipper ROMP (Arg) (Incurable Optimist) appears to have his work cut out for him.

1st-PRINCE WILL I AM
2nd-ALCOMO (Brz)
3rd-AWESOME GEM