BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC (G1), 11TH-CD, $5,000,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/4M, 6:45 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 QUALITY ROAD PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 126
2 PADDY O'PRADO ROMANS DALE DESORMEAUX K J 122
3 HAYNESFIELD ASMUSSEN STEVEN M DOMINGUEZ R A 126
4 FIRST DUDE ROMANS DALE ALBARADO R J 122
5 BLAME STALL ALBERT M JR GOMEZ G K 126
6 FLY DOWN ZITO NICHOLAS P LEPAROUX JULIEN 122
7 MUSKET MAN RYAN DEREK S MARAGH RAJIV 126
8 ZENYATTA SHIRREFFS JOHN SMITH M E 123
9 PLEASANT PRINCE WARD WESLEY A ROSARIO JOEL 122
10 ETCHED MCLAUGHLIN KIARAN P GARCIA A 126
11 ESPOIR CITY (JPN) ADACHI AKIO SATO TETSUZO 126
12 LOOKIN AT LUCKY BAFFERT BOB GARCIA MARTIN 122

Unbeaten superstar ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) will hope to win her 20th straight race when heading to the gate in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday. The John Shirreffs dynamo is one for the ages and will clearly be the one to beat in here, but this will easily be her toughest test to date on a surface she is not familiar with. We will stubbornly try to beat her.

Since no horse in America, or Europe for that matter, has been able to dethrone the 'queen' as of yet, we'll try an Asian import to get the job done. ESPOIR CITY (Jpn) (Gold Allure) was a useful commodity on the grass for the first portion of his career but had a huge turnaround when switching to the dirt for trainer Akio Adachi. The top-class five-year-old is 10-for-13 on the natural oval and is clearly the top Japanese dirt performer at this posting. He's been pointed to this race for some time and has been handled wisely in order to keep him fresh in hopes of becoming the first Japanese shipper to win this lucrative event. Tetsuzo Sato rides the chestnut, who has posted a pair of useful works over this oval in preparation.

Zenyatta would be of no surprise and will cement her place in history as one of the best ever if she defeats this superb field. The late-running star is the defending champ in this race, and while she'll be facing more adversity than she has in the past, it's more than possible it doesn't matter who, what, where or how she runs against or on, she's still going to win. Zenyatta is the star of this year's Breeders' Cup and will be closing strongly late beneath Mike Smith.

FLY DOWN (Mineshaft), in our estimation, is the top sophomore at today's distance and would not surprise us with a huge run in here for trainer Nick Zito. The chestnut colt has been handled expertly by Zito leading up to this, and we fully expect huge improvement from his last as he was likely not fully cranked to face the top two older males in the United States in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) most recently. A maiden winner over this oval last fall, the Kentucky-bred would appreciate a fast early pace to set up his late run beneath Julien Leparoux.

BLAME (Arch) has never been worse than third in his 12-race career and owns two graded stakes wins on this oval for conditioner Albert Stall Jr. The bay colt can handle this distance as well as any in the field, does his best running in the end and is well drawn in the five post with jockey Garrett Gomez. It's hard to fault the impressive four-year-old, who must be used in everything.

LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) suffered a terrible trip while making his only start at Churchill in the Kentucky Derby (G1) earlier this year, but the Bob Baffert charge has done nothing wrong in three starts since that May 1 contest. The bay sophomore pulled off a spectacular win in the Preakness S. (G1) before dominating the Haskell Invitational (G1) by four lengths. He earned a very nice 107 BRIS Speed figure for that latter race, and proved his ability in less than fast conditions with a score in the Indiana Derby (G2) last out over a sloppy, sealed, dirt track. Lookin at Lucky has established himself as the top three-year-old of the year and could cement his status as an exciting prospect for next year, but we think he may not be quite up to handling these in his first try against older rivals. A top three finish is definitely not out of the question, though.

MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) is as honest as they come and has run creditably against some of the top horses in training since last spring. The Derek Ryan pupil had a superb prep when second in the Monmouth Cup (G2) last out and likes this oval, evidenced by his third-place finish in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, so we must use this colt in many of our exotics wagers and possibly make a saver win bet on him at what we expect to be overlaid odds.

We had planned on tabbing the ultra-talented QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) to win this prior to the post draw, but we now think the colt is extremely vulnerable breaking from rail and will play against him on most tickets. We acknowledge the ability of this burly bay and consider him to have the raw talent as good or better than any in here, but he could get taken completely out of his game with any error from the inside. John Velazquez will ride, and he may have to fire out of the gate in order to stay clear.

HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown) was ignored in the Jockey Club Gold Cup last out and ran his foes off their respective hooves for trainer Steve Asmussen. The over-achieving New York-bred has won three of four this year and has silenced many of his critics about his perceived inability to handle a route of ground. The chestnut could be the early leader in here, and we think he'll get hounded early and often and will let him beat us.

FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even) is a hard-trying sophomore who never quits, but he has been outrun late by many in his three-year-old class and could be in deep on this stage. ETCHED (Forestry) has good early speed and enters this off of a pair of wins for Godolphin, taking five of his last six, but the loss he encountered over this oval stands out too much for us to forgive. The chestnut is also questionable of getting this distance against a quality field like this.

PADDY O'PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) is among the top grass horses in the United States and finished well when third in the Kentucky Derby here, but we don't like that his connections opted to run him in this race and we will not use. PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King) might shatter the toteboard if he wins this.

1st-ESPOIR CITY (Jpn)
2nd-ZENYATTA
3rd-FLY DOWN

BREEDERS' CUP TURF (G1), 10TH-CD, $3,000,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/2MT, 6:00 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 CHAMP PEGASUS MANDELLA RICHARD E ROSARIO JOEL 126
2 WINCHESTER CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE VELASQUEZ CORNE 126
3 TELLING HOBBY STEVE CASTELLANO J J 126
4 DEBUSSY (IRE) GOSDEN JOHN H M BUICK WILLIAM T 126
5 AL KHALI MOTT WILLIAM I LEPAROUX JULIEN 126
6 WORKFORCE (GB) *STOUTE M R MOORE RYAN L 122
7 BEHKABAD (FR) *ROUGET J C LEMAIRE C 122
8 DANGEROUS MIDGE MEEHAN BRIAN DETTORI LANFRAN 126

WORKFORCE (GB) (King's Best), a brilliant winner of the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) and gut-wrenching victor of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), is either one of the locks of Breeders' Cup weekend or one of the vulnerable favorites. We'll know for sure at the end of Saturday's 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), worth $3 million, but in advance of the race we'll choose to take a stand against him.

From a class perspective, the second best horse on paper might be BEHKABAD (Ire) (Cape Cross [Ire]), who finished four lengths behind Workforce in the Arc. That was hardly a poor effort from a colt who had previously won the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) and Prix Niel (Fr-G2), and if Workforce should regress a little bit this one would only have to run back to his recent best to pull off a minor upset. He can give the Aga Khan another victory in this race, joining the likes of Lashkari (GB) and Kalanisi (Ire).

The lightly-raced Workforce appears to be Europe's best horse in training at the moment, and can not be taken lightly at all following the aforementioned victories. Those wins book-ended a weak performance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1), an effort trainer Sir Michael Stoute takes the blame for as he claims to have over-trained the colt. That has not reportedly been the case leading up to the Turf, but we do wonder how much the Arc took out of him as it was his first outing in more than two months.

The best of the American contingent looks like WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]), who could follow in his father's hoofsteps with a victory here. He's landed top-level scores this season in the Manhattan H. (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1), the former over stablemate and dual champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), and is in arguably career-best form for trainer Christophe Clement.

DANGEROUS MIDGE (Lion Heart), a Group 3/handicap type in England, and Arlington Million (G1) winner DEBUSSY (Ire) (Diesis [GB]) probably don't have the class to keep up with either of the top selections. The former enters with progressive formlines having recently taken the Arc Trial S. (Eng-G3) for trainer Brian Meehan, who won the last edition of this race contested at Churchill with Red Rocks (Ire). The rider on Red Rocks? Frankie Dettori, who takes the reigns on this one. Can lightning strike twice?

Debussy, who followed up his Arlington Million upset with a third in the Champion S. (Eng-G1), is trained by the ever-dangerous John Gosden, and might rate a bit more highly here if he takes to this course as well as did Arlington. He's one to consider for a small share under William Buick.

AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro), who defeated Winchester by a neck in the Bowling Green H. (G1) two back, looks unlikely for the upset after a close fourth against softer in the Canadian International (Can-G1). He earned a career-best 107 BRIS Speed rating in that loss, so there's the possibility of regression.

Two-time Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) winner TELLING (A.P. Indy) and recent Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (G1) winner CHAMP PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) look too slow on paper.

1st-BEHKABAD (Fr)
2nd-WORKFORCE (GB)
3rd-WINCHESTER

BREEDERS' CUP DIRT MILE (G1), 9TH-CD, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 5:20 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DAKOTA PHONE HOLLENDORFER JERRY ROSARIO JOEL 126
2 TIZWAY BOND HAROLD JAMES MARAGH RAJIV 126
3 AIKENITE PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 123
4 MAD FLATTER THORNBURY JEFF COURT J K 126
5 HERE COMES BEN LOPRESTI CHARLES SOLIS A 126
6 GAYEGO *SUROOR SAEED BIN DETTORI LANFRAN 126
7 THISKYHASNOLIMIT ASMUSSEN STEVEN M THERIOT H J II 123
8 CROWN OF THORNS MANDELLA RICHARD E BEJARANO R 126
9 HURRICANE IKE SADLER JOHN W BOREL C H 123
10 MORNING LINE ZITO NICHOLAS P CASTELLANO J J 123
11 MINE THAT BIRD LUKAS D WAYNE SMITH M E 126
12 VINEYARD HAVEN *SUROOR SAEED BIN GARCIA A 126
13 COOL COAL MAN ZITO NICHOLAS P LEPAROUX JULIEN 126

Saturday's $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) looks ripe for the taking by a horse quite familiar with the track underneath the Twin Spires. That would be HERE COMES BEN (Street Cry [Ire]), who not so long ago was trolling in allowance races but who has come to hand very quickly for Charlie Lopresti, one of the hottest conditioners in Kentucky this fall.

A course-and-distance maiden winner in 2009, Here Comes Ben came on with a vengeance this spring with back-to-back scores here at seven furlongs, then solidified his class credentials with a 9-1 upset of the Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga. Jockey Alex Solis, whose belated first Breeders' Cup score occurred here in the 2000 Sprint (G1) on Kona Gold, has guided the four-year-old to his last three victories and appears poised to have another big triumph on this stage.

TIZWAY (Tiznow) first gained noticed when an upset third behind Summer Bird and Quality Road (Elusive Quality) in last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Overlooking his subsequent foray to Japan, the James Bond pupil looks rock solid off three strong efforts at a mile and under this season. Following a third-level allowance win, he was a decent third to Quality Road in the Metropolitan H. (G1), then was out four months before returning in the October 3 Kelso H. (G2). Though facing a modest group, he blew the doors off that one-mile feature, winning by five lengths. If able to handle this track, he looks like a strong contender.

VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), third to Here Comes Ben in the Forego, might have bounced slightly that day off a strong performance in the James Marvin S. in his race prior. Often better when dictating the pace, the triple Grade 1 winner might be forced to go early as he drew post 12, and it will be imperative for him to save as much ground as possible. He definitely figures on class and speed, though others seem to be entering in slightly sharper form.

A stablemate to Vineyard Haven, GAYEGO (Gilded Time) enters off a track-record performance in the Presque Isle Mile on Tapeta over Successful Dan (Successful Appeal), who has since won the Fayette S. (G2). While most of his recent races have been on synthetic, Gayego did win the Arkansas Derby (G2) on dirt back in 2008, and contested that season's Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) as well. He's another who looks tough in an evenly matched field.

HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall), a course-and-distance winner of the Derby Trial S. (G3) in April, might fare better than expected as he returns to familiar surroundings. A minor check-getter in the King's Bishop S. (G1) and Super Derby (G2) subsequently, the sophomore has posted some very sharp works here since mid-October. MORNING LINE (Tiznow), a late-bloomer among three-year-olds, may show some early flash here. A last-out winner of the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) in his stakes debut, he has not raced around one turn since debuting at Aqueduct a year ago today. We'll side, however, with those more expert at this specialist distance. Another horse with three local wins is THISKYHASNOLIMIT (Sky Mesa), whose scores include the Iroquois S. (G3) and Matt Winn S. He enters off a solid second in the Indiana Derby (G2) behind Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike), and could be a sleeper here.

The remainder of the field we find highly suspect. MAD FLATTER (Flatter) looks like a prime candidate to bounce off a victory in a weak renewal of the Spend a Buck H. (G3) at Calder. We'll see how he handles real speed in this race. DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata), a solid Grade 2 type in California, has given no indication he likes dirt as much as synthetic or grass. COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft), a distant second in the Kelso last time, has behaved more like a listed stakes quality animal for the past couple of years. MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, has been wallowing in mediocrity for more than a year and is hard to like unless you think the return to the site of his greatest triumph will provide a perk. AIKENITE (Yes It's True) has been well beaten by stakes rivals in his past few tries and looks up against it here.

1st-HERE COMES BEN
2nd-TIZWAY
3rd-VINEYARD HAVEN

BREEDERS' CUP MILE (G1), 8TH-CD, $2,000,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT, 4:40 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BEETHOVEN (IRE) O'BRIEN AIDAN P MURTAGH JOHN P 123
2 SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN ATTFIELD ROGER LEPAROUX JULIEN 126
3 GIO PONTI CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE DOMINGUEZ R A 126
4 COURT VISION DUTROW RICHARD E ALBARADO R J 126
5 DELEGATOR (GB) *SUROOR SAEED BIN DETTORI LANFRAN 126
6 PACO BOY (IRE) *HANNON R MOORE RYAN L 126
7 THE USUAL Q. T. CASSIDY JAMES ESPINOZA V 126
8 GET STORMY BUSH THOMAS M CASTELLANO J J 126
9 SIDNEY'S CANDY SADLER JOHN W ROSARIO JOEL 123
10 GOLDIKOVA (IRE) HEAD FREDDIE PESLIER O 123
11 PROVISO (GB) MOTT WILLIAM I SMITH M E 123

GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) will go for her third straight victory in the Mile (G1) on Saturday, and we can't go against the European superstar. An 11-time Group/Grade 1 heroine, the Freddie Head-trained dynamo will arguably enter this event in career-best form, registering an excellent score in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) undercard. The ground that day was probably softer than she prefers, but nobody could stop the terrific mare. She received post 10 here but overcame an even wider draw when winning last year at Santa Anita, and the expected firm ground will be right up her alley. She should be in contention turning for home and when regular jockey Olivier Peslier calls upon the five-year-old, we expect her to find another gear that carries her to an unprecedented third straight victory in a Breeders' Cup event.

PROVISO (GB) (Dansili [GB]) will bring a four-race, Grade 1-winning streak into this event and can complete a female exacta with the legendary Goldikova. The Bill Mott-trained mare doesn't win by flashy margins, but she owns a stout late turn of foot and knows where the finish line is. We love her consistency and class, and we expect her to show up with another first-rate performance. She'll be rolling in the stretch under Mike Smith.

COURT VISION (Gulch) will enter this event fresh for Rick Dutrow and is capable of improving upon his fourth-place effort in last year's Mile. He tuned up for this race with an excellent score in the September 19 Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) and has hit the board in both previous stakes attempts over the course. We can't envision him putting a scare into Goldikova, but we'll put him in the bottom of our top three.

GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) impressed us with his one-length score in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) last out and the dual champion obviously merits serious top three consideration. He's a three-time winner at the distance, but we do have to question whether eight furlongs is his optimal distance. And Gio Ponti hasn't shown up with his best performance in every start since his trip to Dubai earlier this year. We still have serious respect for his ability and wouldn't be surprised to see him come running late for runner-up honors.

PACO BOY (Ire) (Desert Style) is an accomplished five-year-old from the Richard Hannon stable in England, but we find it interesting that neither his trainer nor jockey felt this race was important enough to make the trip over. We would've liked to have seen them a little more bullish about the Group 1 winner's chances and perhaps they know something that his backers don't. He did just miss by a half-length to Goldikova in the Prix de la Foret and a repeat of that performance puts him in the mix for a top three placing, but we still have our doubts.

THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) captured the Eddie Read (G1) three back and exits a second in the Woodbine Mile. The four-year-old gelding will still be facing a serious class check in this spot, and we wonder if he wouldn't prefer a little more ground. DELEGATOR (GB) (Dansili [GB]) has the class to challenge for a minor award, but he's battled a quarter-crack problem and may not be sharp enough to deliver the career-best performance he needs to be a factor. SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) will take them as far as he can on the front end, but recent reports about his training have been negative and he missed a scheduled prep in the Oak Tree Mile (G2). We'll let him surprise us with a top three finish.

SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN (Not Impossible [Ire]) exits a commendable second to Gio Ponti in the Shadwell Turf Mile, but the seven-year-old probably needs an easier spot to be effective. GET STORMY (Stormy Atlantic) faltered when stepping up for the Shadwell Turf Mile last time and probably needs an easier spot to be effective. BEETHOVEN (Ire) (Oratorio [Ire]) isn't one of the top horses in the Aidan O'Brien stable and doesn't have the recent form for us to recommend his chances.

1st-GOLDIKOVA (Ire)
2nd-PROVISO (GB)
3rd-COURT VISION

BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE (G1), 7TH-CD, $2,000,000, 2YO, C/G, 1 1/16M, 3:55 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BIONDETTI AL ZAROONI MAHMOOD AJTEBI AHMED 122
2 BOYS AT TOSCONOVA DUTROW RICHARD E DOMINGUEZ R A 122
3 J. B.'S THUNDER STALL ALBERT M JR BRIDGMOHAN S X 122
4 J P'S GUSTO HOFMANS DAVID VALENZUELA P A 122
5 RIVETING REASON CHO MYUNG KWON ESPINOZA V 122
6 STAY THIRSTY PLETCHER TODD A CASTELLANO J J 122
7 UNCLE MO PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 122
8 MURJAN MILLER DARRIN BEJARANO R 122
9 ROGUE ROMANCE MCPEEK KENNETH G LEPAROUX JULIEN 122
10 JAYCITO MITCHELL MIKE SMITH M E 122

Ten juveniles will contest the $2 million Juvenile (G1) and UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie) figures to be a solid favorite based upon his 14 1/4-length maiden score and his electric 4 3/4-length victory in the Champagne S. (G1) that tied Seattle Slew for the second-fastest time ever (1:34 2/5). We have a ton of respect for the Todd Pletcher runner, but we're concerned about all the pace in the race for the speedy colt, who has never been headed and will be stretching out to two turns for the first time. We'll go another direction with JAYCITO (Victory Gallop).

Trained by Mike Mitchell, Jaycito went straight from a runner-up debut performance versus maiden special weight rivals to Del Mar Futurity (G1) and didn't appear to have any chance at the back of the pack approaching the conclusion of the far turn. But the bay colt unleashed a tremendous rally in the stretch to finish second, netting a 103 BRIS Late Pace rating while passing nearly all his rivals in the straightaway, and carried that form forward in the Norfolk S. (G1), winning by a length in his two-turn bow. What was impressive about the latter was that he was four wide into the first turn and continued to lose ground the rest of the way while racing probably a little closer to the front than preferred because the pace was so slow. He still garnered commendable BRIS numbers for that effort and will receive a much better set-up on Saturday. While most of the field figures to be up close during the early stages, he'll be biding his time in the back under Mike Smith waiting to unleash his strong late turn of hoof. We'll look for him to come charging for the win.

Uncle Mo may be able to overcome any circumstances and certainly looks like a very special colt. But he's never been headed at any point of call in his two starts and must deal with a lot of speed to his inside from post 7, with several of those speedy rivals looking more like short-distance specialists instead of 1 1/16-mile horses. That leads us to question how far he'll be shuffled back if jockey John Velazquez doesn't allow his mount to gun early, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him get frustrated by not having everything his own way on the front end. He still has the potential to develop into a top Kentucky Derby (G1) candidate, and we'll use the talented bay in second.

STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini) intrigues us. He's only raced twice since finishing second in his July 15 debut, easily winning a Saratoga maiden special weight before recording a good second in the September 6 Hopeful S. (G1), and while we would've liked to have seen a more recent prep, we still feel the Pletcher trainee has tons of ability. He'll be forwardly placed from post 6 and figures to appreciate the added ground, and we'll tab him to hold for a minor award.

ROGUE ROMANCE (Smarty Jones) is one to consider for the exotics at long odds. The Kenny McPeek-trained colt has raced exclusively on grass, but he's been super impressive in his last two outings, winning the October 10 Bourbon S. (G3) with a stunning rally, and is bred to relish the main track. In a race loaded with speed, the improving chestnut has a chance to make a late impact beneath Julien Leparoux.

BIONDETTI (Bernardini) is an interesting European invader trying the dirt for the first time. Unbeaten in three career starts, including the October 9 Gran Criterium (Ity-G1) in Milan, the bay colt will have no trouble getting the distance and will be piloted by Ahmed Ajtebi, who guided 2009 Gran Criterium winner Vale of York (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) to an upset win in last year's Juvenile. Biondetti will be able to save ground from his rail post and figures to offer a late rally if he handles the transition to dirt. Consider him for at least part from off the pace.

Hopeful winner BOYS AT TOSCONOVA (Officer) is very talented and has experience over the track, finishing second in the April 30 Kentucky Juvenile S. (G3) in his career debut. The dark bay has recorded a pair of impressive victories since then and figures to draw plenty of mutuel support, but we have questions about his ability at a two-turn distance. We can't say for sure that 8 1/2 furlongs will be beyond his scope and could be proven wrong by the talented colt, but we'll have to let him beat us at expected low odds.

J B'S THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) has led wire to wire in both starts, including a four-length tally in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) last out, but he's never raced on dirt and could have trouble sustaining his speed in this deep field. J P'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal) looks like a very promising runner at shorter distances, but we can't endorse the speedball's chances on the stretch out.

RIVETING REASON (Fusaichi Pegasus) likes to get involved early, but the maiden appears overmatched at this level. Peruvian import MURJAN (Officer) would be a huge surprise in his U.S. bow.

1st-JAYCITO
2nd-UNCLE MO
3rd-STAY THIRSTY

BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT (G2), 6TH-CD, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, 5FT, 3:15 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE CALHOUN WILLIAM BRET THERIOT H J II 126
2 CENTRAL CITY WERNER RONNY ALBARADO R J 126
3 STRADIVINSKY DUTROW RICHARD E VELAZQUEZ J R 126
4 UNZIP ME JONES MARTIN F BEJARANO R 123
5 SILVER TIMBER BROWN CHAD C LEPAROUX JULIEN 126
6 WAVELINE CECIL B D A DETTORI LANFRAN 123
7 BRIDGETOWN MCPEEK KENNETH G TRUJILLO E 124
8 QUICK ENOUGH O'NEILL DOUG VALENZUELA P A 126
9 ROSE CATHERINE PLETCHER TODD A CASTELLANO J J 121
10 DUE DATE MARGOLIS STEPHEN R GOMEZ G K 126
11 GRAND ADVENTURE FROSTAD MARK HUSBANDS P 126
12 CALIFORNIA FLAG KORINER BRIAN ESPINOZA V 126
13 TROPIC STORM DOLLASE CRAIG FLORES D R 126
14 CANADIAN BALLET RICE LINDA DESORMEAUX K J 123
15 YIELD BOGEY KELLY PATRICK J SAMYN J L 126

A full field of 14 will square off in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G2) and we went looking for a specialist at the five-furlong distance with good speed. BRIDGETOWN (Speightstown) fits the bill in our estimation and is our top choice.

Bridgetown nearly stole the one-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) last year at Santa Anita, leading until the latter stages, and has raced strictly at shorter distances this year. The chestnut opened his sophomore campaign with a sharp one-length score in the August 5 Latham S. at Saratoga, rallying from just off the pace in the early stages, and displayed his terrific quickness when leading wire-to-wire in the September 6 Gilded Time S. at Monmouth Park, registering a 107 BRIS Speed rating for the 2 1/2-length decision. He contested the pace in the six-furlong Nearctic S. (Can-G1) last time until weakening in the stretch to sixth, but we won't count that effort against him over an expansive turf course at Woodbine. The Kenny McPeek trainee will return to a much tighter course at Churchill Downs Saturday and should sit close beneath Elvis Trujillo before striking.

We nearly went with the filly ROSE CATHERINE (Speightstown) on top but will settle for using her in the second spot. The Todd Pletcher-conditioned miss hasn't been facing the stiffest company, but she's looked superb reeling off the three consecutive stakes tallies in advance of this and turned in an excellent four-furlong drill over the local turf course in preparation. The talented lass is very quick and has a chance to post a front-running victory.

SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber) looms as the horse to beat, but the classy gelding will be looking to pass a lot of horses from off the pace and his trip is an issue for us. We question whether he'll have the luxury of closing extremely wide against the bunch and he risks getting stopped in traffic if jockey Julien Leparoux decides not to go wide. The seven-year-old gray dropped two straight as the odds-on favorite before rebounding with a strong win in the Woodford S. (G3) last out and we have some concern whether he can can continue to move forward off that performance. But he's obviously a top contender with his best and can't be dismissed from win consideration.

DUE DATE (El Prado [Ire]) is a late runner that we will include in the exotics at long odds. The five-year-old returned from a lengthy freshening with three strong performances for Steve Margolis and even though he has serious class concerns in this spot, we like the way he's trained for this event and feel he could continue to move forward with a solid showing.

CENTRAL CITY (City Place) figures to be winging it from the start and ran a good race when finishing a close third in the Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (G3) earlier this year. The Woodford runner-up is a threat to hold for part with a career-best performance. GRAND ADVENTURE (Grand Slam) merits respect off his runner-up in the Nearctic, but we feel he's probably better at six furlongs. We can't dismiss his chances completely though for Mark Frostad.

Jaipur S. (G3) winner STRADIVINSKY (Stravinsky) won over the course last spring and will be flying early, but we can't envision him sustaining his speed in this spot. UNZIP ME (City Zip) is a classy California filly with six wins in seven attempts this year, but she may be better at six or 6 1/2 furlongs. Former claimer QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite) is going good for Doug O'Neill, but he beat questionable company in the Morvich H. (G3) last time and we can't recommend his chances in this difficult spot.

WAVELINE (Stravinsky) will pick up the services of Frankie Dettori and is two-for-three at five or 5 1/2-furlong distances, but the stalker is facing a stiff class check and doesn't own formidable BRIS Speed or Late Pace numbers. TROPIC STORM (Stormy Atlantic) is very quick, but we don't like his post (13) and don't feel he's good enough to make a significant impact.

CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant) has been battling a foot problem and drew a tough post on the rail. We'll let him beat us. Defending champion CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags) was in much better form last year and relished the downhill, about 6 1/2-furlong course at Santa Anita. He'll be a big surprise this year. CANADIAN BALLET (City Zip) appears overmatched. YIELD BOGEY (Langfuhr) will be a longshot should he draw in from the also-eligible list.

1st-BRIDGETOWN
2nd-ROSE CATHERINE
3rd-SILVER TIMBER

BREEDERS' CUP SPRINT (G1), 5TH-CD, $2,000,000, 3YO/UP, 6F, 2:30 P.M. EDT, 11-6

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BIG DRAMA FAWKES DAVID COA E M 126
2 GIROLAMO *SUROOR SAEED BIN GARCIA A 126
3 WISE DAN LOPRESTI CHARLES BEJARANO R 124
4 HAMAZING DESTINY LUKAS D WAYNE ROSARIO JOEL 126
5 SMILING TIGER BONDE JEFF BAZE R A 124
6 PASHITO THE CHE LAKE SCOTT A CASTELLANO J J 126
7 KINSALE KING O'CALLAHAN CARL GARCIA MARTIN 126
8 CASH REFUND MARGOLIS STEPHEN R VELAZQUEZ J R 126
9 SUPREME SUMMIT PUYPE MIKE GOMEZ G K 126
10 RILEY TUCKER ASMUSSEN STEVEN M DOMINGUEZ R A 126
11 ATTA BOY ROY LUND VALORIE BOREL C H 126
12 WARRIOR'S REWARD WILKES IAN R LEPAROUX JULIEN 126

A well-matched field of 12 is set for the $2 million Sprint (G1) and a couple of top contenders are stuck down on the inside in BIG DRAMA (Montbrook) and GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy). Both merit serious consideration for the win, but we'll take a stab against them with KINSALE KING (Yankee Victor).

Winner of the Palos Verdes H. (G2) and Vernon Underwood S. (G3) last winter, the five-year-old gelding was shipped to Dubai for the lucrative Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) in late March and responded with an excellent score, defeating the very well-regarded Rocket Man (Viscount) by a half-length. Trainer Carl O'Callaghan sent his charge to Golden Gate Fields for a work over their Tapeta to get him familiar with the footing beforehand, and he sent him to England early to prepare him for a couple of major events during the Royal Ascot meet. He finished a good third in the Golden Jubilee (Eng-G1), finishing only two lengths back of Starspangledbanner (Choisir), who at the time was the top sprinter outside of America, but didn't carry that form forward in the July Cup (Eng-G1) 20 days later.

Callaghan began preparing Kinsale King for the Sprint upon his return to America, and the bay has trained superbly in California since late July. He's never raced on dirt, but we found it very interesting that Callaghan sent him to Fresno in mid-October for an excellent five-furlong drill (:59) to prepare him for dirt. We feel the Kentucky-bred is a top-class performer capable of firing well fresh, and his speed is an attribute because he won't have to deal with any kickback if he establishes a forward position as expected. He's got a chance to record a minor upset.

Big Drama is obviously very formidable, recording a four-for-five mark at the six-furlong distance, and exits a good second in the seven-furlong Forego (G1) that should have him prepared for his best on Saturday. He's recorded two wins and two seconds from four starts this season and appears to have been training great in South Florida for David Fawkes. The four-year-old colt owns terrific BRIS numbers and has the speed to establish a good position from the innermost post.

Girolamo will make his third start off the layoff and appears to be sitting on a big performance for Godolphin. Unplaced in the Forego in his first start off a 10-month layoff, the four-year-old improved off that performance with a good-looking, 2 1/2-length score in the Vosburgh (G1) last time that netted him a 106 BRIS Speed rating. He's eligible to keep moving forward off that performance and owns plenty of natural speed. We won't be surprised to see him pounce from just off the early pace.

WISE DAN (Wiseman's Ferry) is an improving three-year-old who may be capable of making his presence felt here. A 3 1/2-length allowance/optional-claiming winner over the track two back, the lightly-raced gelding stretched his win streak to three with a smart half-length decision in the October 8 Phoenix S. (G3) at Keeneland. Charles Lopresti's horses are firing on all cylinders presently, and Wise Dan appears to have plenty of upside. We won't be surprised to see him jump up and challenge on the class hike.

SMILING TIGER (Hold That Tiger) scares us in his dirt bow. Winner of the Ancient Title (G1) last out, the sophomore colt is a two-time Grade 1 victor on synthetics and gave every indication that he'll take to dirt when breezing five furlongs in :58 3/5 last Saturday. His recent BRIS numbers are very respectable, and we won't be surprised to see him in the thick of things, with a chance to win, turning for home. SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) is an improving late runner who could possibly get involved in the stretch run. We're not sure how he fits at this level on dirt, but we like his recent efforts, including a fast-finishing second in the Ancient Title last out, and will include him in some exotics.

RILEY TUCKER (Harlan's Holiday) likes the track, winning the Aristides S. (G2) by two lengths in late May, and brings some solid BRIS Speed ratings into the race. The stalker can't be eliminated from exotics consideration, but we're not too high on his chances. Grade 1 victor WARRIOR'S REWARD (Medaglia d'Oro) is capable of outperforming our expectations, but we don't like his chances at six furlongs. The closer can't be knocked based on form, but we feel he could leave himself too much to do in the stretch. Your call.

ATTA BOY ROY (Tribunal) ran a great race over the track when capturing the Churchill Downs S. (G2) on Derby day, but we question whether he's sharp enough presently to get the job done here. PASHITO THE CHE (Flatter) is a hard-knocking colt from the Scott Lake stable with plenty of gas. He'll be winging it from the start, but we can't envision him sustaining his speed in this deep spot. CASH REFUND (Petionville) could mix it up early, but he doesn't look good enough to be a serious factor. HAMAZING DESTINY (Salt Lake) appears overmatched at this level.

1st-KINSALE KING
2nd-BIG DRAMA
3rd-GIROLAMO

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

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 TYPHOON SLEW MAKER MICHAEL J LEPAROUX JULIEN 122
2 DECIPHERING DREAMS DUTROW RICHARD E DOMINGUEZ R A 122
3 MANTOBA (GB) MEEHAN BRIAN DETTORI LANFRAN 122
4 AIR SUPPORT MCGAUGHEY CLAUDE III MARAGH RAJIV 122
5 MASTER OF HOUNDS O'BRIEN AIDAN P MURTAGH JOHN P 122
6 UTLEY GOSDEN JOHN H M BUICK WILLIAM T 122
7 WILLCOX INN STIDHAM MICHAEL VELAZQUEZ J R 122
8 BANNED PROCTOR THOMAS F ROSARIO JOEL 122
9 SOLDAT MCLAUGHLIN KIARAN P GARCIA A 122
10 MADMAN DIARIES WARD WESLEY A SANCHEZ JEFFREY 122
11 ROUGH SAILING STIDHAM MICHAEL NAPRAVNIK ANNA 122
12 HUMBLE AND HUNGRY CORREAS IGNACIO IV PESLIER O 122
13 PLUCK PLETCHER TODD A GOMEZ G K 122

A baker's dozen is set for the $1 million Juvenile Turf (G2), and we feel the Europeans are capable of dominating this event. UTLEY (Smart Strike) hails from regal bloodlines -- he's a half-sibling to champion filly Rainbow View (Dynaformer), Arlington Million (G1) runner-up Just as Well (A.P. Indy) and multiple Grade 3 queen Winter View (Thunder Gulch) -- and looks like a very promising colt from the barn of John Gosden, who has captured the last two runnings of this event.

After breaking his maiden two back in England, Utley went straight to a Group 1 event in France and finished a decent fifth to the highly-regarded Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj). That's the same path that 2009 Juvenile Turf winner Pounced took and we feel Utley will improve significantly off the performance. He's shown good tactical speed in his last two efforts and figures to be in position to challenge turning for home with William Buick. We'll give the promising colt a slight edge.

MANTOBA (GB) (Noverre) is an interesting, improving type from the Brian Meehan stable that could jump up and challenge for the win here. A maiden winner two back, he convincingly defeated a well-regarded maiden winner when capturing a conditions event at Newmarket last out and recorded a fast time over the mile trip. We like the fact that he's been in the firing line in his last two starts and expect him to establish good early position under Frankie Dettori before offering his best.

AIR SUPPORT (Smart Strike) didn't run fast when capturing the Pilgrim S. (G3) last out, but he did accelerate clear for a 1 1/2-length decision and is eligible to move forward off that performance. We think the Shug McGaughey trainee may own more potential at three, but he appears to be on the improve and we'll throw him in our top three at an expected nice price.

MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo) owns the best European credentials, finishing third in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) last out, but we wonder whether he'll move forward over the tight turns at Churchill Downs. He was off for three months prior to his last, and we don't know what to make of the fact that he's already raced five times this season for Aidan O'Brien. We're inclined to leave him out of the top three but will definitely include him in the gimmicks.

BANNED (Kitten's Joy) has turned in a couple of encouraging performances for Tom Proctor, but he wasn't facing much in those starts and could find this class hike a little too difficult. We'll still use the improving late runner on some tickets. SOLDAT (War Front) faltered as the odds-on choice in the Pilgrim and is eligible to run better back on firm turf, but his lone career win was a front-running victory over a conveyor belt at Saratoga. He won't get those same conditions here, but it's probably foolish to completely dismiss his chances for the top three.

PLUCK (More Than Ready) didn't run very fast when capturing the Summer S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine last time and drew a terrible post on the far outside. We'll have to let him beat us. ROUGH SAILING (Mizzen Mast) looked good breaking his maiden at Arlington Park over a weak group and will return to turf following a couple of stakes efforts on Polytrack. He's reportedly training well, but this may be too much of a class hike. DECIPHERING DREAMS (Freud) was in position to challenge before faltering in the Pilgrim last time, and the New York-bred has never earned good BRIS numbers. We're inclined to take a stand against him.

TYPHOON SLEW (Stormy Atlantic) wasn't a serious factor in his last two stakes attempts and we can't expect him to move forward on the class hike. WILLCOX INN (Harlan's Holiday) has never raced on turf and doesn't look fast enough to challenge. Maiden winner HUMBLE AND HUNGRY (Limehouse) would be a huge surprise from post 12. MADMAN DIARIES (Bring the Heat) will probably be mixing it up on the front end, but he doesn't figure to sustain his speed in his turf debut.

1st-UTLEY
2nd-MANTOBA
3rd-AIR SUPPORT