Breeders Cup Thread

[flatman]

Charlie Hall my arse. A lot of jumps noise around here and proper racing in US

Turf:

St Nicholas Abbey will break from stall three when he defends his crown in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old was a hugely impressive winner of the mile-and-a-half Grade One 12 months ago and he has run some fine races in Europe this term.

After winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom, St Nicholas Abbey was placed in three consecutive top-level events before finishing down the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

He is joined in the Santa Anita line-up by stable companion Treasure Beach, who is a regular runner in America and is right next door in the starting stalls in four of 12.

Frankie Dettori partners former Brian Meehan inmate Cogito (six) for Doug O'Neill, while the former Stan Moore-trained Slim Shadey is an interesting runner for Simon Callaghan, but stall 11 is not ideal.

Fillies Turf

The Fugue takes top billing in a field of 12 runners for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Friday.

John Gosden's Nassau Stakes heroine will start from stall four, while last year's runner-up Nahrain (stall eight) is back for more for Roger Varian.

Richard Hughes has picked up the ride on David Simcock's I'm A Dreamer (stall 11), and Ridasiyna (stall 10) goes for French handler Mikel Delzangles, with Aidan O'Brien saddling the Ryan Moore-ridden Up (stall seven).

The main American hope is Marketing Mix (stall nine), whose trainer Tom Proctor told ESPN: "The Filly and Mare Turf is always one of the better races on the Breeders' Cup card.

"It's always very contentious, and the European horses seem real spectacular. They always come running with a good turn of foot, but our filly is a very nice mare and she's doing good."

Breeders Cup Mile

Excelebration has hardened as favourite for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita after being handed stall six of nine.

Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old touched down in California as many people's idea of the European 'banker' of the meeting following his brilliant display in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Both Sky Bet and Ladbrokes cut Excelebration to 5-4 from 6-4, and Sky Bet's Richard Horner said: "There should be no excuses from stall six. He is this year's European banker after his impressive Ascot victory and the bookmakers' evening will be made if he is beaten."

French star Moonlight Cloud fared less well and will break widest of all in stall nine. Trainer Freddie Head is aiming to win the race for the sixth time in all, having ridden Miesque to two wins in 1980s before saddling the incredible Goldikova to land the race three times.

The chief American hope is multiple Grade One winner Wise Dan, and his trainer Charles Lopresti was satisfied after his charge drew stall two.

"It seems like he's won from every hole there is. I would have rather had probably (stall) four to six if I could get it, but I'm glad there's only nine horses in there," Lopresti told ESPN.

"He's going to have to run the race of his life, I'll tell you, but then whoever wins the race will have run the race of their life. There's some really nice horses in there and you've got to consider all of them."

The Graham Motion-trained Animal Kingdom (stall five) makes his first appearance since February having suffered a fractured ilium.

"Animal Kingdom being in the middle like that is perfect. I can't wait to run him again; I'm just excited to have him back on the track. When you have a horse like that, to have him on the sidelines is very frustrating," said Motion.

"The reason we're running is because everything up to this point has gone so smoothly. It's a very competitive race but I'd made up my mind to point for this race and it's not like I'm going to change my mind just because of the competition."

[Terry]

You are wasting your time flatman

Some might argue that the Breeders’ Cup is waning. That is debatable, but it is not waning half as much as it would have been had this meeting been scheduled for Belmont or even Monmouth, where Superstorm Sandy made landfall. So far fortune, at least, is on its side.

Instead, Santa Anita was gearing up for the 29th edition of this series of races, which is worth $25.5 million. However, it was doing so without 15 horses, including three big race fancies, which are stranded in Kentucky. The juvenile Shanghai Bobby, into which Coolmore bought a half-share yesterday, Dreaming of Julia and Excelebration’s big danger in the Mile, Wise Dan, are all expected to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday – hardly the perfect preparation.

They will be accompanied by Breeders’ Cup security guards so that they comply with the 72-hour rule that states that all runners must be under Breeders’ Cup supervision three days before they run.

Though the 2012 British challenge numbers 10, it is slightly surprising that there aren’t more given that the playing field has been levelled in the juvenile races. The drug Lasix, ubiquitous in America, is used to stop horse’s breaking blood vessels and has been banned from use in two-year-olds which, potentially, could make results unpredictable. It is intended that this ban is rolled out to all races for the 30th anniversary, although a year is a long time – time enough to change good intentions at any rate. Some trainers here still believe it will equate to the sky falling in.

The Lasix ban was not the reason for Ralph Beckett bringing Waterway Run. She was nominated for the series as a foal, which means a huge reduction on entry fees.
Beckett is no stranger to Santa Anita, indeed it was the scene of one of his greatest moments. In 2008 he saw an opportunity when the Marathon was run, not only for the first time but also on a synthetic surface, which has since been replaced by the traditional dirt. He bought Muhannak specifically for the job and pulled it off. On dirt, he conceded, Muhannak would probably have drowned.

He believes Waterway Run, winner of three of her four starts including a Newmarket Group Three last time, will thrive on this experience. “She’s very hardy and likes the travelling,” he said. “She was bought in Keeneland as a yearling, consigned to the Saint-Cloud breeze-ups from Cork in Ireland and came to me in May. After that, this will be like a Sunday afternoon outing for her.”

For her preparation he pegged out a tight left-hand bend on his grass gallops at home. “It was sharper than the Canal Turn,” he joked, “and so tight I had to resort to my two finest Brazilian work-riders, who managed to carry it out successfully.” Frankie Dettori, her jockey, will sit on her on Thursday.

James Doyle, who will ride Dundonnell in Saturday’s Juvenile Turf, was an instant Breeders’ Cup convert. “It’s great to be here not only with a ride but on a horse with a massive chance,” he said, after partnering the highly – strung Dundonnell. “He’s fallen in love with his pony, which has given him great confidence.”

[JohnC]

Even the Americans arent excited ...

Breeders' Cup has plenty of races, not many stars
With 15 races over two days at Santa Anita, trainers can pick and choose the best event for their horse.

The Breeders' Cup comes to Santa Anita this week without a superstar like Zenyatta, and it's also missing the injured Triple Crown race winners from this year, I'll Have Another and Union Rags.

So why watch?

"Because the best horses in the world are running over a two-day period and because there'll be some good racin'," said veteran trainer Tom Proctor, who nears his 5,000th start by sending 9-2 shot Marketing Mix, with jockey Garrett Gomez, to the $2-million Filly and Mare Turf on Friday.

The lack of star power hits in the sixth year since the Breeders' Cup converted what was an eight-race, one-day event to a two-day festival that now stands at 15 races, including the Marathon and five juvenile races.

So, instead of a competition crammed with talent, there's dilution now, as owners and trainers can select the most specialized race to increase their odds of winning a purse that ranges from $500,000 to $5 million.

"The Juvenile Sprint, for instance, is a very weak field," said Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form. "Nobody would miss that race if it wasn't run. With 15 races, it can be harder for people to focus on the core of what makes this special. There's too much background noise."

Proctor wishes Breeders' Cup purses would be distributed differently, by investing not in extra races like this weekend's, but in special Breeders' Cup features at tracks throughout the nation like Portland Meadows in Oregon and Aqueduct in New York.

Nevertheless, Privman, Proctor and others religiously close to the sport are enthused about the richness of talent that will play out at the base of the San Gabriel mountains Friday and Saturday.

Trainer Bob Baffert's Game On Dude is favored in the Classic, as jockey Rafael Bejarano has replaced last year's runner-up rider, Chantal Sutherland, in pursuit of the Eclipse Award for horse of the year.

Even without Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another and Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags, along with two-time Triple Crown runner-up Bodemeister, Game On Dude has work to do.

The Classic features Santa Anita Handicap winner Ron The Greek, two-time Jockey Gold Cup winner Flat Out, Woodward Stakes winner To Honor And Serve and Baffert's former Richard's Kid, now trained by I'll Have Another handler Doug O'Neill.

One of the numerous horses afforded options in the multi-race card was third-place Kentucky Derby finisher Dullahan, whose trainer, Dale Romans, rejected the Classic in favor of the $3-million Turf on Saturday.

Romans also placed 2011 Preakness winner Shackleford in the $1-million Dirt Mile as a 2-1 favorite instead of the Classic. "To keep him a little shorter and if he wins, he can be the [Eclipse Award] sprint champion. That played into it," Romans said.

"I had a tough decision — which one fit us best," Romans said. "That's the decision a lot of us have to make. It's most important to make sure we're competing in the best category, and I believe that jockeying and strategizing is fun for the true race fan."

Breeders' Cup Chief Executive Craig Fravel said his organization annually reviews its lineup of races.

The thought now is that in addition to giving more incentive to European horses to enter, Fravel said, "The Breeders' Cup has always been about making the business better. I guarantee you there won't be a bad race."

There are eight former Breeders' Cup winners in the weekend field, including defending Sprint champion Amazombie, trained by veteran Southern California horseman Bill Spawr, and defending Ladies' Classic champion Royal Delta.

After winning last year's race, Royal Delta was expected to be retired with a sale pending.

Now, Royal Delta is back with trainer Bill Mott, competing in "as good a race as you could ever want," Privman said. Royal Delta will go against last year's Juvenile Fillies winner My Miss Aurelia (unbeaten in six starts) and 2010 Juvenile Fillies winner Awesome Feather (unbeaten in 10 starts).

The $2-million Mile Turf is also gripping, led by perhaps America's greatest horse, Wise Dan, a 9-5 favorite, against 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Ireland's Excelebration, trained by the distinguished Aidan O'Brien.

Wise Dan's arrival is pending, awaiting bad weather to calm on the East Coast after Hurricane Sandy.

Animal Kingdom's handlers took the unique route of letting the horse recover from a left hind leg injury in February only through workouts, balking at smaller Breeders' Cup prep races.

Four of Excelebration's five losses were to the great European horse Frankel, who retired at 14-0 this month after his connections chose to close the 4-year-old's career overseas rather than at Santa Anita.

O'Brien will also send St Nicholas Abbey to defend his Turf title.

Point Of Entry, the Turf favorite who has won five consecutive Grade I races, is considered in some corners to be America's finest turf horse.

"You can't judge an event like this on an individual horse," Fravel said. "When you see that it's possible the world rankings will come out one, two, three with horses that will race here … we have nothing to worry about."

[JohnC]

ATR site has plenty of stuff if this is your bag ...

http://www.attheraces.com/breederscup/index.aspx?ref=splash

[flatman]

The views of those nice bookie types


FRIDAY

Can you see Fame And Glory being popular in the Marathon following his effort at Ascot on Champions Day? How do you think he'll cope with the Dirt?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: He will still be popular with the punters as a former Group 1 winner against a lot of horses they have never heard of but he isn't as good or consistent as he used to be and with a big doubt on his ability to act on dirt there are too many question marks over him to make him one of the European bankers.

Simon Clare, Coral: On paper he is much the best horse in the race and I am sure he will attract plenty of support from his fans willing to forgive some below par efforts this season, particularly as he wasn't beaten that far on Champions Day after travelling well into the straight. Coral will be looking to get as much of him in the book as possible as there must be serious doubts about Fame And Glory's suitability for the dirt both in terms of his breeding and whether he now has the desire to dig deep when the going gets tough. On the dirt over 1m 6f the going always get tough!

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: The efforts of his siblings do not support a switch to dirt and he has looked increasingly frustrating this year. The appearance of a visor supports the theory that he hasn't been giving his all. As one of only two Euro-runners in the race he will have his supporters but considering a lack of familiarity with US runners and questions over F&G most UK punters will likely swerve this one.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: I wasn't convinced that Fame And Glory's poor run at Ascot was a result of the testing ground; I fear the great horse is beginning to get a bit canny in his old age and this could well be his swansong. he's sure to be popular as one of few familiar names but I'd be surprised if he still had the ability and appetite to win on the dirt.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Don't think the drop back in trip will beat him but not convinced he will be suited by dirt and he looks sure to drift. Connections have little to lose and should be applauded for letting the entire take his chance but not for us.

We're represented by a couple of fillies in the Juvenile races on Friday, Ceiling Kitty and Sky Lantern, the latter is obviously favourite but would a European victory for either be a bad result?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: Yes a victory for Sky Lantern will no doubt be a terrible result as the favourite and ridden by the champion jockey elect Richard Hughes who is fast becoming the punters favourite after a tremendous year.

Simon Clare, Coral: On Breeders' Cup night most of the money we take is on the European horses so we are nearly always cheering for the Americans. Sky Lantern promises to be one of the best backed horses on Friday with champion jockey Richard Hughes in the saddle but Europe has never won the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Spring Venture looks a formidable opponent. Ceiling Kitty has a chance by virtue of the fact that the Juvenile Sprint is the worst Breeders' Cup race ever staged but Merit Man looks a very fast two-year-old indeed and should be odds-on. He can win in a canter.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: Sky Lantern has a very solid looking chance and will be a popular choice. If she reproduces her Moyglare form she will be tough to beat. On an alien surface, against a couple of US hotpots, Ceiling Kitty is unlikely to appeal to the same degree.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Sky Lantern would be costly but it'd be good to get one on the scoreboard before Saturday. I was at the Curragh when she took the Moyglare and that performance was excellent. She's drawn well and can be expected to go mighty close.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: I can see Sky Lantern proving very popular although there are mixed messages on breeding as to whether the step up to a mile will see further improvement. A Breeders' Cup Juvenile success would be the icing on the cake for the Hannon/Hughes combination but she is sure to be a bad result. The chances of Ceiling Kitty on dirt seem less obvious and I can't see her attracting support in the curtain-raiser.

[flatman]

Will you be cheering on The Fugue in the Filly & Mare Turf or is she one European hopeful you'd like to see turned over?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: I'm sure the company won't be cheering her on as she will be the worst result in the race but from a personal view it is always good to see our horses going over there and beating the yanks.

Simon Clare, Coral: On a personal level I will be cheering on The Fugue as I think she has an outstanding chance but she would be a bad result for Coral. This is a race that Europe will definitely win, and could even have a 1-2-3, with Nahrain, I'm A Dreamer and Ridasiyna all serious contenders. Nahrain and I'm A Dreamer have both looked terrific on the track this week and whilst they are a few pounds behind The Fugue and Ridasiyna on ratings, they have both tasted Group 1 success in the USA this season and that experience will stand them in good stead.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: Sure to be popular but the price looks to relate to her chance. She faces a strong challenger in Ridasiyna.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: The firm would like to get her chinned but she's been a terrific flag-bearer this season and I'll probably find myself cheering her on.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Has been on the go since the Guineas but looks the class act and connections have given her two months off since her narrow defeat in the Yorkshire Oaks. Her main market rival Ridasiyna would want plenty of rain and I think Nahrain, runner-up in the corresponding race last year, can make it a British 1-2.

Who is the filly you fear most in the Ladies Classic?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: My Miss Aurelia is a perfect 6/6 and will not give up her unbeaten record easily.

Simon Clare, Coral: Royal Delta will be well supported but this looks one of the best Ladies Classics in Breeders Cup history and she has her work cut out to repeat last year's success. My Miss Aurelia and Awesome Feather are both unbeaten while Questing has put up some terrific performances this season. This is truly a race to savour and for what it's worth I think Royal Delta is going to storm to a historic victory.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: It's a very strong looking renewal having plenty of strength in depth. Royal Delta winning again would not be a great result.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: It's a shame Royal Delta hasn't gone straight for the Classic proper as she'd be a likely second favourite there. She'll take some beating here.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: I think punters will get behind last year's impressive winner Royal Delta who is guaranteed to stay but I favour the unbeaten Awesome Feather although this is her acid test.

SATURDAY

How solid a favourite is Dundonnell for the Juvenile Turf? Do you envisage much interest in the other European raiders for the race?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: Lines through Steeler give him the edge over Fantastic Moon and Artigiano, two of our other hopes, and with the two Aidan O'Brien horses looking beatable he looks the one to beat but whether 3/1 is value is open to question after his narrow defeat at Doncaster last time out.

Simon Clare, Coral: Dundonnell must have an excellent chance in a race with a strong European challenge. Roger Charlton has left no stone unturned in preparing him for the race and he looks certain to appreciate the pace and ground he will face on Saturday, but at the prices I would rather back George Vancouver and Artigiano. Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori have brilliant track records at the Breeders' Cup and always attract strong support with British punters, and I think they will both ride big races on horses that will love the fast ground.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: He's clearly shown the best form of the European horses and historically the US turf two-year-olds are largely failed dirt horses. Having said that I can see support for the solid Artigiano and Fantastic Moon, who would have been close to Artigiano last time but for meeting trouble.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Dundonnell is drawn well enough but it's a hot looking race. Lines of Battle will struggle from the 14 box in a race where the draw is going to be critical.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: I got the impression at both Lingfield and York that the colt needs fast ground to be seen at his best and the ground looked too loose at Doncaster last time. Well drawn and one of my personal fancies although getting a tad skinny now at 3s.

[flatman]

Can Starspangledbanner make an impact in the Turf Sprint? Any spike in interest in him following the draw?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: It will be a superb training performance by Aidan O'Brien if he can get this one to win a Breeders cup race after coming back from retirement but he hasn't shown enough in his four runs this year to suggest he can turn back time and return to his very best which would be good enough. No interest in him before or after the draw but will no doubt get some sentimental money on the night.

Simon Clare, Coral: On Wednesday morning Aidan O'Brien spoke enthusiastically about his chance and he represents great value for the Turf Sprint. He has been drawn in the best position for the unique Santa Anita downhill sprint course and on the fast ground that he craves I can see him winning this and winning well. The American team look an ordinary bunch proofed by the fact that old timer California Flag is second favourite. Starspangledbanner is my best bet of the week.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: On this season's efforts you can't hold out much hope but to be fair, he hasn't had his ideal conditions. Six furlongs on fast-ish ground should be perfect and on his old form he would pick these up and carry them, but there hasn't been much interest in him.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: It's unlikely. Coming from a placed effort on Friday night in Dundalk to take a Breeders' Cup race would be a fantastic training performance but he's hardly being backed off the boards at 12s.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: We have cut him into 10s but weak betting heat and not convinced he screamed Breeders' Cup winner when fourth at Dundalk over 5f last weekend.

What's your position on St Nicholas Abbey in the Turf? Can he repeat his heroics from last year?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: There is no doubt that St Nicholas Abbey on his best form is the one to beat in his attempt to follow up last years victory but he has had a fairly tough season and a slog in the mud when well beaten in the Arc wasn't the ideal preparation, but if he is over that he must still put up a big show.

Simon Clare, Coral: St Nicholas Abbey could well emulate High Chapparal and Conduit by winning back to back Breeders' Cup Turfs. Point Of Entry is clearly a good American turf horse but we have seen year in year out that our European horses are far superior and the main dangers to St Nicholas Abbey are Shareta, and a rare challenger from Japan, Trailblazer. I still favour St Nicholas Abbey as he has been there, seen it, got the T-shirt. It could be a stellar Breeders' Cup for Aidan O'Brien.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: He has a solid chance under his ideal conditions but in Point Of Entry, Shareta and Trailblazer he faces three rivals of a very similar level to him.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Very much so, although the Americans have got their best hope of disrupting our Turf dominance in the shape of Point Of Entry. It won't be the usual help-yourself buffet for the Europeans this weekend.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Why not? 12f and fast ground are his optimum conditions although that can also be said of Shareta who also didn't give her running in the Arc. She just gets the nod and another European 1-2?

Does the short gap between the QEII and BC give you hope Excelebration can be beaten in the Mile? And what about Moonlight Cloud's chances?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: The short gap gives us some hope of getting him beat but I would still think he will be very hard to beat if anywhere near top form as it seems to be if he's not racing against Frankel he wins. Freddie Head knows what it takes to win at the Breeders Cup after his wonder mare Goldikova was a multiple winner and he will have primed Moonlight Cloud to be spot on for the day after her narrow victory over Godolphin's Farhh last time out at Longchamp and she looks an each-way bet to nothing at 5/1.

Simon Clare, Coral: We will not be looking to get too stuck into Excelebration. He has raced in Frankel's shadow for the last two years but that doesn't disguise the fact that he is still one of the best milers we have seen for some time. The two week gap shouldn't be a problem but Moonlight Cloud could be. She has the perfect profile for the race not least because she is trained by a Breeders' Cup Mile legend in Freddie Head but I think she will have to settle for second behind the majestic Excelebration, crowning a great two days for Ballydoyle.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: He won so comfortably at Ascot, I cant see it being an issue. Having said that, I really like Moonlight Cloud's chances. A sharp mile such as this will be right up her street and the yard know exactly what it takes to win this race with a filly.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Excelebration deserves to win and ought to win. His Ascot demolition job was first rate and he could be the star performer this weekend. I wouldn't in any way be discouraged by Moonlight Cloud's draw. She'll be dropped out anyway and too much is made of the draw in these fields that don't fill up. She'll be a fast-finishing second to Excelebration.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Only had five starts this season and should be OK on that score and I just feel the filly must have soft ground to show her best. Wise Dan is a big danger and I know many think he is the banker of the meeting.

Who is your personal fancy in the Classic?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: Although Game On Dude will be hard to beat I like Mucho Macho Man to run a big race each way at around the 8/1 mark.

Simon Clare, Coral: It is by no means a vintage Breeders' Cup Classic and Game On Dude should prove too good and too consistent for an unspectacular bunch of opponents. Mucho Macho Man can run into a place and can win if Game On Dude has an off day but I expect Bob Baffert's colt to win and win well.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: It's difficult to knock Game On Dude, given his record round here but he's no value at 2/1. At the prices I like the look of Ron The Greek and To Honor And Serve.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: It's as uninspiring a renewal as I can recall for ages and Game On Dude should win but To Honor And Serve represents the best value at time of writing.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: I thought Game on Dude was ultra impressive last time and must be the one to beat. We want to stay on the right side of last year's runner-up.

GENERAL

Who is the European banker?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: No doubt Excelebration is the European banker and much of the night will depend on getting him beat.

Simon Clare, Coral: The European banker at the Breeders' Cup has to be Excelebration. I promised on twitter recently to breakdance in the Santa Anita press room if Wise Dan beats Excelebration and I'm so confident of victory that I haven't even practised my spins and moves.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: Excelebration has to be the best of the Euros.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Excelebration.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: As long as the ground remains fast Shareta to confirm Arc running with St Nicholas Abbey.

If different, who is your banker of the meeting?

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: John Gosden is another European trainer who knows how to prepare one for this meeting and with our record in the turf races I think The Fugue at 11/4 is the best bet of the night in the Filly And Mare Turf.

Simon Clare, Coral: Amazombie in the Sprint looks outstanding value to repeat last year's win. He is a top class specialist six furlong sprinter who has the perfect running style for a big field, strong run race like the Breeders' Cup Sprint and that is more than can be said for some of his main rivals, particularly Coil and Capital Account.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: I can't see Groupie Doll being beaten in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Merit Man should hose up in the Juvenile Sprint.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Wise Dan to beat Excelebration in the Mile.

Which one horse will your traders be cheering against come Saturday night

Richard Horner, Sky Bet: We will be cheering against all the European raiders from a company point of view but getting Excelebration beat will be the biggest result.

Simon Clare, Coral: The Coral traders will be cheering against the main European hopefuls as these will be significantly overbet, even if we aren't taking a serious stance against them. The likes of Excelebration, The Fugue, Sky Lantern, St Nicholas Abbey and Fame And Glory will hold the key to the success or otherwise of the meeting for bookmakers, and victory for three or more will prove very painful indeed regardless of what happens in the other races.

Damian Snee/Mike Bellamy, William Hill: Excelebration will be in virtually every UK punters 'multi's' on the night. If we get him beaten it could be a good night.

David Williams, Ladbrokes: Game On Dude will be expensive.

Charlie McCann, BetVictor: Excelebration was visually so impressive at Ascot in the QEII and it is so clear in the memory that I think he is the European horse that punters will get behind and he could be the pivotal horse.

[Old Vic]

Barn Notes

While the horses from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle Stables remain in quarantine until they are able to make their first appearance on the track Thursday, the trainer was at the barn on Wednesday morning and spent some time with members of the international media discussing some of his Breeders' Cup hopefuls:

Of St Nicholas Abbey (defending champion in the Breeders' Cup Turf), O'Brien had this to say, "I think it is safe to say you can put a line through his last run in the Arc. (Jockey) Joseph (O'Brien) knew after a furlong or so that the horse was in trouble on that ground, and did his best to look after the horse as well as he could. Hopefully it will be a different story on quicker ground here."

Fame and Glory (Marathon), "He's been a great horse and a great servant to the yard - he owes us nothing. This is a bit of an experiment, I suppose. He stays well, and it's really a question of whether, being a Montjeu, he handles the surface or not. As he's gotten older he's maybe just started to keep a little for himself; started to think a little, so we might try things a little differently. We'll put a pair of blinkers on him. Jamie (Spencer) might just try and jump him out and let him roll along and we'll see how he goes from there."

Excelebration (Mile), "As he's got older he appears to have got stronger and faster. When he won at Ascot, the ground was obviously a lot softer than he'll meet on Saturday, but hopefully he'll handle that OK. It was always the plan to come on to the Breeders' Cup after Ascot, and I suppose there is always the chance that two group 1 races in two weeks is asking too much of the horse, but he seems in very good form."

George Vancouver and Lines of Battle (Juvenile Turf), "In terms of their work at home, there's not much between the two, and Lines of Battle might just shade George Vancouver. But Ryan (Moore) picked George Vancouver as he felt that the step up to a mile, and the track here, would suit him. He's a 'Henry' (sired by Henrythenavigator) and he loved the fast ground and didn't act on the soft, and I think George Vancouver is the same. I have a lot of 'Henrys' at home who haven't had their ground this season as we've had such a wet year back in Ireland."

Despite the poor visibility trackside this morning Dermot Weld's Sense of Purpose (Marathon) was the first European to take to the track with regular jockey Pat Smullen on board. The son of Galileo went a couple of circuits of the track before returning to the barn.

Ralph Beckett was on hand to supervise the morning work of his Juvenile Fillies Turf challenger Waterway Run, who did some gentle exercise on the dirt track.

"I'm happy enough with my filly, happier today than I was yesterday when I thought she might still be a little tired after the flight over, but she wasn't tired this morning," Beckett said. "Everything's going OK. She didn't draw that well (in post 10 of 14), but she's got Frankie (Dettori) on board, and I'll leave him to overcome that."

Rafael Bejarano was given the leg up on Tom Dascombe's Ceiling Kitty (Juvenile Sprint), who once again took a while to get used to the strange surroundings. She was put into the gate and gave the impression that she was not happy at all by planting herself firmly on the Santa Anita dirt. She then went for a circuit of the track, but never really settled.

I'm A Dreamer (Filly & Mare Turf) went a nice steady canter for a circuit in the hands of English jockey Laura Pike. The daughter of Noverre will be hoping she can make it two wins in a year in America having already won the Beverly D. at Arlington Park

The focus for the Europeans then moved to the turf track where Jeremy Noseda and John Gosden were on hand to witness their Breeders' Cup hopefuls stretch their legs. The Fugue (Filly & Mare Turf), who will be bidding to give Gosden his fifth Breeders' Cup victory. did a steady canter for a circuit. William Buick who was on board was happy enough with his filly.

"She's very well and I'm happy with her," Buick said. "She's an athletic type, but she's intelligent too - she handled the track and the turns fine and changed her leads too. That's all we asked of her."

Noseda's duo of The Gold Cheongsam (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and Fantastic Moon (Juvenile Turf) also stretched their legs with Fantastic Moon doing a slightly stronger canter than his stable companion. Joining those four on the turf was the Roger Charlton-trained Dundonnell (Juvenile Turf).

Dundonnell was once again ridden by James Doyle, walking a circuit of the track with his pony before going around again in a canter.

Having left the track, all the horses went through the tunnel and did a few laps of the walking ring before returning to the barn.

The French were the next to come out on to the track with Moonlight Cloud (Mile) at the head of the group. She had a gentle walk of the main track before going a couple of circuits at a gentle canter.

Freddy Head, who flew to California Tuesday night, was trackside to watch his Prix du Moulin winner.

Afterward he was asked to compare Moonlight Cloud with his three-time Breeders' Cup Mile-winning mare Goldikova.

"You can't compare them, as there will only ever be one Goldikova. But Moonlight Cloud is very good in her own right. As she has gotten older, she maybe has lost a little bit of her speed, but at the same time her stamina has improved, so she is now effective over further (ground)."

Shareta (Turf), trained at Chantilly by Alain de Royer-Dupre, did the strongest piece of work of the French horses. Having warmed up with a gentle jog and a canter for two circuits, the daughter of Sinndar was then asked to move up a gear and did a much stronger canter for almost three-quarters of a lap.

The remainder of the French, Mikel Dezangles' Ridasiyna (Filly & Mare Turf) and Flotilla (Juvenile Fillies Turf) stretched their legs with a gentle canter.

Roger Varian's Nahrain (Filly & Mare Turf), runner-up to Perfect Shirl in last year's Filly & Mare Turf, saw the Santa Anita track for the first time and did nothing more than walk a circuit of the course

Sky Lantern (Juvenile Fillies Turf) did a more solid canter than yesterday and went a circuit and a half of the track under the surveillance of Richard Hannon Jr.

Godolphin's Artigiano (Juvenile Turf) once again followed the same pattern as the past couple of mornings by first going out on to the training track before coming back and having a stretch on the dirt.