By Allan Gray

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (Friday)

This is one of three new Breeders’ Cup races this year as the NTRA expands the Breeders’ Cup to two days of racing. Dream Rush will more than likely be the favourite. Trained by Richard Violette, Dream Rush comes into the Breeders’ Cup with two wins in a row in two grade one stakes.

Dream Rush likes to run from the front and her last start the Darley Test Stakes at Saratoga, the Wild Rush 3-year-old led from start to finish and pulled away from the rest of the field at the top of the stretch.

La Traviata enters the Breeders’ Cup with a perfect record of three wins in three starts including the grade three Victory Ride Stakes at Saratoga . The connections of La Traviata originally thought about going against the boys. However their change of heart will definitely make this race interesting.

Miss Macy Sue has won five of her last six starts including the Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs. This 4-year-old filly by Trippi is trained by Kelly Von Hemmel. Miss Macy Sue likes to sit behind leaders and could relax behind any speed duel that could develop. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion usually comes from off the pace so she has tradition on her side.

Wild Gams, trained by Ben Perkins, finished second to Miss Macy Sue in the Presque Isle Masters in September and could make a run late to complete an interesting tri.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Friday)

With the racing philosophy in North America geared around the Kentucky Derby, any talented juvenile is not necessary tested on the turf until it is discovered the first Saturday in May is out of the question. Europeans on the other hand run on grass from day one.

Another of the three new races, the Juvie Turf looks to be a showcase of European talent. Strike the Deal has put up some good numbers in his seven starts, including a win in a group two event at Goodwood in the Britain. Trained by Jeremy Noseda, Strike the Deal comes into the Breeders’ Cup with two consecutive seconds in two graded events.

If you want to show your patriotism to North America , Prussian might be the way to go. Trained by Bill Mott, Prussian is two for two in his career, winning the grade three Summer Stakes at Woodbine in his last start. His front running style could be to his advantage. The distance of a mile should not be a problem either as both of his wins have come at a mile or longer.

The Leopard , trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont in his last out, his first start on the grass. Another horse that runs from the front, The Leopard could take advantage no real speed coming from across the pond.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Friday)

Discreet Cat was hailed as the next big thing last year going into the Dubai World Cup, but something went wrong and he never showed up during that race. Since a disappointing seventh in the World Cup, Discreet Cat’s only start was the Vosburgh at Belmont where he finished an unimpressive third and ran like a tired horse down the stretch. Discreet Cat could bounce back to the form of last year, however, he could also be vulnerable.

Lewis Michael is five for six in the top two for this year including a win in the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park in July. Lewis Michael is a Wayne Catalano charge and finished a disappointing fourth his last start in the Goodward at Santa Anita. However, the horse seemed to be fighting the jockey throughout and ran out of gas after his three wide move and could not defend against the fast closing Tiago and Awesome Gem.

Wandering Boy , trained by Nick Zito, has been somewhat inconsistent, however when he is on he shows flashes of brilliance as he did beating Student Council earlier this year in the grade three Alysheba Stakes at Churchill. He also finished second to Invasor in last year’s Pimlico Special Handicap. This horse likes the lead and if he can get it from Discreet Cat he could get courageous up front and surprise everyone.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly (Saturday)

Indian Blessing has done nothing wrong in her only two starts and has been impressive doing it. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the Indian Charlie filly won going away in the grade one Frizette Stakes at Belmont. Indian Blessing will have to prove to everyone she can’t do this.

Although she had a disappointing fifth place finish in the Alciabides Stakes at Keeneland in her last out, Irish Smoke should improve off of it. Irish Smoke could have had problems with Polytrack in her first trip over an artificial surface. Add in a problem at the start and she has multiple excuses.

Irish Smoke went into the Alciabides off of an impressive win in the Spinaway at Saratoga in September. Going back to real dirt, she could still be a contender in the Breeders’ Cup.

A to the Croft has finished second behind Irish Smoke when she was at her best in the Spinaway and finished second to upset winner Country Star in the aforementioned Alciabides. This fast closing daughter of Menifee might have a problem with the absence of any obvious speed, however, horses don’t read the racing form. The outside post will not be a factor with her running style.

Grace Anatomy finished a game third in the Alciabides after breaking in the air. If she gets a clean start, she could also be dangerous.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Saturday)

Last year the top three finishers in this race came from the grade one Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. Those three horses this year are Wicked Style, Slew’s Tiznow, and Old Man Buck.

Wicked Style, trained by George Arnold, came out of the twelve hole to grab the lead and never look back. At the top of the stretch, Wicked Style drew away from the field to win by three lengths.

Drawing the outside post again, Wicked Style has proven he can get the job done from out there and if he can’t get it he can sit in behind horses with a stalking trip like he did in the Arlington Washington Futurity at Arlington Park . Wicked Style has yet to set foot on real dirt having run all of his races on Polytrack. Typically a slower surface, he should have a definite fitness edge.

Slew’s Tiznow chased Wicked Style throughout the Breeders’ Futurity then fought off a fast closing Old Man Buck to finish second.

War Pass comes into the Breeders’ Cup Juvie with huge speed numbers in his wire to wire win in the Champagne Stakes from Belmont . Trained by Nick Zito, War Pass has yet to see the behind of another horse in a race. However, he will be facing a much tougher group of horses. The question is will he get the lead by himself and if not can he relax while looking another horse in the eye?

Kodiak Kowboy is a 2-year-old with a Canadian connection having won the $127,000 Victoria Stakes at Woodbine early in the year. Kodiak Kowboy, trained by Steve Assmussen, has won four of six including two graded stakes, the Saratoga Special and the Bashful Manor Stakes. He has not gone over seven furlongs yet and that could be to his disadvantage.

Pyro was a fast closing second in the Champagne behind War Pass. If someone should collar War Pass , this horse will be flying late and could pass them all.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (Saturday)

Coming into the Breeders’ Cup you cannot ignore an undefeated older horse and Nashoba’s Key is seven for seven thus far. Nashoba’s Key has won two grade one stakes, the Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita and the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, and two other grade two stakes.

Trained by Carla Gaines, Nashoba’s Key will be leaving California for the first time and could be facing much tougher company this time.

Simply Perfect , who comes over from Britain , has put up some big numbers and may be the favourite European thus far. Simply Perfect has won one group one stake this year, the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, and most recently finished fourth in the group one Sun Chariot Stakes also at Newmarket.

Wait A While finished fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf behind the amazing Ouija Board. One of the many Todd Pletcher charges for Breeders’ Cup Day, Wait A While won the grade two Ballston Spa at Saratoga this year and it might be her year to get the big one.

Precious Kitten looks to be the only speed in the race. If she can keep the pace slow she might be able to hold off the mad rush of Europeans.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Saturday)

Midnight Lute got a 124 Beyer with his victory in the grade one Forego Stakes at Saratoga beating Attila’s Storm and Benny the Bull, also in the Sprint. From all indications by the experts the high beyer is not a fluke.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Midnight Lute’s stalking style suits this race perfectly. Most Breeders’ Cup Sprints have been won by someone coming from off the pace. Midnight Lute can sit behind everyone vying for the lead and watch the pace fall apart late.

Benny the Bull’s beyer from the Forego was a 119 and that is well above everyone in this race as well. Can both of these horses live up to those numbers again?

Smokey Stover,Talent Search and Idiot Proof have all won stakes at Monmouth this year. Could the experience over the track give them an edge? Monmouth has never run in the fall and the experts say the surface could play totally different this time of year.

Breeders’ Cup Mile (Saturday)

Since switching over to the grass, Nobiz Like Shobiz, a former contender for the Kentucky Derby, has been perfect. Nobiz Like Shobiz, trained by Barclay Tagg, was impressive winning the grade 2 Jamaica Handicap at Belmont earlier this month.

Prior to the first Saturday in May, Nobiz Like Shobiz won the Holly Bull Stakes and the Wood Memorial on the Derby Trial. In a season where there were so many talented 3-year-olds, those wins could show how good he really is here.

Excellent Art is three of four in the money this year in Europe including winning the group one St. James Palace Stakes at Ascot in June. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Excellent Art could be the better of the two Europeans in this race.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Saturday)

You might consider the grade one Beldame Stakes at Belmont a preview of what the Breeders’ Cup Distaff might look like. With four of the starters in this race using it as a prep, it is only natural.

Unbridled Belle overcame traffic problems to catch Indian Vail in the final strides with Ginger Punch in third. Unbridled Belle, trained by Todd Pletcher, demolished her rivals in the Delaware Handicap in July once again getting the best of Indian Vale who finished a disappointing fifth.

Indian Vale, yet another Todd Pletcher charge, has finished behind Unbridled Belle three times this year including the Personal Ensign Stakes where she finished third.

Ginger Punch, owned by Canadian Frank Stronach, won three graded stakes in a row before falling victim to Unbridled Belle and Indian Vale in the Beldame Ruffian, Go For Wand and the First Flight Handicaps at Belmont Park and Saratoga.

All of these fillies have a stalking running style, but someone must take the lead. Bear Now, winner of the Duchess Stakes, Hill N Dale Stakes and Selene Stakes at Woodbine fills that bill. In the Hill N Dale, Bear Now was able to go wire to wire then pull away down the stretch to win by nine lengths. She comes into the Distaff with a win in the grade two Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Philadelphia Park in late September.

You cannot look at the Distaff without looking a Lear’s Princess. In her last start prior to the Breeders’ Cup, Lier’s Princess beat Rags to Riches, the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over 100 years, in the grade one Gazelle. She seems to be improving with every start, but did she peak in her last outing?

Breeders’ Cup Turf (Saturday)

Dylan Thomas, the winner of the Arc De Triumphe, leads the field in this Breeders’ Cup event. Dylan Thomas, trained by Aidan O’Brien, has finished first or second in all eight starts this year including seven group one events in Britain , France , and Ireland . It should surprise no one that he is the overwhelming favourite for this race.

English Channel is two for two on the Monmouth Turf with back to back wins in the United Nations Handicap. With the tight turns of the Monmouth Turf, English Channel could have an advantage over Dylan Thomas who is used to the sweeping turns in Europe . Trained by Todd Pletcher, English Channel comes into the Breeders’ Cup Turf off a win in the Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont .

Breeders’ Cup Classic (Saturday)

This could be the toughest race seen in years with two classic winners, Street Sense and Curlin, Hard Spun who hit the board in all three Triple Crown races, and Lawyer Ron who is currently considered the top older horse in the country and was winner of last year’s Arkansas Derby. You also have Any Given Saturday, winner of this year’s Haskell.

Street Sense, trained by Carl Natzger, was the first winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to capture the Kentucky Derby. He then lost the Preakness by a bob of the head to Curlin. Street Sense is a courageous horse and has provided horseracing fans some of the best stretch drives this year.

Street Sense’s ability to show a burst of speed when asked might be the key to this race. Experts have said that Monmouth does not suit the horse that makes a long sustained power move and the Derby winner’s quick turn of foot may be to his advantage.

Hard Spun got the best of Street Sense in their last start, the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park . Trained by Larry Jones, Hard Spun’s front running style may give him an advantage with Monmouth’s tight turns. Hard Spun comes into The Classic off two wins and could be peaking just at the right moment.

Any Given Saturday has won at Monmouth and beat both Hard Spun and Curlin. He puts a three race win streak on the line having won the Dwyer, the Haskell and the Brooklyn Handicap.

Lawyer Ron has also come into his own this year while winning three graded events, including the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga . However, Curlin got the best of him in their last start, the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont . Round one went to the young one, can the old man land a knockout punch this time?

Curlin by all accounts has been called a superhorse. He finished first or second in all three Triple Crown races having only started racing in February. If Curlin were to win here, he would definitely get Horse of the Year honours. However, he is one of those big move horses and he could have traffic problems with the tight turns. Could his trip in the Haskell be an indication of his vulnerability?