UPI horse racing weekend preview

It's Breeders' Cup Preview Weekend in America with 10 Grade I stakes, nine of them "Win and You're In" events, and a nice clutch of "minor" races that also have implications for the big days ahead.

While most of the action centers on Belmont Park and Santa Anita, there also are big races at Churchill Downs, Laurel Park, Remington Park and elsewhere.

On the international front, there's a new "Longines World's Best Jockey Award" on offer, with the first honoree to be feted at the gala dinner attending the Longines Hong Kong International Races in December. More in "news and notes."

Racing action across the pond includes Saturday's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes for filly sprinters and the 1-mile Royal Lodge Stakes, a Group 2 event, both at Newmarket. Lankan Rupee tries to get back on the winning track in Australia Friday night.

Let's get untracked and get going.

Classic

Saturday's $1 million, Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park is for 3-year-olds and up but it looks like much of the interest will be focused on the 3-year-olds, including the top three finishers from the Grade I Travers -- V.E. Day, Wicked Strong and Tonalist. That's not to say the older horses won't have something to say about this 10-furlongs, which is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic. That lot includes Moreno, winner of the Grade I Whitney and second in the Grade I Woodward, as well as Last Gunfighter and Prayer for Relief. An interesting proposition is Zivo, who dominated the New York-bred events on the Aqueduct inner track this past winter, then forgot to regress when the waters got deeper. After winning six straight races, including the Grade II Suburban, he finished fourth, beaten just three lengths in the Woodward.

Speaking of 3-year-olds, Shared Belief, last year's 2-year-old champ and now a prospective favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, heads a field of eight for Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. The 9-furlongs event is a "Win and You're In" for the Classic. Shared Belief missed the Triple Crown races with an injury but remains undefeated with three straight wins following his time off. In his most recent outing, he convincingly beat older horses in the Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar but he also is a winner on dirt. Majestic Harbor, Imperative and perhaps Fed Biz could muster enough to challenge the likely odds-on favorite on their best day although Imperative was a no-threat third in the Pacific Classic. Mystery Train was dynamite in Argentina but flopped badly in his first U.S. race a month ago.

Sunday's $400,000, Grade III Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park attracted a field of 14 to try 9 furlongs on the dirt. Wildcat Red, winner of the Grade II Fountain of Youth and second in the Florida Derby, tries to work his way back into the winner's circle here. He was third in the Grade I Haskell and fifth in the Grade I King's Bishop in his last two races. Tonito M and Charge Now have been running in tougher company. Declan's Fast Cat was second behind Vicar's In Trouble in the Grade I Super Derby three weeks ago at boxcar odds. Rebranded won the Colorado Derby and the Ruidoso Thoroughbred Derby in his last two outings. Street Prancer won the Manitoba Derby and was second at Ruidoso. Edison won the Grade III Canadian Derby at Northlands Park in his last start. Unless Wildcat Red really shows something, this race may not impact the Breeders' Cup. But it should be an interesting affair in its own right.

Distaff

Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita features Beholder, who returns from a fourth-place finish in the Grade I Ogden Phipps at Belmont in June, where she sustained a pastern injury. She's been working well back home in California and is the heavy favorite against only five rivals in the 1 1/16-miles event, which offers a free pass to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Beholder, winner of seven of eight starts at Santa Anita, including last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff, is scheduled to be sold at Keeneland only days after this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships. The only credible threat -- at least on paper -- is Iotapa, who won the Grade I Vanity over the same track in June, then came back to win the Grade I Clement Hirsch on the all-weather at Del Mar nearly two months ago.

Stopchargingmaria takes takes on six older rivals in Saturday's $400,000, Grade I Beldame at Belmont Park, going 9 furlongs around one turn. The Tale of the Cat filly has won three straight races, including the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks and the Grade I Alabama. The opposition includes Fiftyshadesofhay and Stanwyck, who finished second and third behind Close Hatches in the Grade I Personal Ensign in their last starts, and Delaware Handicap winner Belle Gallantey.

Shannon Nicole heads a field of nine entered for Sunday's $200,000 Remington Park Oaks at 1 1/16 miles. She most recently won the Indiana Grand Stakes and earlier was third in the Grade III Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds. Bill Mott sends America, who finished third in the Grade I Mother Goose at Belmont before tailing off in two tries at Saratoga.

Turf Mile

The Breeders' Cup Mile took another punch this week with the announcement from England that Kingman has been retired as a result of a throat infection. Only a month ago, the race looked like the event of the year with Kingman, England's best miler; South African star Variety Club and U.S. Horse of the Year Wise Dan, among others. But Variety Club is done for the year -- and possibly for good -- as a result of what trainer Mike De Kock calls "a minor leg injury" and Kingman now is on to his second career. Wise Dan, himself recovering from colic surgery, is still on track for the Breeders' Cup Mile, a race he has won the two years running en route to dual Horse of the Year honors.

Turf

There are only six starters and five betting interests for Saturday's $600,000, Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park at 12 furlongs. But it's tough to know which way to turn in this Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event. Main Sequence has won both his starts this year for trainer Graham Motion -- the Grade I United Nations at Monmouth and the Grade I Sword Dancer at Saratoga. Big Blue Kitten comes off a close second in the Grade III Cliff Hanger at Monmouth and also was second in this event last year. Imagining won the Grade I Man o' War over the course in May and finished second to Main Sequence in the Sword Dancer. Twilight Eclipse was second in the United Nations and third in the Sword Dancer. Hangover Kid is not impossible here and Medal Count just missed in his last start at Kentucky Downs. Imagining looks like the only speed in the race and jockey Joel Rosario proved in the Man o' War that the 6-year-old son of Giant's Causeway can keep on running if he doesn't get any early pressure.

Reflecting and Under Control are the morning-line favorites for Saturday's $200,000 Laurel Turf Cup at 12 furlongs. Reflecting, a 5-year-old son of Elusive Quality, is trained by Shug McGaughey and comes from a second-place finish in the Yankee Affair Stakes at Belmont Park. Under Control, a 5-year-old Brazilian-bred, drew the outside gate in a field of 14 as he tries to improve on a second-place showing in the Japan Racing Association Stakes over the same grass.

Gentlemen's Kitten comes from a victory in the Cliff Guilliams Handicap at Ellis Park to take on eight rivals in Sunday's $100,000, 9-furlongs Remington Green at Remington Park. The 4-year-old Kitten's Joy colt had been more ambitiously placed earlier with only modest results. Among the others, Shining Copper won twice at Saratoga this summer.

Look for big things from Big Kick and Big John B in Sunday's big $200,000, Grade II John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita. It's 10 furlongs over the turf that will host the Breeders' Cup. Big Kick won the San Juan Capistrano over that course before faltering in the American St. Leger at Arlington. Big John B won the Grade II Del Mar Handicap in his last outing. Si Sage will make his second start back from a trip to Singapore. Irish Surf won the Grade III Cougar II Handicap before finishing up the track in the Grade I Pacific Classic on the Del Mar all-weather. Finnegan's Wake won the Grade II Arlington Handicap before finishing a credible fifth in the Grade I Arlington Million. Speaking of which, this race is named for the inaugural Arlington Million winner and the only two-time victor in that first $1 million Thoroughbred race.

Filly & Mare Turf

Wednesday's $200,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon proved so popular it was run in two 1 mile and 5/16-furlongs, $200,000 divisions. The first went to White Rose, who worked her way by pacesetting La Malaguena in the stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths over that one. Angegreen came from last of 11 to be third. White Rose, a 4-year-old Tapit filly, finished in 2:13.76 with Shaun Bridgmohan aboard. The second was won by Angel Terrace, who ran from far back to score by 1 1/2 lengths over I O Ireland, the early leader. The favorite, Tabreed, finished third. Angel Terrace, a 6-year-old Ghostzapper mare, got the distance in 2:12.24 with Florent Geroux up.

Saturday's $600,000, Grade I Flower Bowl at Belmont Park features some distaffers with something to prove and the ability to prove it. Stephanie's Kitten has been a close second in both her last races, the Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington and the Grade I Diana at Saratoa. Abaco and Strathnaver, the 1-2 finishers in the Grade II Ballston Spa, return for this one. Alterite was third in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf but has gone sour in two starts this year. Tannery was second in this race last year has struggled in the same races as Alterite this year. Viva Rafaela looks like the lone speed in this 10-furlongs Breeders' Cup qualifier.

Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita drew a field of 14 with no clear-cut favorite. To be considered are Moulin de Mougin, winner of the Grade II John C. Mabee in her last outing; Emollient, who has had some magnificent races but now comes off clunkers in the Grade I Diana at Saratoga and Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington; and Miss Serendipity, Parranda and Cozze Up Lady, the first three finishers in the Grade II Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar. Watch out for Queen of the Sand to be running best late. It's 1 1/4 miles with a free pass to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf to the winner.

A nicely balanced field of 14 is entered for Saturday's $100,000 Lady Baltimore Stakes at Laurel Park, going 1 1/16 miles on the grass. This looks like a tough one to pick so the rewards for success should be generous.

Turf Sprint

Dimension won a dramatic, four-way battle to the wire in Wednesday's $200,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Dash. The photo found Dimension, who rallied from mid-pack, a neck in front of Something Extra. Undrafted was another neck in arrears and just a nose better than the long shot pacesetter, Stormy Going. Dimension, a 6-year-old, British-bred Medicean gelding, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:17.16 with Chris Landeros up.

Unbridled's Note is an infrequent winner but he did finish fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Tuff Sprint and that should make him attractive in Friday's $100,000, Grade III Eddie D. Stakes at Santa Anita, about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill. He has not raced since February but has been working well at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen. Ambitious Brew has not missed the exacta in any of his seven starts, including the Sensational Star Stakes under the same conditions last time out. Pure Tactics won over the course and distance in June. Lil Bit O'Fun has won three straight while working up from the $40,000 claiming ranks last fall. Global Power and Home Run Kitten have run well against tougher foes.

Saturday's $75,000 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill, features Stars Above Me, a British import who was a sharp winner and dismal loser in two starts at Saratoga. On the Backstreets and Alexis Tangier both have won at this trip. Wonderfully ran in both the 1,000 Guineas and French 1,000 Guineas earlier this year but with not-so-wonderful results and is winless in two U.S. trips. Gender Agenda came from England to win going 1 mile on the Del Mar turf in his first local start. This could be an interesting prep for one of the most interesting races on the Breeders' Cup card.

Ben's Cat is the odds-on favorite among 10 in for Saturday's $100,000 Laurel Dash at 6 furlongs over the Maryland turf. The 8-year-old Parker's Storm Cat gelding is as feisty as ever, coming off a second-place finish in the Grade III Turf Monster at Parx. He's won this race two of the past three years and finished second in the other. Owner/trainer King Leatherbury has tried in the past to raise money to supplement Ben's Cat to the Breeders' Cup but it hasn't worked out.

The distaffers go 6 furlongs on the lawn in Saturday's $125,000 Jameela Stakes at Laurel Park. Last year's winner, Madame Giry, is the morning-line pick in an overflow field.

Dirt Mile

Itsmyluckyday preps for the Breeders' Cup Classic in Saturday's $400,000, Grade II Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park, even though the race is only a one-turn mile. The 4-year-old Lawyer Ron colt won the Grade I Woodward going 9 furlongs in his last outing and finished second to Moreno in the Grade I Whitney at that same trip two back. The six rivals are mostly confirmed sprint types, including Bradester, Vyjack and Capo Bastone. Golden Ticket bears watching in his second straight mile after struggling going longer. And River Rocks produced a 110 Beyer Speed Figure in his last start, going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga. The mile might be slightly beyond his range but he could burn out some rivals.

Heart to Heart and Spightsland are the morning-line picks in Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Jefferson Cup Stakes for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs. The one-turn mile drew eight entries. Heart to Heart won the Better Talk Now Stakes at Saratoga in his last race. Speightsland has run with credit at Woodbine. Also look for the Dale Romans-trained Hesinfront, who could be running late from the rear.

Sprint

Private Zone, last year's winner, returns in a speed-packed Saturday renewal of the $400,000, Grade I Vosburgh at Belmont Park. The 6-furlongs event is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event. Likely favorite Palace comes off two straight Grade I wins but drew the rail for the event, which as a short run into the sweeping Belmont Park turn. Zee Bros, Dads Caps, Happy My Way, Private Zone and Ribo Bobo all have an affinity for the lead while Palace often comes from just off the pace. So it will be up to jockey Corneleo Velasquez to work out a trip from the No. 1 slot.

Sunday's $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup is a tough heat with the likes of Alsvid, Ghost Is Clear, Wine Police, Okie Ride and Mico Margarita. It's 6 furlongs. Heitai makes only his second career start outside Louisiana after three straight wins. He's 6-for-7 so far this year.

Juvenile Fillies

An even dozen are in for Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita, going 1 1/16 miles in another Breeders' Cup qualifier. Sunset Glow, winner of the Del Mar Debutante, is not in this field, which leaves things pretty wide open. Angela Renee comes from New York, where she won at Belmont, finished second in the Grade II Adirondack at the Spa, then splashed home third in the sloppy Grade I Spinaway, beaten nearly 20 lengths. Another East Coast shipper, Sunday Sonnet, drew the rail and appears to have speed.

Juvenile

American Pharoah and Calculator finished 1-2 in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and return for Saturday's $300,000, Grade I FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita, a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In." It will be the first time on real dirt and the first time around two turns as they tackle 1 1/16 miles. Skyway finished a respectable third in the Grade III Bashford Manor on the Churchill Downs dirt and then won the Grade II Best Pal at Del Mar before finishing a distant fourth in the Del Mar Futurity. He turned in a bullet work at Santa Anita on Sept. 18. Daddy D T won the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf at Del Mar and tries dirt for the first time. There also are a couple of recent maiden winners in the 10-horse field.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Twelve misses are set to face the starter in Sunday's $200,000, Grade III Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park, going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Juvenile Turf

Sunday's $200,000, Grade III Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park got nine takers to try 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Cyclogenesis is the morning-line favorite among 10 for Saturday's $100,000 Laurel Futurity on the grass after a convincing win at 5 1/2 furlongs on the Saratoga greensward.

International

England

Ten are in for Saturday's Group 1 Connolly's Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Newmarket. Among them is Tiggy Wiggy, who has four wins and two seconds from six starts. The wins include the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. On the same card, the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes for 2-year-olds attracted just a half-dozen. They're tough to separate on limited results to day but Nafaqa and Elm Park seem suitable.

Australia

Lankan Rupee will need to avenge a season-opening defeat when he runs Friday night in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. He's the favorite in a short field but he also was favorite when he was beaten by Angelic Light in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes three weeks ago. The chief threat would be Buffering, who won the Moir two years ago and last year got home second.

News and Notes

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, Longines, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Monday the jockey with the best performance in the world's highest-rated races will be honored as the inaugural Longines World's Best Jockey on Dec. 12 in Hong Kong. Scoring will be based on performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade I races as established by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee, including races from Dec. 1 of the previous year through Nov. 30 of the current year. Jockeys earn 12 points for a win, 6 points for second and 4 points for third. Joseph O'Brien and Christophe Soumillon currently top the standings with 72 points each, followed by Ryan Moore, who has 70. Remaining races and past results for the year are at ifhaonline.org.

Talk about the mix of folks in horse racing. The second division of Wednesday's Kentucky Downs Ladies' Marathon brought together, among others: The China Horse Club, Bobby Flay, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Team Block and Augustin Stable. In the interests of space, we'll leave it to the reader to search each of those and decide if any other endeavor could have focused such divergent interests on the Kentucky-Tennessee border on a Wednesday afternoon in late September.