BREEDERS' CUP PREVIEWS

Multiple Group 1 hero MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) is the one to beat in the Dirt Mile (G1), but the three-year-old could leave himself plenty to do in the stretch. We'll try to beat him with MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's Song), who registered a front-running victory in the 2008 Juvenile (G1) over the Pro-Ride and looks like the lone speed here. The chestnut earned a 111 BRIS Late Pace rating in last year's Juvenile win, and the Saeed bin Suroor trainee received a good prep for the 2009 Breeders' Cup when capturing a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claiming event at Belmont Park on September 18, drawing clear in deep stretch to a 3 1/4-length score. He's well drawn in post 3 with Garrett Gomez, who should be essentially rating on the front end before asking for the classy colt's best.

Mastercraftsman figures to come rolling late, but we're concerned that he will drop too far back during the early stages from his rail post. He's been competing at much longer distances recently, going 1 5/16 miles twice and 1 1/4 miles once in his last three starts, and the confirmed router was second by a length to Sea the Stars in the about 10-furlong Juddmonte International (Eng-G1) three back. The Aidan O'Brien runner still looks extremely formidable, but we'll try to beat the likely odds-on favorite on the extreme cut back.

READY'S ECHO (More Than Ready) is an attractive 20-1 on the morning line and could come flying late for a minor award. The pace scenario doesn't flatter the Todd Pletcher colt, but he's shown that he can close effectively late off of a slow pace. He's going well presently, placing in his last three starts versus graded rivals, and owns a commendable 3-1-2-0 mark on synthetics. Consider the improving four-year-old for the top three.

NEKO BAY (Giant's Causeway) looks like a possible exotics player at long odds. The six-year-old shows huge BRIS Late Pace numbers (118 and 113 in last two starts), but he's started only once this season, winning a one-mile allowance at Oak Tree on October 9. We're not sure he'll be fit enough to handle this class hike, but we like the way he's training for John Shirreffs and will include him in our exotics.

BULLSBAY (Tiznow) didn't fire over the Cushion Track in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) this summer, but the Graham Motion-trained horse has had success over synthetic ovals in the past. Dirt is still his preferred surface, though, and the Whitney H. (G1) winner probably prefers a little more ground than eight furlongs. However, the five-year-old still merits respect based on his BRIS Class and Speed numbers, and we won't be surprised to see him grab a minor award.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) is a hard-knocking colt for Jerry Hollendorfer who should appreciate the cut back to a mile, but he's never had much success against top-class rivals and isn't well-drawn in post 9. We can't recommend his chances. PYRO (Pulpit) exits a victory in the Forego (G1) and would loom as a serious contender if this race was on real dirt, but he's run poorly in two previous efforts on synthetics and looks vulnerable to us here.

Grade 1 winner MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat) looks more comfortable on turf, dropping his only previous synthetic start versus allowance rivals, and has class concerns as well. FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike) rallied to a solid win in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) last time, but he's probably not fast enough to handle this class hike. MAMBO MEISTER (King Cugat) has never started over a synthetic oval, and the Calder shipper could find this company too difficult.