Road to the Breeders' Cup

ROAD TO

THE BREEDERS' CUP

Cup fever

by James Scully

Entries are released Wednesday as the Breeders' Cup in Texas

is less than two weeks away. A look at each race follows.

Classic

A near full field is expected for the Classic (G1) and the top

two betting choices are likely defending winner PLEASANTLY

PERFECT (Pleasant Colony) and GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again), who is

unbeaten from three 2004 starts. Pleasantly Perfect is much more

of an off-the-pace runner and will train into the Breeders' Cup

for Richard Mandella off a victory in Pacific Classic (G1) 69

days ago. Four-time Classic hero Jerry Bailey has the mount.

Ghostzapper can race close to the pace, as he did winning his

final prep in the Woodward S. (G1), or close from farther back.

He's never been 1 1/4 miles, but his sire captured the 1998

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The four-year-old has been training

well at Belmont Park for Bobby Frankel.

The defection of front-running Saint Liam (Saint Ballado)

leaves ROSES IN MAY (Devil His Due) as the possible lone speed in

the Classic. AZERI (Jade Hunter) would be a serious pace factor

as well, but she appears more likely to run in the Distaff (G1).

Roses in May has never been 1 1/4 miles, but he does own

excellent form, winning all five starts in 2004, including the

Whitney H. (G1).

FUNNY CIDE (Distorted Humor) heads the second tier of

contenders and must be respected off a win in the 1 1/4-mile

Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). The competition can be questioned last

time, but the dual classic winner is hitting his best stride

right now for trainer Barclay Tagg, recording a 113 BRIS Speed

rating in the Jockey Club, and will have no trouble with the

Classic distance.

Belmont S. (G1) victor BIRDSTONE (Grindstone) turned in a

resounding performance to capture the Travers (G1) by 2 1/2

lengths and now trains into the Classic off a lengthy rest for

Nick Zito. He's the top three-year-old contender this year and

can be placed anywhere in the early running by Edgar Prado.

Birdstone will deserve Horse of the Year honors if he can earn

his first stakes victory outside New York in the Breeders' Cup

Classic.

The late-running PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer) is always a threat

to run past all but looks more likely to challenge for second or

third instead of the win. Another exotics contender with an upset

shot is DYNEVER (Dynaformer), who showed a preference for the

track with a victory in last year's Lone Star Derby (G3). He'll

need to improve upon a 101 Speed rating from his last outing, a

runner-up finish in the Meadowlands Breeders' Cup (G2).

A mystery horse is PERSONAL RUSH (Wild Rush), who will make

his U.S. bow off a nine-length score in a Grade 1 dirt race in

Japan. The best dirt horse in Japan figures to be overmatched in

the Breeders' Cup Classic, but nobody knows how the improving

Personal Rush will perform.

Turf

The Turf (G1) will mostly be comprised of North American-based

runners, but Aidan O'Brien is expected to run Arlington Million (G1)

first-place finisher POWERSCOURT (GB) (Sadler's Wells) (placed

fourth via DQ) and the connections of OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape

Cross [Ire]) said they would cross-enter the multiple classic

winner to both the Turf and Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The three-year-old

filly showed her ability to compete at the highest level against

males with a stellar third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1)

last out.

MAGISTRETTI (Diesis [GB]) is another with European form, but

he's been a much better performer since arriving America during

the summer. Now trained by Patrick Biancone, the four-year-old

colt finished well for third (placed second via DQ) in the

Arlington Million and then displayed a dynamic turn of foot to

capture the Man o' War S. (G1). Magistretti will try to improve

upon a runner-up finish in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1).

KITTEN'S JOY (El Prado [Ire]) will likely go favored in the

Turf off his 2 1/2-length victory in the Joe Hirsch and has

developed into a phenomenal runner this season for conditioner

Dale Romans. A winner of three straight turf stakes over

sophomore rivals earlier this year, the chestnut colt suffered

his only career setback on grass when finishing second by a head

in June's Jefferson Cup (G3) at Churchill Downs. Since then,

Kitten's Joy has been unbeatable, recording outstanding

performances in the Virginia Derby (G3), Secretariat (G1) and Joe

Hirsch. Those easy wins earned his BRIS Speed ratings of 108, 110

and 110, respectively, as well as BRIS Late Pace figures as high

as 128.

Kitten's Joy looks very special.

Other hopefuls include the front-running BALTO STAR (Glitterman),

who will bring commendable form into the Turf off a victory in

the Meadowlands Cup; STAR OF THE BAY (Cozzene), who was claimed

for $80,000 in May and has developed into the best turf route

runner on the West Coast for trainer Mike Mitchell with victories

in the Clement Hirsch (G1), Del Mar H. (G2) and Sunset H. (G2) in

his last three outings; and MUSTANFAR (Unbridled), an improving

three-year-old who put it all together last time for a three-length

score in the 12-furlong Sycamore Breeders' Cup (G3) and may

continue to show more against better turf horses for Kiaran

McLaughlin.

Distaff

Azeri will be a heavy choice here, but she hasn't scared away

the competition. At least 10 other fillies and mares are lining

up to tackle the 2002 Horse of the Year, who would enter the

Distaff off a sparkling three-length tally in the Spinster S. (G1).

ASHADO (Saint Ballado) recorded major wins in the Kentucky

Oaks (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and tuned up for

the Distaff with a sharp 2 3/4-length score in the Cotillion H. (G2),

earning a 105 BRIS Speed figure. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly

posted a fast work at Belmont on Monday in preparation.

STORM FLAG FLYING (Storm Cat) was taken out of her game

chasing a slow pace in the Beldame S. (G1) last out and could be

much more effective reverting to rating tactics at Lone Star Park.

TAMWEEL (Gulch) and ELLOLUV (Gilded Time) should help ensure a

realistic early pace along with Azeri in the 1 1/8-mile Distaff.

Another possibility is the classy NEBRASKA TORNADO (Storm Cat),

who is expected to be cross-entered to the Distaff and Filly

& Mare Turf (G1). The four-year-old filly has never raced on

dirt, but she's tackled top class company all season, including

males on multiple occasions, and could be a serious factor in the

Distaff if she takes to the main track in Texas.

Two other top-class fillies worth mentioning are ISLAND

FASHION (Petionville) and SOCIETY SELECTION (Coronado's Quest).

The former reeled off victories in the Santa Monica (G1) and La

Brea (G1) over the winter and then bounced back from an overseas

summer trip to captured the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup H. (G2)

in fine fashion last time. Society Selection reeled off excellent

wins in the Alabama (G1) and Test S. (G1) at Saratoga and was

taken out of her element like Storm Flag Flying in the Beldame

most recently. The Allen Jerkens-trained three-year-old will be

running from off the pace at Lone Star.

Mile

The Mile (G1) will likely have the most international flavor

with at least three or four Europeans expected to enter. More

than the allowed 14 are expected to oversubscribe, including

defending champion SIX PERFECTIONS (Fr) (Celtic Swing). The four-year-old

filly is winless from three starts this season, but all came

against males in top-class Group 1 events and she turned in fine

runs to place second on two occasions. She's one of the top

contenders.

The U.S. contingent includes NOTHING TO LOSE (Sky Classic),

who has really come on for Bobby Frankel with victories in the

Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and Fourstardave H. (G2) in his last two

starts, and MR O'BRIEN (Ire) (Mukaddamah), who earned a

supplemental berth with a fine win in the Kelso Breeders' Cup H.

(G2) recently.

The Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (G2) has been a Mile influence

before and will produce a couple of contenders this year in

MUSICAL CHIMES (In Excess [Ire]) and SINGLETARY (Sultry Song).

The former is a top-notch four-year-old lass trained by Neil

Drysdale who is peaking at the right time. Singletary needed the

Oak Tree off a lengthy layoff and just missed with a stiff late

rally. He may continue to show more at Lone Star.

A couple of other Californians to consider are SPECIAL RING (Nureyev)

and BLACKDOUN (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]), both trained by two-time Mile

winner Julio Canani. The former, who will make his second start

of 2004 off a 97-day hiatus, runs well fresh, having captured the

Eddie Read H. (G1) off a lengthy layoff last time, and looms a

legitimate wire-to-wire threat. Blackdoun covers the bases for

Canani with his off-the-pace running style. The French import

closed powerfully to capture the Del Mar Derby (G2), La Jolla H.

(G2) and Oceanside S. at Del Mar in his first three U.S.

appearances and could transfer his form to the big stage.

WHIPPER (Miesque's Son), who edged Six Perfections when

capturing the Prix Morny (Fr-G1) in August, is being considered

for a Mile attempt by conditioner Robert Collet, and Aidan

O'Brien could send a runner in ANTONIUS PIUS (Danzig), who placed

in a couple of prestigious mile events this year in England and

France.

ARTIE SCHILLER (El Prado [Ire]) is another intriguing prospect.

He's displayed tremendous form on the grass this season for

trainer James Jerkens but will have to step up and face older

rivals for the first time at Lone Star.

Sprint

The Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is the division's biggest event

by far and should be the most important race in deciding each

year's champion. The connections of one decent sprinter have

chosen not to show up for this year's Sprint, but the Eclipse

Award is still up for grabs if either OUR NEW RECRUIT (Alphabet

Soup) or SPEIGHTSTOWN (Gone West) can prove best at Lone Star.

The John Sadler-trained Our New Recruit recorded a superb win

in the $2 million Golden Shaheen S. (UAE-G1) earlier this year

and returned to action in September with a victory in the

Pirate's Bounty S. at Del Mar. He's the nation's best sprinter if

he wins the biggest event.

Speightstown opened this year with victories in the Artax H.,

Churchill Downs H. (G2), True North Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and A.G.

Vanderbilt H. (G2), earning Speed ratings of 112, 113 and 111.

The East Coast's top sprinter suffered his first setback in

almost 18 months when finishing third in the Vosburgh S. (G1),

but he can make amends for one sub-par performance in the

Breeders' Cup.

Bobby Frankel has a pair of solid contenders in MIDAS EYES (Touch

Gold) and CAJUN BEAT (Grand Slam). The former returned from a

freshening to score a runaway allowance win at Saratoga and then

captured the Forego H. (G1) in commanding fashion last out. Cajun

Beat took last year's Sprint at Santa Anita and was turned over

to Frankel this season. The four-year-old needed his effort in

the Vosburgh and could show more in his second start back off the

layoff.

KELA (Numerous) is a stakes winner over the Texas track and

raised his game this year for trainer Mike Mitchell with

victories in the Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup H. (G1) and Pat

O'Brien Breeders' Cup H. (G2). The six-year-old will be a fresh

and dangerous contestant. Another formidable late runner is CLOCK

STOPPER (Gilded Time), who is winless from his last four stakes

appearances but got part while rallying to be close each time.

He's the type who could finally put it all together for

conditioner Dallas Stewart.

Filly & Mare Turf

The Filly & Mare Turf (G1) figures to be in flux until

final entries are drawn next Wednesday. The connections of Ouija

Board and Nebraska Tornado have announced their intentions to

cross-enter to other races, with the Filly & Mare Turf as the

second preference for both.

Ouija Board looks like a heavy favorite if she elects to face

her own kind. Winner of the English (Eng-G1) and Irish Oaks (Ire-G1),

the highly touted sophomore filly turned in an outstanding

performance in the Arc, rallying to be beaten only 1 1/2 lengths

in third. She's a threat for the Turf and a possible standout in

the Filly & Mare Turf.

Nebraska Tornado is considering the Distaff and will be tested

for distance over 1 3/8 miles in the Filly & Mare Turf. The

Andre Fabre trainee is a listed winner at 10 furlongs, but she's

proven more adept at shorter routes.

Another European expected to make the trip is YESTERDAY (Ire)

(Sadler's Wells), who finished third to Islington (Ire) last year.

The four-year-old miss remains a danger to find her form again,

but she's unplaced from two attempts this year.

LIGHT JIG (GB) (Danehill) will vie for favoritism if Ouija

Board does not run. Winner of the Beverly Hills H. (G2) in June,

the Frankel-conditioned four-year-old displayed an explosive turn

of foot to open up on her rivals in the stretch of the Yellow

Ribbon (G1) in her final prep.

Grade 1 queens WONDER AGAIN (Silver Hawk) and RISKAVERSE (Dynaformer)

will represent New York-based outfits and each has the class to

be a serious factor in the Filly & Mare Turf. STAY FOREVER (Stack)

and SUPER BRAND (SAf) (Royal Chalice) will each bring commendable

form into the Breeders' Cup off a 1-2 finish in the WinStar

Galaxy S. (G2) at Keeneland.

Juvenile

One of the smaller fields is expected for the Juvenile (G1),

including the top three finishers from the Champagne S. (G1) -

PROUD ACCOLADE (Yes It's True), AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) and

SUN KING (Charismatic). They could run 1-2-3 in any order on

October 30.

Proud Accolade was highly impressive earning a 108 Speed

rating for his half-length score over Afleet Alex in his stakes

bow. An easy maiden and allowance winner at Saratoga, the

unbeaten colt was kept wide throughout the Champagne and

displayed awesome push-button acceleration to make the lead while

getting a 111 Late Pace figure. There's room for improvement.

Afleet Alex showed his class winning the Hopeful (G1) and ran

boldly from off the pace for second in the Champagne. He could

capitalize on a heated early pace in the Juvenile. Sun King raced

closer to the pace than expected and held well for third in his

stakes bow. Look for him to be farther back early at Lone Star

and the added seasoning from the Champagne could lead to a

shining performance.

ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) is suddenly an enigma for the

Juvenile. Jockey Corey Nakatani was talking Triple Crown

following the dark bay colt's seven-length score in the 6 1/2-furlong

Best Pal S. (G2), but the Bob Baffert charge suffered his first

career defeat in his next start (an excellent runner-up in the

Del Mar Futurity [G2]) and then turned in a lackluster

performance through the stretch when making his first two-turn

appearance in the Norfolk S. (G2). His 95 Speed rating was a

major regression.

His last race will send clear signals to some observers, but

Roman Ruler still owns tremendous potential and is a candidate to

bounce back strong for Baffert.

Breeders' Futurity (G1) hero CONSOLIDATOR (Storm Cat) is

another leading contender. The chestnut colt earned his first

stakes victory with a sharp two-length decision at Keeneland last

out and is trained by five-time Juvenile winner D. Wayne Lukas.

Juvenile Fillies

SWEET CATOMINE (Storm Cat) is the probable favorite for the

Juvenile Fillies (G1) on the basis of her wins in the Oak Leaf (G2)

and Del Mar Debutante (G1). A confirmed closer, the Julio Canani

trainee was a marvelous four-length winner of the Oak Leaf in her

first attempt at two turns.

Grade 1 heroine SENSE OF STYLE (Thunder Gulch) was the early

leader in this division but suffered her first setback when

finishing fifth in the Alcibiades (G2) last time out. The

Biancone-trained lass was bottled up through the far turn and

into the stretch before spitting the bit on that afternoon and is

a candidate to bounce back in style.

RUNWAY MODEL (Petionville) comes off a fine win in the

Alcibiades and the narrow runner-up, SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band),

was making only her second career start there. Trained by Doug

O'Neill, Sharp Lisa is eligible to keep showing more at Lone Star.

BALLETTO (UAE) (Timber Country) rallied well to finish second

to Sense of Style in the Matron (G1) and then demonstrated

another formidable late kick to capture the Frizette (G1) most

recently. She's won three of four starts for Tom Albertrani.

READY'S GAL (More Than Ready) suffered her first loss when

finishing a commendable second in the Frizette and is threat for

Pletcher in the Juvenile Fillies.