BC Saturday: Stars Come Out in Lexington

Whether it's while passing through the terminals at Blue Grass Airport, navigating through downtown Lexington, or even tuning into the local evening news, the message is loud and clear: Keeneland is ready to put on a show to remember for the 2015 Breeders' Cup.

Well before the main event goes off at 5:35 p.m. Saturday evening featuring Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneer of the Nile) and supermare Beholder (Henny Hughes), there are plenty of appetizers to feast on during the two-day event.

A pair of unbeaten fillies and 'TDN Rising Stars' Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) and Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini) will square off in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies while a quartet of Grade I winners, including ultra-impressive GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway), are set to do battle in the male equivalent.

Three horses will be back to defend their titles from 2014: GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper); GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby's Kitten (Kitten's Joy); and GI Breeders' Cup Mile upsetter Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein), respectively.

The Europeans seem to have a stranglehold on Saturday's grass events, led by the imposing G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf and three-time Group 1 victress Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

With no shortage of speed signed on, something has to give in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, right? The sensational sophomore Runhappy (Super Saver) and the unwavering Private Zone (Macho Uno) are the headliners there.

Friday's card, headed by the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, also features intriguing renewals of the juvenile grass races and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Click here for Friday's Breeders' Cup preview edition. –Steve Sherack

CLASSIC

The Breeders' Cup Classic already had plenty of mystique with the expected presence of its first Triple Crown winner, but the hype went into overdrive with Beholder (Henny Hughes)'s romping victory in the Aug. 22 GI Pacific Classic. Racing fans immediately began speculating on the results of a match-up between the superstar mare and American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). Enthusiasm was tempered somewhat by American Pharoah's runner-up effort behind Keen Ice (Curlin) in the Aug. 29 GI Travers S. and, more recently, by news that Beholder missed two days of training with a fever after shipping into Lexington last week. But with both setbacks seemingly behind them, excitement is building for what could be a Classic for the ages.

American Pharoah | Sarah K Andrew

Beholder, looking to become the first horse to win Breeders' Cup races in three divisions, captured the GI Juvenile Fillies in 2012 and the GI Distaff in 2013. Illness forced her out of the 2014 Distaff, but she has returned better than ever in 2015. Her effortless 7 1/2-length romp in the Aug. 1 GI Clement L. Hirsch led connections to take on the boys in the Pacific Classic. She proved more than up to the challenge–of both the boys and the 1 1/4-mile distance. She prepped for the Breeders' Cup with another flawless performance, winning her third straight GI Zenyatta S. Sept. 26.

While the 5-year-old mare looks to be at the top of her game, her biggest question mark could be the out-of-town engagement. Both of her previous Breeders' Cup victories came at Santa Anita. And while she is virtually unbeatable in California, she has rarely taken her show on the road. Her last loss was a fourth-place effort in the 2014 GI Ogden Phipps S. at Belmont Park.

American Pharoah looked unbeatable through his historic march through the Triple Crown this past spring. He only added to his air of invincibility with a geared-down victory in the Aug. 2 GI Haskell Invitational. And while he put up a valiant effort in the Travers, he looked a tired horse coming down the Saratoga stretch and retirement rumors were in the air. Shipped back to trainer Bob Baffert's California base and given time to re-group, the Zayat Stables homebred has impressed morning watchers at Santa Anita. Most recently, American Pharoah drew rave reviews for his penultimate work at Santa Anita, a brilliant six-furlong move in 1:10 4/5 (video).

While clearly a horse of tremendous ability, you have to wonder if American Pharoah has lost his edge after a strenuous campaign and if he will be ready for his 'A' effort in his first start in two months.

Honor Code (A.P. Indy) is another Classic contender who has earned plenty of praise after recent works. After the GI Whitney H. winner went five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Oct. 12, trainer Shug McGaughey said it was the best he had worked all summer. A week later came a bullet five furlongs in :58 1/5 and he put the final touches on his Classic preparations with a bullet four furlongs in :48.00 at Belmont Monday.

Distance limitation questions have repeatedly dogged Honor Code throughout his career and a narrow victory over a tiring Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song) in the Aug. 8 Whitney only slightly dimmed those concerns. He has never raced past nine furlongs and comes into the Classic off a less-than-inspiring third-place finish in the Oct. 3 GII Kelso H.

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Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is another in the mold of Coolmore's Giant's Causeway, who nearly took home all the money while making his first start on dirt in the 2001 Classic. The Aidan O'Brien trainee, whose multiple group winning dam is a full-sister to Giant's Causeway, had a string of five straight Group 1 victories interrupted by a sixth-place effort over unsuitably easy ground in the Oct. 17 G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot. The bay colt's sophomore season has already included wins in the May 2 G1 English 2000 Guineas, May 23 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and June 16 G1 St James's Palace S. Gleaneagles faces a tough task in his first start on dirt and first try over a mile, but it's always dangerous to dismiss the sneaky O'Brien.

TURF

Since English Channel (Smart Strike) defeated a field including G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) over a Monmouth turf course that was pelted by torrential rains in 2007, European-based horses have won five of the last seven runnings of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, with Little Mike (Spanish Steps) and Main Sequence (Aldebaran) landing two blows for America in 2012 and 2014, respectively. While the Keeneland turf course may well not be nearly as bottomless as it was that stormy weekend at the Jersey Shore, there will be plenty of juice in the ground and that could play a significant role in the performance of reigning Arc hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

Golden Horn | Keeneland/Coady

Winner of York's G2 Dante S. over an extended 10-furlong trip May 14, the bay proved he could stay this distance with a smashing 3 1/2-length defeat of stable companion Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) in the G1 Investec Derby at Epsom June 6. With just five runners signed on for the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. at Sandown July 4, Golden Horn was forced to make the running, but turned back a bid from The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and went on to score by 3 1/2 lengths. Despite overracing in the early stages of the G1 Juddmonte International at York Aug. 19, he had every chance in the final furlong, but was surprisingly outfinished by 50-1 Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), then was allowed to keep the G1 Irish Champion S. Sept. 12 after finishing a length to the good of Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) despite interfering with Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). He was given a peach of a ride by Frankie Dettori in the Arc, staying on strongly for a two-length defeat of 2014 Turf runner-up Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who bypasses this year's renewal. Connections would prefer the ground to be no worse than yielding, but that is an outcome that is not sure to happen at this point.

Found makes her eighth start since May, third since the Irish Champion S. seven weeks ago and second in three weeks. Owned by the Coolmore partnership, successful four times in the Turf since 2002, the bay has but one victory to show for her busy campaign, a four-length defeat of the boys in the G3 Royal Whip S. at The Curragh Aug. 23. She was beaten five lengths into ninth in the Arc without ever menacing Golden Horn and was most recently runner-up in the G1 QIPCO British Champion S. Oct. 17. While no Arc winner has doubled up in the Turf, also-rans have fared better, with the likes of Daylami (Ire), Shirocco (Ger) and St Nicholas Abbey (Ire) having scored.

Stablemates Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and Slumber (GB) (Dansili {GB}) are the elder statesmen of this field as North American 7-year-olds and a case can be made for either, if the Euros were to stub their toe. A one-time claimer, Big Blue Kitten has matured into one of this country's most consistent middle-distance turfers and has Grade I wins this season in the United Nations S. and GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic around a runner-up effort to The Pizza Man (English Channel) in the GI Arlington Million. The ridgling has handled an off turf on several occasions and will give journeyman jockey Joe Bravo a legitimate chance for a first Breeders' Cup success. Slumber closed off well to chop the winning margin down to 3/4 of a length in the Turf Classic, but he did not handle yielding Arlington turf at all in the Million, finishing eighth as the 3-1 favorite.

The Pizza Man will try to give his owners an Illinois-bred Breeders' Cup winner for the second straight season. The homebred is arguably in career form, and followed his neck defeat of Big Blue Kitten with an explosive finish in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 3 that saw him miss by a head to Grand Arch (Arch).

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While he will not be loose on the lead as he was when a near-miss second in the GIII Knickerbocker S. Oct. 10, Cage Fighter (Closing Argument) is another who has displayed the ability to handle rain-affected turf, as evidenced by his 1 3/4-length score in the PTHA President's Cup at Parx Racing in September. This is clearly his biggest test to date, but if some of the others struggle, he is not impossible for a small piece.

FILLY & MARE TURF

In the 16-year history of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, just three times have sophomore fillies been able to take down the colors of their older rivals (Banks Hill {GB}, 2001; Ouija Board {GB}, 2004; and Midday {GB}, 2009). Fully a third of the 12 horses set to face the starter Saturday hail from that generation and will try to add their names to that exclusive list.

Legatissimo | Racing Post

Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is the 8-5 favorite on Mike Battaglia's morning line, though with the quality of horseflesh lined up against her, it would not surprise to see that price drift up. The bay, a 350,000gns Tattersalls October purchase in 2013, returned odds of 13-2 in taking the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas in May, then endured two very tough defeats, going down by a nose in the G1 Investec Oaks when trying 12 furlongs for the first time around Epsom June 5 and in the G1 Pretty Polly S. June 28 when she was held up for a run. Wayne Lordan was in the saddle for her last two, facile victories in Goodwood's G1 Nassau S. traveling 10 panels Aug. 1 and in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 12 despite a wide passage.

Those unwilling to swallow the skinny price about the favorite have another playable 3-year-old filly in the form of the Wertheimer Brothers' Queen's Jewel (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). The homebred, unraced at two, made an immediate impression this season, with a maiden win, a handy score in the G3 Prix Penelope and a highly impressive success in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary at Saint-Cloud May 24. Favored at 8-5 in the G1 Prix de Diane over the extended 10 furlongs, the chestnut flashed little of her previous brilliance and struggled home 11th, though beaten under five lengths, and was sidelined. Favored at 7-2 in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on the Arc undercard despite a 112-day absence, she ran like a filly in need of the run when ninth, 4 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). Lasix goes on for this try and, notably, Maxime Guyon appears to have chosen her over a few of the other French-based rivals that show up against her.

Sheep Pond Partners experienced the highs the Breeders' Cup has to offer when Lady Eli (Divine Park) took out last year's GI BC Juvenile Fillies Turf and the group is back for more glory with the Chilean import Dacita (Chi) (Scat Daddy). The supremely easy winner of the G1 Clasico Las Oaks (with blinkers on, it should be noted) after racing handy to the pace, the chestnut was better than a 7-1 chance for her stateside debut in the GII Ballston Spa S. at Saratoga Aug. 29 and found herself with six rivals to run down with a furlong to race, but swamped each one of them and tagged Tepin (Bernstein) in the final jump. She is potentially as talented as any of her F/M Turf rivals, but she has never raced on the type of ground she will encounter Saturday. Chad Brown and Javier Castellano have teamed to win two of the last three runnings of the F/M Turf.

Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) makes her final career start prior to selling at Fasig-Tipton Sunday. Winner of the GII BC Juvenile Fillies Turf back in 2011, the homebred was runner-up to stable companion Dayatthespa (City Zip) in last year's edition of this race and has rounded into shape late this season. Third, but placed second behind Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}) after the incident involving Secret Gesture (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Beverly D. S. Aug. 15, she sat a beautiful trip in a soft-ground renewal of the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. Oct. 3 and came away to an easy 1 1/2-length tally.

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Another 3-year-old with a rough/exotics chance is Godolphin's Sentiero Italia (Medaglia d'Oro). Impressive winner of the GII Lake Placid S. and the GII Sands Point S., the homebred was always off the track and did well to be third from a high draw in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup over this course Oct. 10. Joel Rosario should be able to work out a much better trip here from stall two.

MILE

Baron Rothschild's Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) stands at the forefront of the 2015 $2-million GI Breeders' Cup Mile discussion and she leads a strong European contingent to Keeneland on Halloween.

Esoterique | Racing Post

Classic-placed behind French juvenile filly highweight and 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas), the 5-year-old is in fine form and enters on the back of a soft-ground score in the Aug. 16 G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, defeating Flaxman Holdings' 2014 GI Breeders' Cup Mile champ Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) into third at Deauville Aug. 16. She has a last-out victory in the G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket Oct. 3. Esoterique began her season with a third–conceding seven pounds–to GI Filly & Mare Turf entrant Bawina (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Prix du Muguet May 1 prior to a pair of narrow runner-up performances–first to probable European champion miler Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne S. and then to likely European champion sprinter Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville Aug. 9.

The European Classic generation is represented by G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) hero Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}), who captured that Longchamp fixture this May before making the early running in Royal Ascot's G1 St. James Palace S. June 16 and tiring to fifth behind English and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who will line up in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic later on the card. Returned to France, Prince Faisal's colt tuned up for this with a win in the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret on Arc Day, Oct. 4.

The lightly raced Impassable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) steps up to the highest level for the first time following back-to-back victories in Chantilly's G2 Prix de Sandringham May 31 and the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp Oct. 3.

Juddmonte's G2 Shadwell Joel S. winner Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), another making his first foray at the Grade I level, could make some noise from the Roger Charlton barn.

Representing North America is Jim and Susan Hill's Grand Arch (Arch), who defeated The Pizza Man (English Channel) and Gary Barber and WinStar Farm's Tourist (Tiznow) over course-and-distance in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile S. at Keeneland Oct. 3. The 6-year-old gelding, 11th in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile, added the GII Fourstardave H. over Al Shaqab Racing's GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. victor Mshawish (Medaglia d'Oro) at Saratoga Aug. 15.

Trying males for the first time is Robert Masterson's Tepin (Bernstein), who is only a nose and a head away from a six-for-six season. Winner of the GI Longines Just A Game S. going this trip at Belmont in June , the bay missed by a nose in the GI Diana S. upstate July 25 and by a head in the GII Ketel One Ballston Spa S. there Aug. 29. She crushed fellow fillies and mares by seven lengths in Keeneland's one mile GI First Lady S. over soft ground Oct. 3.

Geoff and Sandra Turnbull's rapidly improving European raider Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) captured the Sept. 13 Ricoh Woodbine Mile defeating Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's 2014 GI Maker's 46 Mile S. victor Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) into third, and could also have a say in the outcome.

JUVENILE

With a powerful late-running win over course and distance in the Oct. 3 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and an ideal post draw in the center of an oversubscribed field, it's hard to fault anyone who asserts that the GI Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile is Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway)'s race to lose.

The bay was a well-beaten eighth in his career debut over the turf at Ellis Park but has done no wrong in two ensuing starts on dirt, notching a last-to-first graduation over a mile at Churchill Sept. 11 before his triumph in Lexington earlier this month. Conditioned by Dale Romans for Albaugh Family Stable, the $350,000 Keeneland September yearling has trained steadily at Churchill Downs ahead of Saturday's engagement.

Nyquist | Benoit photo

Installed at morning-line odds of 7-2, Brody's Cause is expected to vie for favoritism with challengers from each coast, including Reddam Racing LLC's undefeated Nyquist (Uncle Mo). The California invader, a debut winner at Santa Anita in June, captured the GII Best Pal S. and GI Del Mar Futurity this summer and recently added a hard-fought score in the GI FrontRunner S. in his first try around two turns in Arcadia Sept. 26. Despite his unblemished docket, the bay has produced regressing Beyer Speed Figures in each of his last two starts and will likely need to take a step forward to match the ability of his chief competitors while burdened with the daunting task of navigating a successful trip from post 13.

Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini) owns the highest last-out Beyer, having earned a 94 for his runaway victory in the slop in Belmont's GI Champagne S. Oct. 3. The imposing dark bay missed by a neck when runner-up on debut at Saratoga July 25 and found himself on the winning end of a photo finish at the Spa Sept. 5. The well-related colt is a full-brother to GSW Algorithms and a half-brother to GISW Justin Phillip (First Samurai), MGSW Keyed Entry (Honour and Glory) and GSW Successful Mission (Successful Appeal). If he is able to repeat his latest effort over an expected fast main track, Greenpointcrusader looms as a viable alternative to Brody's Cause.

Trainer Keith Desormeaux sent out Texas Red (Afleet Alex) to victory in the 2014 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile off a loss in this final prep and has two shots to follow that same pattern in this year's renewal with Big Chief Racing LLC's Exaggerator (Curlin) and Swipe (Birdstone). The latter finished second behind Nyquist in all three of that rival's stakes triumphs but has been inching closer as the race distances have increased, including a recent 3/4-length defeat after racing in tight quarters in the FrontRunner. Meanwhile, Exaggerator, who shipped east to annex the 6 1/2-furlong GII Saratoga Special Aug. 16, was last seen completing the exacta behind Brody's Cause in the Breeders' Futurity. The dark bay seized command at the head of the lane but was caught in deep stretch. Both of Desormeaux's colts can be expected to improve with experience in their second try at a route distance.

If Brody's Cause is a common reference point for many of the Juvenile entrants, a compelling case can be made for Conquest Stables' Conquest Big E (Tapit). The $700,000 KEESEP yearling purchase encountered a troubled start in his one-mile debut at Churchill and reported home second best, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths by Brody's Cause. Much sharper in his second start, the gray recently graduated over trip and track Oct. 2–an effort that was good enough to earn him a spot in the starting gate in this ambitious spot.

Richard Ravin and Vincent Foglia's Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) turned heads in his first two starts in sprints, including a score in the lucrative Tremont S. at Belmont in June. The bay went off form in two appearances following that effort but returned to his winning ways last out with a two-length victory in the GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs Sept. 12.

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This year's Juvenile also features two colts who have yet to prove their ability over a conventional dirt surface. It came as a shock to many when Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}), recent winner of the grassy GIII Pilgrim S., was entered in this event rather than the GI Juvenile Turf. Conditioned by George Weaver for owner Matt Schera, the dark bay was fourth on debut in his lone start over the main track. North of the border, Riker (Include) recently led wire-to-wire to capture the GIII Grey S. in his fourth win in as many starts over the all-weather track at Woodbine. He figures to be prominent on or near the early lead if he breaks cleanly.

Interestingly, two of the aforementioned headliners in the Juvenile will be joined in the starting gate by commonly owned and trained stablemates, as GI Hopeful S. winner Ralis (Square Eddie) goes out for O'Neill and Reddam while Iroquois third-place finisher Unbridled Outlaw (Unbridled's Song) will carry the Albaugh Family colors for Romans.

JUVENILE FILLIES

While there are several very capable horses signed on here, the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies looks like it will be a showdown between undefeated “TDN Rising Stars” Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini) and Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro).

TDN Rising Star Songbird | Benoit

Todd Pletcher, who has never won this test, saddles the royally bred Rachel's Valentina for owner/breeder Stonestreet Stables. Living up to the hype with an impressive debut victory at Saratoga Aug. 2, the daughter of champion Rachel Alexandra made it two-in-a-row with another good-looking score over fellow “TDN Rising Stars” Tap to It (Tapit) and Constellation (Bellamy Road) in that venue's GI Spinaway S. last time Sept. 5. Whisper Hill Farms' Tap to It was a late-running first-out graduate at the Spa Aug. 16, and trainer Ralph Nicks deemed her runner-up finish in the Spinaway last time a strong enough effort to train right up to this event off works.

Fox Hill Farms' Songbird earned her Rising Star with a dazzling 6 1/2-length success in her Del Mar unveiling July 26 and was equally impressive when winning the GI Del Mar Debutante S. next time out over recent GII Matron S. heroine Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy) Sept. 5. The bay handled her first two-turn test with aplomb last time when scoring a dominant victory over Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road) and Right There (Eskendereya) in Santa Anita's GI Chandelier S. Sept. 26.

Reddam Racing and conditioner Doug O'Neill have been on fire with juveniles this term as evidenced by GI Hopeful S. hero Ralis (Square Eddie) and undefeated MGISW Nyquist (Uncle Mo), and that team is represented by Land Over Sea in this one. Earning her diploma at second asking on the turf at Del Mar July 29, the chestnut finished third in the Del Mar Debutante prior to her runner-up effort in the Chandelier last time. Breaking her maiden in the Landaluce S. June 21, Big Chief Racing's Right There finished fourth behind Pretty N Cool in the GII Sorrento S. Aug. 12 and filled that spot again in the Del Mar Debutante prior to completing the Chandelier trifecta.

Another representative from the New York-based contingent is LNJ Foxwoods's Nickname (Scat Daddy). The dark bay had the misfortune of making her career bow alongside Rachel's Valentina and finished fourth in that Saratoga test Aug. 2. A decisive winner over that strip Sept. 2, the Steve Asmussen pupil was quite impressive when winning a sloppy renewal of Belmont's GI Frizette S. Oct. 3.

Ken McPeek saddles the other graded stakes winner in the field in Magdalena Racing's Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize). Opening her account with a dominant seven-length victory on the turf at Ellis Park July 12, the bay made it two-for-two with a win over Bold Quality (Elusive Quality), who was later disqualified and placed third for interference, when switched to the dirt in Churchill's GII Pocahontas S. Sept. 12. She came running late in the slop to finish second behind the recently injured Gomo (Uncle Mo) in the track-and-trip GI Darley Alcibiades S. last time Oct. 2. Alcibiades third-place finisher Ma Can Do It (Majesticperfection) also returns in this championship test.

SPRINT

The Breeders' Cup Sprint is shaping up to be a speed duel between a number of the sport's quickest horses Saturday. With what looks like a plethora of early speed, the race will depend on which of the pace horses will have enough left in the tank to last the six furlongs and which of the late-runners will benefit from the anticipated hot pace.

Private Zone (Macho Uno) completed the trifecta in last year's Sprint and has since tallied wins in the GI Cigar Mile, GII Churchill Downs S. May 2, GIII Belmont Sprint July 4 and, most recently, the GI Forego Aug. 29.

Private Zone | NYRA

The fleet-footed Jorge Navarro trainee will have more than enough company up front, with the likes of Runhappy (Super Saver), Holy Boss (Street Boss), Masochistic (Sought After) and 'TDN Rising Star' Favorite Tale (Tale of the Cat).

Sophomore Runhappy rolls into the Sprint off four consecutive victories–all in gate-to-wire fashion. After two optional claiming wins, the bay annexed the GI King's Bishop Aug. 29 and Keeneland's sloppy GIII Phoenix S. Oct. 2.

GII Amsterdam S. winner Holy Boss will also be expected to be near the early pace. The chestnut sophomore took back a bit and finished third when favored in the Kings Bishop and was fourth most recently in the Phoenix S.

The Ron Ellis trained Masochistic earned his first Grade I score in the June 27 Triple Bend S. He was second to Wild Dude (Wildcat Heir) in the GI Bing Crosby July 26, but weakened to fourth after Settling quick splits in the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship Oct. 3.

Pennsylvania-bred Favorite Tale (Tale of the Cat) impressed with a 4 1/4-length win in Gulfstream Park's GII Smile Sprint S. July 5, earning a spot in the Sprint's starting gate. He was third behind the ill-fated Rock Fall (Speightstown) and The Big Beast (Yes It's True) in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. Aug. 1 and prepped for the Breeders' Cup with a state-bred allowance win at Parx Sept. 26.

Looking to pick of the pieces of a pace meltdown are Wild Dude and the David Jacobson-trained duo of Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge) and Stallwakin' Dude (City Place). Wild Dude rallied for wins in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship and GI Bing Crosby S. July 26. Salutos Amigos and Stalwalkin' Dude enter this off a second and third, respectively, in the GI Vosburgh Invitational Sept. 26.

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

Cavorting (Bernardini) heads to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint as the one to beat while riding a three-race winning streak. Owned by Stonestreet Stables, the 'TDN Rising Star' made up for a pair of dismal performances–including a puzzling ninth in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park Feb. 21–with a smart come-from-behind win in Belmont's Jersey Girl S. June 5. The 3-year-old continued to thrive at Saratoga this summer, turning in a pair of brilliant performances in the GI Test S. Aug. 8 and GII Prioress S. Sept. 6, respectively. She faces her elders for the first time here.

Cavorting | Chelsea Durand

No sophomore has delivered in this race since its inception in 2007, but several have held their own in defeat. Champion Indian Blessing and Zaftig were second and third in the 2008 renewal; Switch and Evening Jewel were second and third in 2010; Her Smile completed the trifecta in 2011; and Thank You Marylou earned show honors last year.

Fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Taris (Flatter) changed hands for $2.35 million at last year's FTKNOV sale after putting on a show in Keeneland's GII Lexus Raven Run S. Oct. 18. She was a valiant second in her debut for the Coolmore partners and trainer Simon Callaghan after setting a scorching pace in Santa Anita's GI La Brea S. Dec. 26, then returned from the shelf with a professional tally while showing the ability to rate in Del Mar's GIII Rancho Bernardo H. Aug. 16. She was stacked four deep in an impossible pace scenario when tiring to third as the 3-5 chalk in the Oct. 4 L.A. Woman S.

Defending female sprint champion Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper), a game winner of this race at Santa Anita last fall, has failed to get her picture taken in three attempts since returning for her 6-year-old season. A painful second to 'TDN Rising Star' Dame Dorothy (Bernardini) in Churchill's GI Humana Distaff May 2, she followed a disappointing third behind La Verdad (Yes It's True) in the GII Honorable Miss S. at Saratoga July 29 with a better-than-it-looked third to Fioretti (Bernardini) after some traffic woes in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. here Oct. 3. She looks to follow in the footsteps of the great Groupie Doll, who is lone the repeat winner of this race (2012-13).

The speedy La Verdad puts a perfect six-for-six season on the line while returning on short notice in this one. Still in search of her first win at the highest level, the multiple graded winner flashed a new dimension by coming from off the pace against New York-breds in last Saturday's Iroquois S. at Belmont Oct. 24, respectively.

'TDN Rising Star' Super Majesty (Super Saver) heads to the deep end following a sharp tally against 3-year-olds in Churchill's GIII Dogwood S. Sept. 19.

WILD CARD

With a very likely hot pace scenario projected, the stretch-running Wavell Avenue (Harlington) can make some noise at a square price. The 4-year-old dark bay, trained by Chad Brown, enters in career form. She came flying home to post a narrow decision over Sweet Whiskey (Old Fashioned) in an optional claimer at the Spa Aug. 26, then earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101 after stumbling at the start when a rallying second behind La Verdad in the GII Gallant Bloom H. at Belmont Sept. 26. Brown, of course, enjoyed a career year at the Championships in 2014, winning three races.

TURF SPRINT

The GI TwinSpires Turf Sprint always attracts a diverse group of entrants, and this year's full field of 14 is no exception.

Lady Shipman | NYRA

“TDN Rising Star” Lady Shipman (Midshipman) looks to cap a stellar sophomore season with a triumph in her sternest test to date, tackling male rivals and graded stakes company for the first time in her career. Never off the board in 11 starts, the speedy chestnut reeled off four consecutive open-length stakes victories over the lawn at Monmouth and Saratoga this summer and recently was caught late by Ageless (Successful Appeal) in the Oct. 9 Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. over this course and distance. The ground was listed as firm that day, but trainer Kathleen O'Connell noted in the aftermath of the race that overnight rains rendered the course slightly deeper than Lady Shipman's ideal preference. With rain again in the forecast on Breeders' Cup week, the condition of the course remains in flux, but in any case, the 5-2 morning line favorite reunites with top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and figures to be on or near the lead in the early stages Saturday.

Ramsey Farm homebred Bobby's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) will attempt to defend his title in this event after failing to factor in both of his previous appearances in 2015. The bay, who uncorked a furious last-to-first rally to capture the 2014 Turf Sprint going 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita, will be asked to navigate the shortest distance of his career–a full furlong less than last year's trip. The Chad Brown trainee flashed speed and faded to finish seventh off an extended layoff in Woodbine's GII Play The King S. over seven furlongs Aug. 23 and recently was extremely rank in a ninth-place effort in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile over this course Oct. 3.

Like Bobby's Kitten, last year's third-place finisher Undrafted (Purim) will attempt to parlay a cut-back in distance to Breeders' Cup glory. Trained by Wesley Ward, the gelding shipped across the Atlantic in June to pull off a 14-1 upset in the Royal Ascot's G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and should move forward off a recent runner-up effort behind Mile hopeful Tourist (Tiznow) in the Sept. 5 More Than Ready Mile over the testing Kentucky Downs turf course. Ward also sends out Green Mask (Mizzen Mast), who finished a close third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March and enters off a fourth-place run in a blanket finish in the 6 1/2-panel Kentucky Downs Turf Dash Sept. 14. That race has already proven to be productive, as third-place finisher Bye Bye Bernie (Bernstein) returned to capture the GII Nearctic S. at Woodbine Oct. 18. Ward's third entrant, The Great War (War Front), checked in third beaten a neck behind Bye Bye Bernie in that six-furlong test and appears to be rounding back into top form after returning from a five-month layoff.

A trio of runners come in to the Turf Sprint in the midst of impressive win streaks, headlined by the 3-year-old Ready for Rye (City Zip). Winner of the GII Swale S. on dirt earlier this term, the bay demonstrated an immediate affinity for the sod, reeling off two straight wins including a triumph in the Quick Call S. at Saratoga Aug. 9. He recently made it three-in-a-row with a score in Belmont's off-the-turf Allied Forces S. Sept. 13 and may be able to secure a spot tracking the pace from an outside post in this return to the turf.

Patricia Generazio's Pure Sensation (Zensational) also boasts an unbeaten record in turf sprints and was last seen notching a hard-fought score in the GIII Turf Monster H. at Parx. Some of the Christophe Clement-trained gelding's best efforts have come off the layoff and he enters the championships with 54 days to prepare. Typically forwardly placed from the outset, the gray likely will have to hustle out of the gate after drawing the inside post in this large field. A west-coaster with a decidedly different running style, No Silent (Silent Name {Jpn}) continued a three-race winning streak in the 6 1/2-furlong GIII Eddie D. S. at Santa Anita Oct. 3 and projects to do his running from off the pace at this shorter trip.