2008 Breeders' Cup Watch

Our reigning Horse of the Year will face his toughest test since the Dubai World Cup in this year's Classic, with competition including the five-time Group 1 winner Duke of Marmalade and the four-time winner Henrythenavigator. However, he's been preparing over the Santa Anita surface and getting used to the warm Southern California climate for almost a month and looks ready to go.

Curlin

After coming into the fall with a perfect five-for-five season, he faltered for the first time in the Arc de Triomphe and finished seventh, behind the French filly Zarkava, rival Soldier of Fortune and others. Still happy with his performance given the strength of field and ground, trainer Aidan O'Brien (looking to break Bobby Frankel's Gr. 1 wins in a season record) has chosen to go after Curlin in the big race.

Duke of Marmalade

After two runner-up finishes in the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, this five-year-old finally broke through at Del Mar and edged Dirt Mile contender Well Armed out by a neck to win the Gr. 1 Pacific Classic. That victory secures him a spot in this race and his local record adds weight to his upset chances.

Go Between

Japanese three-year-old and half-brother to Jazil and Rags to Riches impressed connections so much in maiden win in Kyoto that they shipped him to New York for the Peter Pan before he suffered a bruised heel and was scratched from the Belmont Stakes. He's back in the U.S. now and won an allowance race at Santa Anita in preparation for a start here.

Casino Drive

Aidan O'Brien's star 3-year-old bounced back after a disappointing finish at Longchamp last out to come second to rival Raven's Pass in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. There was some question as to whether he was better suited to the Classic or the Mile, given his preference for distance, but his connections believe he can stretch out and contend here.

Henrythenavigator

Aidan O'Brien-trained runner was favored in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, where he just failed to catch Youmzain, and was rested before coming back October 5th in the Arc de Triomphe, where he finished third behind sensational French filly Zarkava and Youmzain again. Off the strength of that performance, he's favored over weaker field here and is coming in fresh.

Soldier of Fortune

Finished sixth, 7 1/2 lengths behind the top pair, in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom two starts back before shipping to New York and winning the Man o' War. His record over the last couple of years shows he prefers the softer competition and firmer ground state-side though, so it's reasonable to think that the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf winner could repeat this year.

Red Rocks

After a surprise victory in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga, he returned to demolish the Joe Hirsch field at Belmont by more than 10 lengths over a yielding turf course. Will return to the Breeders' Cup Turf after a sixth-place finish in the race last year at Monmouth Park.

Grand Couturier

Sir Michael Stoute-trained three-year-old won Group 1 St. Leger Stakes last time out in impressive fashion by 3 lengths. He'll cut back in distance significantly for this race though, from 15 to 12 furlongs, and may also like softer ground than he will get at Santa Anita.

Conduit

Dermot Weld-trained 3-year-old won impressively at Arlington in the Secretariat Stakes with a finishing time two seconds faster than that of the Arlington Million the same day. The Secretariat was Winchester's first start in the U.S. after racing mainly in Ireland earlier this year.

Winchester

Caught front-running Daytona to win the Del Mar Mile after finishing a strong second in the Eddie Read Handicap. He has a record of 2 wins from 3 starts over Santa Anita turf and the late kick that traditionally wins these classic grass races.

Whatsthescript

Bred in Ireland but based in France, this three-year-old filly just continues to improve. With a victory over Darjina and Henrythenavigator at Longchamp, she extended her streak of Group wins to three. Her connections chose this race over Filly & Mare Turf as the mile is certainly her preference in distance and her form has held up with Henrythenavigator's last second-place finish.

Goldikova

Last year's Breeders' Cup Mile winner followed two strong victories this year with an unusually poor fifth-place performance in the Woodbine Mile. He ran second in the Canadian race last year before going on to success in the Breeders' Cup, so we will see if he can turn things around again this year.

Kip Deville

Robert Frankel's 5-year-old mare could steal this race with her early cruising speed if able to hold off late chargers. However, it's her first start over Santa Anita's turf course and she seldom puts up two great efforts in a row and is coming off strong second to Forever Together.

Precious Kitten

A mile is definitely this guy's preference as he showed taking his first Grade 1 victory over Shakis in his last outing. Like Precious Kitten, he runs best when able to set his own early pace and if challenged could be in trouble against tougher competition here than he is used to.

Thorn Song

Lost by a neck to former claimer Cost of Freedom in the Ancient Title at Santa Anita, but this was his first loss of 2008 and his late move still looked impressive enough to keep him at the top of this list. Trainer Bruce Headley knows how to win this race, taking it in 2000 with Kona Gold.

Street Boss

Making only his second start of the season due to numerous minor injuries, he battled longshot Black Seventeen through the stretch and was narrowly defeated in Vosburgh, a race he won last year. Connections say he was running with a bent shoe and expect him to perform better in the Sprint.

Fabulous Strike

Claimed only two months ago for $50,000 while at Del Mar, John Sadler-trained gelding won his next two starts including a surprise victory over Street Boss in the Ancient Title at Santa Anita. Though the Sprint will be another big step up, holding off the top horse in the division at the wire earned him a spot here.

Cost of Freedom

Despite his 2008 record and earnings, don't rule the defending 2007 Sprint champion out of a repeat. Trained by Bob Baffert, he's getting ready to make his first start since a poor performance at Del Mar in August, and this is the race he won by nearly five lengths last year.

Midnight Lute

Two big questions with this 4-year-old - can he compete at this level? And does he need a wet track? Still, can't ignore him completely after his upset win over Fabulous Strike in the Grade 1 Vosburgh where he refused to be passed down the stretch and bettors who overlooked him there missed out on cashing in at 27-1.

Black Seventeen