2008 Breeders' Cup Watch

Only an hour after winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup easily over a wet track at Belmont, owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen announced that Curlin was off to Santa Anita to train for the Classic and a much anticipated match-up with Big Brown. As long as the 4-year-old colt reacts well to the synthetic surface of the track, all systems will be go.

Curlin

In his last prep before the Breeders' Cup Classic, Big Brown returned to Monmouth Park, where he had previously won the Haskell, to take the Monmouth Stakes. Racing against older horses for the first time and on grass, he took a quick and clear lead and then shook off Proudinsky coming down the stretch.

Big Brown

After coming into the fall with a perfect five-for-five season, Duke of Marmalade 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 signalled the Breeders' Cup Classic a more likely next start for his colt than the Turf.

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 fellow Classic contender Well Armed out by a neck to win the Gr. 1 Pacific Classic. That victory secures him a spot in the big race on October 25th.

Go Between

Put away the rest of the Massachusetts Handicap field at Suffolk Downs, winning by more than 14 lengths. His Whitney Handicap win at Saratoga has already guaranteed him a spot in the Classic for trainer Nick Zito, but given the synthetic surface at Santa Anita he isn't yet a confirmed starter.

Commentator

Aidan O'Brien-trained runner was favored in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud where he just failed to catch Youmzain, who he beat in the Gr. 1 Coronation Cup at Ascot in the pair's previous meeting. They met again on October 5th in the Arc de Triomphe and finished 2-3 behind French filly Zarkava.

Soldier of Fortune

Winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over Soldier of Fortune, he's known to ship around the world for top races (including two trips to Dubai for the Sheema Classic on turf) and may appear in the Breeders' Cup Turf now following his second-place finish behind Zarkava in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Youmzain

Recent Man o' War Handicap victory over Curlin is enough to move the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf winner into contention. Finished sixth, 7 1/2 lengths behind the top pair, in the Gr. 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom in his last start before shipping to the U.S. Will go straight to the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Red Rocks

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

Grand Couturier

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 US after racing mainly in Ireland earlier this year.

Winchester

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 at Ascot in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Still waiting to hear confirmation of whether he will run in the Classic or the Mile at Santa Anita, but prefer him here.

Henrythenavigator

Finally edged out his rival Henrythenavigator in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last weekend and won a trip to the BC Mile in doing so. The US-bred 3-year-old may run in the Classic instead according to his connections. Will have to wait and see.

Raven's Pass

Caught front-running Daytona to win the Del Mar Mile after finishing a strong second in the Eddie Read Handicap. Trainer John Sadler has announced that he'll go straight to the Breeders' Cup Mile now.

Whatsthescript

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

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 announced after the race that she will come to the Breeders' Cup, either for the Mile or the Filly & Mare Turf.

Goldikova

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.

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

Four-year-old still hasn't started since his win in the Carter Handicap in April. He was scratched as the morning-line favorite from Vanderbilt at Saratoga in July due to a bruised right front foot and was expected to run in the Vosburgh last weekend at Belmont but didn't enter.

Bustin Stones

Stable mate of Lucky Island is quickly becoming a challenger. The Gr. 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt victory on July 26th was his third consecutive sprint posting a big number. Only loss this year came when third behind Benny the Bull in True North 'Cap.

Abraaj

Claimed only two months ago for $50,000 while at Del Mar, John Sadler-trained gelding has 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