AS the Breeders’ Cup looms up five weeks away, the weekend offerings become condensed, the performances crucial. Today offers scintillating cards on the west coast of California and the east coast of New York.

Flintshire kicks off a five-stakes buffet at Belmont Park. Juddmonte’s star flies into the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic fresh off three easy scores for Chad Brown. Only three rivals signed up for what looks like another paid workout for Flintshire. At least there won’t be a controversy over a rabbit as Brown opted to not enter Inordinate, who helped turn the Sword Dancer into a mockery back in August.

Wonder Gal, owned by Treadway Racing and trained by Leah Gyarmati, enters the filly and mare sprint division, fresh off a romp at Saratoga in her first start since February. The four-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful takes on last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom.

Veteran sprinter A. P. Indian seeks his fifth consecutive score and third straight Grade 1 in the Vosburgh for sprinters at six furlongs. The six-year-old gelded son of Indian Charlie has won seven of 11 since joining Arnaud Delacour. A wide-open Beldame at nine furlongs on the dirt completes the card.

SANTA ANITA

Good thing for the time difference, as Santa Anita offers its version of Super Saturday.

California Chrome takes on familiar rivals Dortmund, Hoppertunity, Win The Space and Hard Aces into the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes. California Chrome, a winner of $13.2 million so far, rides a five race win streak into the $300,000 stakes.

Beholder tried California Chrome in the Pacific Classic, falling five lengths short of the champion but two and a quarter lengths in front of Dortmund.

Richard Mandella and Spendthrift Farm won’t try that again, regrouping and aiming the 17-time winner to the Rodeo Drive, where she takes on old friend Stellar Wind.

Klimt rides a three-race win streak into the Frontrunner and American Cleopatra, the full-sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, aims at the Chandelier for Bob Baffert.

Irish-breds Nodiac, Miss Katie Mae, Lady Valeur and Great Page look strong in the Unzip Me Stakes to finish the stellar card.