DOWN the decades, the Breeders’ Cup has provided some of the greatest of races on the flat international scene. Arazi in the Juvenile, Giant’s Causeway’s narrow loss to Tiznow, Lester’s return on Royal Academy. Magic moments.

And some of the great commentaries: “the incomparable, the invincible, the unbeatable, Cigar’... Zenyatta’s Classic victory and defeat. Listen again to the 1989 Classic commentary…“Sunday Silence, bracing himself for the oncoming power of Easy Goer”... It’s equine theatre, absent for much of the season.

This year, it should offer some relief to US racing to have the ‘championships’ on the west coast after injuries and bad weather blighted a lot of the big east coast summer meetings.

But US racing can’t seem to get a break these seasons.

Leading contenders Geaux Rocket Ride suffered a bad injury on track and failed to recover from surgery; the Classic also lost second favourite Arcangelo with a foot issue and Dirt Mile contender Practical Move suffered a fatal heart attack after track work. This evening needs a boost.

All the negativity aside, some of the feature races provide mouth-watering contests. The Turf stands up to any quality criteria – it’s a hot one.

The Aidan O’Brien horses worked in single file, one after the other on track on Wednesday. Will Broome lead Bolshoi Ballet and Auguste Rodin as he did that morning and protect the Derby winner for a later challenge?

How much did that race in the mud at Ascot take out of King Of Steel? Might the Classic not have been an easier option for him?

The Classic, now moved forward in the schedule, is a bit of an anti-climax instead of being the final showdown.

It looks one of the weakest in recent years, and it’s a pity one of the Europeans were not bold enough to give it a go over this track.

Bob Baffert is favourite on his home ground. Is Arabian Knight good enough? Saudi Crown is progressive, White Abarrio might have the best performance of the summer in his six and a quarter length Whitney win. The Japanese Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro has been well touted. Saudi Crown encounters different conditions than his last two outings but might represent value in what looks a very open race.

High hopes

The Dirt Mile kicks the Grade 1s off and despite Cody’s Wish looking vulnerable over further in the Whitney, he has been training well at the track and can go out in style – and start the day with some much needed feel-good vibes.

The Filly and Mare Turf brings high hopes of a European win. But it could be too far for Inspiral and too short for Warm Heart. Inspiral also is not the most straightforward as connections admitted. She was very slowly away at Ascot, and if repeating that, over a longer distance, could be in trouble. There is US pace in the race with In Italian and Fev Rover. In Italian is likely to go forward from stall one which should suit Warm Heart to track her. The O’Brien filly travelled well into contention in the Yorkshire Oaks and can strike first for Ryan Moore. The French 1000 Guineas runner-up Lindy, now with Brendan Walsh, could be the value here at double-figure odds.

The Mile is one of the highlights of the evening – a full field of quality whizzing around the oval. Surprisingly, two three-year-old fillies hold a strong hand for Europe and I prefer Kelina to favourite Mawj who may not be able to dominate as she did at Keeneland. Yet, having a clear passage in the field of 14 is an asset.

It’s Casa Creed’s third Breeders’ Cup but he looks better than ever at seven. However, the verdict goes to Songline to keep Japan’s successful run going.

Distaff drama

The Distaff is often one of the most dramatic – remember last year’s three-way photo finish. Clairiere is on her third attempt. The two Godolphin three-year-olds have had busy campaigns, seven runs for Wet Paint and six for Pretty Mischievous.

Three-year-olds have only won seven of the 23 runnings since 2000 and many of those were simply outstanding fillies like Beholder and Royal Delta. Juddmonte’s four-year-old Idiomatic has progressed rapidly this season and is the one to beat.

Had Frankie been on Mostdahaf on this track, I’d have fancied him more in the Turf as it’s difficult to predict how he will be ridden. But Mostahdaf still has two of the best European performances to his name.

Shahryar is better than recent form and has had breathing surgery, Onesto was the forgotten one in the Arc,

Up To The Mark and War Like Goddess are worthy home defenders in the mould of a Bricks And Mortar. With the strong European challenge, I’ll take Onesto to hold off Up To The Mark.

Even though he has impressive speed and held his own in his Keeneland race, the odds are stacked against Live In The Dream in the Turf Sprint.

The finale is the Sprint on dirt and offers Elite Power v Gunite round four.

Overall, for fans of this event and racing, it’s a great evening’s viewing and just needs everything to go without a hitch.

Middle distance muddle deepens

IT was mildly amusing hearing of a racehorse’s journey from foal to the Horse in Training (HIT) sales illustrated by comments on Luck On Sundaylast week when guest Ralph Beckett noted how hard it was to find buyers for speedily-bred offcasts that had raced to a reasonable level.

The HIT market demand was primarily for middle distance runners. Yet, the news on new stallions this season – backed up by the figures in the Return of Mares – reveals the opposite. Two of the busiest flat sires were sprinters Sioux Nation (289 mares) and Mehmas (244).

Then came the news that three of the best middle distance horses of the last two years - Hukum, Adayar and Westover - are unattractive in Britain and off to stand in Japan. All three won at two, won strong Group 1s and are by top middle distance sires. But apparently no one wants a middle-distance son of Frankel.

So much for the era where the Derby was the defining race for the breed. The Commonwealth Cup winner is now more desirable as the horse assured of a stud career and that just can’t be good in the long term.

Willie reveals all!

ONE off the frequently used headlines that often irritates me is the celebrity interview presented as …Jamie XYZ ‘opens up’ on his life/scandal/struggle. It was with a bit of amusement I read in another publication that Willie Mullins ‘opens up’ about his future stars.

Now, past records tell you to take much of it with the same general pinch of salt that any celeb ‘confessions’ require. Plenty of plans are concealed away. We await the next instalment post Christmas where Willie ‘candidly’ confesses he got it wrong!

X COMMENTS

Dubai Ace@DubaiAce

Interesting of all the Frankels available for stud next year, the quick ones have found homes but Westover & Adayar while Hurricane Lane is already condemned to Coolmore NH. It will be a serious indictment on British & Irish breeders if they don’t support these horses. When horses like Shaquille & Dragon Symbol with their second division pedigrees can be found a stallion job & far superior horses can’t because they were middle distance we have to seriously question where the sport is going on and off the course.

Rach@TailedOffLast

Hukum, Adayar and Westover all to stud in Japan. Thank God they appreciate top class middle distance horses.

Alan Carasso@EquinealTDN

Racing is my livelihood, pays the bills, I’m a lifer. But it ain’t easy to endure one kick in the ass after the next and be remotely optimistic about the future.