John Pricci

Whether you believe it to be “America’s Day At the Races” or not, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships remain, in a phrase we’ve used over and over, “the event that never fails to fire.” And while not trying to push the hyperbole meter to the max here, this year’s event might be the best ever.

If performance figures are the measure, then the eight races with purses totaling $20 million have that kind of cache, such is the talent that will be on display Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The legendary home of the Kentucky Derby will play host to its sixth Breeders’ Cup, this year featuring, on balance, the fastest horses in the world ever assembled in one place at one time. Based on past performances, there are strong favorites in every event but all will be seriously challenged.

Based on their ability to run fast and the propensity for them to peak on race day, hordes of challengers lay in waiting, set to pounce and replace the pro-tem champions with titles of their own making. The fact these great horses are in the hands of legendary horsemen only adds to the intrigue. Horseplayers will respond by queuing up early and often for what is widely regarded as the most rewarding and challenging wagering program of the year.

The following is a thumbnail sketch of leading contenders in each event, listed in alphabetical order:

Juvenile Fillies: Concentrate on Cash Included, Dreaming Of Anna, Octave and Quick Little Miss. Cash Included is sure to be crowned the divisional champion should she repeat her victory in the Grade 1 Oak Stakes, saddled by Craig Dollase, the youngest trainer ever to win a Breeders’ Cup race with the Reraise in 1998, will look for a repeat his good Churchill karma. Dreaming Of Anna was talented enough to beat males on the grass in Canada last out; a question of dirt transference here. Octave has the pedigree for the added ground and Quick Little Miss was a strong-finish third to Cash Included at Santa Anita.

Juvenile: C.P. West, Circular Quay, Great Hunter, Pegasus Wind, Principle Secret, Scat Daddy and Street Sense all have a license to win. C.P. West stretches out for Nick Zito off two sprints, a favorable move. Circular Quay owns two wins over the track. Great Hunter is the West’s best. Pegasus Wind is learning how to run for the King of the Cup, Wayne Lukas, whose 18 victories lead the pack. Principle Secret is a California speedster and Scat Daddy is the fastest colt to date, one of 18 horses entered by Todd Pletcher. And Street Sense might be more than just a local hero. It’s highly unusual when the Juvenile winner is not crowned champion.

Filly & Mare Turf: Film Maker is as hard-hitting as they come and in top hands. Honey Ryder is fast, consistent and hickory tough. Ouija Board is the Queen of Europe and winner of this race in 2004, a very worthy favorite well drawn in post 2. Wait A While is one of the most impressive 3-year-old American grass fillies to come around in quite some time. Another event with championship implications.

Sprint: Attila’s Storm is a fast and fresh longshot. Bordonaro is the fastest gun in the West. Henny Hughes is extremely fast, extremely consistent, but was somewhat hurt by his inside draw. Bullet Bob Baffert has Too Much Bling working, well, bullets.

Mile: In five previous runnings at Churchill Downs, it’s Americans 3, Europeans 2. Araafa is a Euro with a style suiting American racing, not to mention a dual Group 1 winner. Aragorn is America’s fastest, most consistent male miler. Echo of Light is one interesting Euro. Gorella is the fastest, most consistent female miler and possibly more than equal of the boys: the lady shaves. Librettist is a dual Group 1 winner at a mile this year. Longshot Silent Name was very wide behind Aussie Rules at Keeneland.

Distaff: Talented Balletto will put it all together one of these afternoons but is hurt by the wide draw. Fleet Indian has never lost in six starts at 9 furlongs, nor in as many starts for Pletcher. Pine Island is one talented 3-year-old in the hands of Shug McGaughey, the King of the Distaff. Pool Land is consistently faster than mate Fleet Indian, only not so much in the win column. Round Pond is better than her last. Spun Sugar completes Pletcher’s Distaff trifecta. Older filly and mare title at stake; maybe 3-year-old, too.Turf: Better Talk Now has won one of these but he was younger then. Cacique is fast and genuine with an excellent turn of foot. English Channel and Cacique have a personal rivalry going; fast and genuine, part two, but draws tough outside. European Hurricane Run has the most talent; a question of current form. Rush Bay loves Churchill’s sand-based turf. T. H. Approval loves a marathon; laudably consistent. Winner normally earns Eclipse title.

Classic: Bernardini has done nothing to suggest he is not the second coming; it will take his very best, however. George Washington, bred by Barbaro’s people, is a great European Group 1 miler headed to the breeding shed; bad spot but nothing to lose. Extremely talented Invasor is a horse for three continents but has missed time; that could turn out to be a blessing. Lava Man is a modern day John Henry who gets little high praise outside California. Perfect Drift is perfectly genuine even if he’s lost a step; first-time Garrett Gomez. Premium Tap is a late developing 4-year-old. Talented local favorite Suave might be 50-1. Sun King will make Zito very happy one of these days.

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