Breeders' Cup Preview

Heavy rain and blustery weather at Keeneland have failed to dampen the spirits of Breeders' Cup regulars, who are determined to celebrate the 32nd edition of the popular series as enthusiastically as ever.

While Europeans are apprehensive about the likely going on the Turf course, the rest of the 'party' will make do with sloppy, muddy, or whatever is served up on the dirt track.

It could hardly be any worse than Monmouth Park in 2007 when it officially came up "Muddy" but this first Breeders' Cup visit to Keeneland is reaching out to the hearts and souls of the racing purist and those with vested interests in the breeding industry.

Once again, the star of the show is American Pharoah, who became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years when landing the G1 Belmont Stakes in June. He is targeting the Classic, the highlight of the meeting and last race on Saturday's big card.

But, as in the G1 Travers Stakes in August when American Pharoah suffered a shock defeat, there is no shortage of opposition, including the hardy Godolphin campaigner Frosted, who is again set to make his presence felt.

Frosted was largely responsible for the favourite's defeat in the Travers, if not directly, certainly by forcing the pace and challenging more than half a mile from home. It was the first time American Pharoah had been pressurised in the middle stages of a race.

Keen Ice, who is again in the line-up, was able to sail down the outside and claim victory. The race had, inadvertently, been set up for him.

This Classic has all the makings of one of the best races for many years, and Frosted must have an excellent chance, having drawn three, on the inside of American Pharoah (4) and the Irish challenger Gleneagles (5).

The brilliant Beholder starts from 10, on the outside.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been keen for another crack at American Pharoah with his hardy three-year-old Frosted, who ran with great credit in the Kentucky Derby (4th), Belmont (2nd), and Travers (3rd), and landed a win in the G2 Pennsylvania
Derby at his most recent outing.

McLaughlin has been pleased with the way Frosted has worked towards his big end-of-season target and is banking on the colt having improved and matured.

McLaughlin will also saddle Sentiero Italia, who has each-way claims in the G1 Filly & Mare Turf, though the David Wachman-trained Legatissimo is something special judged by her win at Goodwood at the 'Glorious' meeting, and the Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture is likely to be at home in the soft ground.

Golden Horn, who is set to become a Darley stallion at the end of the season, will find conditions greatly against him unless sudden drying winds develop to help his cause. He is the best three-year-old in Europe, but all his major wins have been on fast ground.

On Friday, as an aperitif, Godolphin's Birchwood and Cymric both line up in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, over one mile, while in the nine-furlong G1 Distaff, on dirt, Wedding Toast carries stable hopes facing 13 rivals as she attempts a fourth consecutive victory. It could be the perfect prelude to an excellent day's racing.