THE Breeders’ Cup hosts its annual two-day extravaganza of racing on November 4-5th. Somewhat maligned around the world and much revered around this country, the Breeders’ Cup returns to Santa Anita for a record ninth time.

The California canvass has produced some of the most iconic moments in thoroughbred racing. This year promises the same fireworks. Yes, as always, there are questions about race-day medication and other dents in the Breeders’ Cup shield, but for two days, it’s carpe diem.

The Breeders’ Cup offers four races on Friday, highlighted by the clash of the titans - undefeated Songbird, champion Beholder, Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind and every other dirt-loving filly and mare - in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

As for Saturday, nine stakes races come at you quicker than Donald Trump gaffs. Royal Ascot heroine Tepin takes on Limato in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Flintshire reigns in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the finale, the Breeder’s Cup Classic attracts Dubai World Cup champion California Chrome, Travers upstart Arrogate, Met Mile winner Frosted and perhaps - perhaps - Arc winner Found.

Wow, that’s carpe diem.

But, let’s get through Friday first. Here’s a first glance at the pre-entries for Friday’s four races.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

A race added to the menu in 2007, it has provided a free lane to the Europeans as they’ve won it with Hit It A Bomb, Outstrip, George Vancouver, Wrote, Pounced and Donativum. This year, well, they’re loaded again with Coolmore pre-entering Intelligence Cross and Lancaster Bomber but there’s just one problem. Oscar Performance.

His name went in the notebook on a cool morning at Saratoga this summer as the bay colt scampered across the turf course and sauntered home like he knew all about the Breeders’ Cup. Owned and bred by Amerman Racing and trained by Brian Lynch, the son of Kitten’s Joy received an education in his career debut, finishing sixth, and then put that lesson to good use with rollicking scores in a maiden at Saratoga and the Grade 3 Pilgrim. He’s handled firm turf at Saratoga and yielding turf at Belmont Park and takes his game on the road.

“He’ll run on broken glass, he doesn’t care,” Lynch said.

As for other American-based runners, Wellabled will rip on the lead while Ticonderoga, if he runs straight, could earn a big share of the $1 million purse.

British-bred Harbour Master left Jamie Osborne’s yard after a two-for-six career and finished fourth in the Zuma Beach for Jim Cassidy. French-bred Keep Quiet bolsters a strong team for trainer Mark Casse.

The Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

A race that has watered down the product like the black market in olive oil, the Dirt Mile offers another option to horses who traditionally tried to stretch their speed in the Classic. Liam’s Map won the Dirt Mile last year, handing an easy lead and a culmination to American Pharoah in the Classic.

Ah, I digress. It’s still a million dollars on the line and, remember, we’re carpe diem.

Runhappy takes the inexplicable road to the Dirt Mile instead of the Sprint, which he dominated last year before the car ran off the tracks for his much-maligned former trainer Maria Borell. Now trained by Laura Wohlers, the four-year-old colt has made one start this year, finishing fourth in the Ack Ack, an effort that sacked Hall of Famer Edgar Prado and added Hall of Famer Gary Stevens.

Beyond Runhappy, the rest of the field searches and receives class relief.

Tamarkuz hasn’t won since taking the Godolphin Mile at Meydan in 2015, but he’s been close in his last two tries for Kiaran McLaughlin. Dortmund has lost five races in his career - races won by American Pharoah and California Chrome. There are no American Pharoahs or California Chromes in the consolation prize.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

The sister to the opener, the Juvenile Fillies Turf has also been won – but not dominated – by the Europeans. Americans Catch A Glimpse, Lady Eli and Stephanie’s Kitten launched their careers with wins while foreign raiders Chrisellium and Flotilla have found the circle.

There’s a mix bag of both this year. Aidan O’Brien could have power in Hydrangea, Promise To Be True and Roly Poly, while Joseph O’Brien could have more power with Intricately. Richard Baltas takes over with Irish-bred Madam Dancealot.

Chad Brown, as always, is loaded with New Money Honey and Rymska, first and second in the Miss Grillo at Belmont Park in October. Coasted couldn’t handle those two but she’s talented and could rebound for Leah Gyarmati. Owner Martin Schwartz tries to replicate some of his other French raids, launching Cavale Doree from France.

The Longines Breeders Cup Distaff

The Hollywood Walk of Fame has fewer stars than this year’s Distaff.

The biggest and best is certainly Songbird. The three-year-old filly rides an 11-race win streak into her first meeting with older fillies and mares. Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, the ultimate realist in the dream world of thoroughbred racing, said it best after Songbird won the Cotillion at Parx in September.

“You come to a point in the road where you have to meet the big ones and there are couple of big ones out there at Santa Anita,” Hollendorfer said.

None bigger than Beholder and Stellar Wind.

Beholder missed last year’s Classic after she bled in a morning gallop.

The six-year-old mare seeks her 18th career win which would put her over $6 million in career earnings. She rides a three-race losing streak and looks to have lost a step.

Of course, if it wasn’t for Stellar Wind and California Chrome, Beholder would be riding an 11-race win streak.

Stellar Wind rocketed out of Maryland in 2014 to hammer her tent pole on Beholder’s beach. The daughter of Curlin has won six stakes, including a half-length win over Beholder in the Clement Hirsch and a neck win over her in the Zenyatta.

Ring the bell, drop the ball, tap the keg - it’s time for the Breeders’ Cup.

An extensive preview of Saturday’s races will appear in next weeks issue.