12.44 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade 1) 1m 4f

We’ll get to the headliner in a bit but the Turf figures to be among the best races of the weekend with another strong cast assembled for the 12-furlong test over Santa Anita’s firm ground. The Europeans have a stranglehold on the Turf, winning five of the last six editions and four straight in Enable, Talismanic, Highland Reel and Found.

So the big question on everyone’s lips here in Southern California is who will be the fifth? Aidan O’Brien, who won back-to-back editions with High Chaparral in 2002 and 2003 and six overall, sends out Investec Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

The son of Galileo came to the US last year – most likely in search of firm ground – but found plenty of cut in the turf at Churchill Downs when he finished ninth as the favourite in the Juvenile Turf. He’s back for another run and won’t face Enable or Magical here, the two winners of his most recent runs.

Chad Brown dominates turf races from coast to coast in the U.S. and sends out Bricks And Mortar in what figures to be his final start before heading to stud in Japan. The son of Giant’s Causeway is five-for-five this season, running on all types of courses on five tracks.

He’s untested at 12 furlongs though and Brown toyed with cutting him back to the Mile before settling on this spot. Arklow, Channel Maker, Channel Cat and Zulu Alpha are capable on their day but might just be a cut below.

SELECTION: BRICKS AND MORTAR

Next best: Anthony Van Dyck

12.44 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1) 1m 2f

The topsy, turvy season in the handicap and three-year-old divisions essentially draws to a close in the day’s headline event, worth $6 million US and most likely a championship or two to boot.

So who’s in line for a championship? Code Of Honor, winner of the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup by DQ, could stake a claim at the three-year-old title with his third straight win at 10 furlongs. War Of Will could do the same, but he’ll need a significant form improvement back to his Preakness Stakes victory to be in the mix.

As for the older horses, McKinzie looked great winning the Whitney and subpar finishing second in the Grade 1 Awesome Again last time. He’ll walk out of his stall in Bob Baffert’s local barn and rates the edge over the home team that also includes John Sadler’s Higher Power and Awesome Again winner Mongolian Groom.

Vino Rosso and Owendale turned a lot of heads training this week at Santa Anita, the former never looking better and much improved from his summer in Saratoga.

Who negotiates the 10 furlongs best holds the key to the puzzle and it’s the mare Elate who brings a three-for-three mark at the trip to the table for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The only others with a win going 10 furlongs are Higher Power, Vino Rosso and Code Of Honor.

SELECTION: CODE OF HONOR

Next best: Vino Rosso