Can Brown step it up a notch?

In each of the last two years, New York trainer Chad Brown has had multiple starters in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Each time, Brown had a runner finish in the top three behind a winner trained by Aidan O’Brien of Ireland.

Brown’s objective for this year’s $4 million BC Turf on Nov. 4 at Del Mar is to reverse the storyline. His stable arguably has the best chance for an American-based winner, but once again is expected to face a formidable group of European imports.

Beach Patrol and Fanciful Angel, first and second in the Arlington Million on Aug. 12, and Money Multiplier, sixth in the 2016 BC Turf, are Brown’s main hopes. They are scheduled to start in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park on Sept. 30. The winner of the Hirsch receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf, also run at 1 1/2 miles.

For Beach Patrol and Fanciful Angel, the Hirsch distance will be a new test.

“We’ll learn a lot about them in that race,” Brown said.

Fanciful Angel joined Brown’s stable after the Arlington Million, having previously been trained by Marco Botti in England.

“We’re still getting to know him,” Brown said earlier this week. “Based on what I see, he’s a likable horse.”

Money Multiplier has started twice this year, winning the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes on July 30 and finishing second to Sadler’s Joy in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf Aug. 26 at Saratoga.

“We’ve rested him for this type of campaign,” Brown said. “He’s run two good races so far.”

The European runners will be better known after the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 1 at Chantilly in France. With a purse of $6 million at current exchange rates, the Arc is Europe’s richest race.

Ulysses, fourth in the 2016 BC Turf at Santa Anita, is scheduled to start in the Arc, though trainer Michael Stoute told the press in England earlier this week that the BC Turf is still part of plans for the 4-year-old colt.

Highland Reel, who won the 2016 BC Turf for O’Brien, is another Arc candidate. The race is expected to be led by Enable, the 3-year-old filly who has won four consecutive Group 1 races, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 29, with Ulysses second.

Breeders’ Cup officials expect a strong team of runners from O’Brien for the two days of races Nov. 3-4. O’Brien has won the BC Turf a record six times, including three of the last four runnings.

Earlier this week, O’Brien was considering four candidates for the Arc, all Group 1 winners – Capri, Highland Reel, Order of St George, and Winter.