THIRD RACE

Also-eligible MOURINHO can wire this five-furlong turf stakes for 2yos. He set a wild pace last out at six furlongs, and was collared late. A move to turf adds uncertainty, but five furlongs is a good distance for the speedster. COUNT ALEXANDER cuts back to a sprint after two okay routes. He might prefer to sprint. He won his debut, a sprint, by four lengths. He benefits by the turnback. MARCH X PRESS, a filly, finished fourth last out in a productive G1 at Woodbine. The two-three finishers returned to win stakes; winner Capla Temptress was scheduled to start as a contender Friday in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. MAJESTIC DUNHILL fits off his highly rated maiden win two back.

FOURTH RACE

Based on an authoritative G1 route win last out, and a style that suits the pace scenario, HEAVENLY LOVE is the choice to win the BC Juvenile Fillies. Her most recent was her first around two turns; she won by more than five. This field has plenty of pace to run at, HEAVENLY LOVE is drawn inside where she can sit, wait and blast home for an upset. SEPARATIONOFPOWERS drew post 13, which means her options are limited. She will have to use her speed, which could make her the one to catch. She won a one-turn G1 last out on “good,” but her pedigree is fine for a route and she has run well on “fast.” If she clears, she might be gone. PIEDI BIANCHI offers value at double-digit odds. Her third last out might have been better than it looks. Wide early, she rallied from near the back in a race dominated by two front-runners. ‘BIANCHI ran well both starts in summer at Del Mar. MOONSHINE MEMORIES is the favorite based on her undefeated record including two G1’s and perfect record at Del Mar. It is uncertain, however, if her G1 last out at Santa Anita was as good as the speed figure.

FIFTH RACE

Five furlongs of the BC Turf Sprint might be shorter than preferred for DISCO PARTNER, but closing sprinters generally have a fair shot on the Del Mar turf. ‘PARTNER is a 9-for-20 pro entering off a decisive stakes win at Belmont Park; the pace should be strong enough to flatter his rally. LADY AURELIA is favored, for good reason. Based in the U.S., she won two G1’s in Europe. She has speed, but does not require the lead. The “best horse” in the field, LADY AURELIA will be racing over a sprint course that is notoriously tough for favorites. Since the course was installed three years ago, favorites won only 24 percent of turf sprints. HOLDING GOLD will rally from the back. Like the top choice, five furlongs might be too short, but he will finish.Front-runner RICHARD’S BOY is a horse for course, 2-for-4 in Del Mar turf sprints. He will be engaged early, but if pace gets crazy, he does not necessarily require the lead. MARSHA defeated LADY AURELIA two back, but five furlongs around a turn at Del Mar is different from five furlongs on a straightway in England.

SIXTH RACE

SKYE DIAMONDS has much going for in the BC Filly & Mare Sprint. She is 2-for-2 at Del Mar, and drawn where she should get a comfortable trip pressing the pace in the clear. She emerged this summer as the top female sprinter in California, earned 95-plus Beyers her last five, and she runs well fresh. Listed at 6-1 in the program, she will fire. UNIQUE BELLA will try to become the first 3yo to win this race. The 3yo stats in this race: 0-for-29 including six beaten favorites. However, UNIQUE BELLA is a unique talent. She won her last five by daylight, including an easy comeback a month ago. Her only start on this track was a maiden romp, she has speed does not require the lead, and will be forwardly placed from the outside. HIGHWAY STAR is a multiple graded winner from New York. At seven furlongs, she has three wins, one second. She will rally late. At 15-1, she is an overlay. PAULASSILVERLINING misfired her last start, without a visible alibi. Before that, she won three straight graded stakes (two G1’s) by a neck. If she is in a photo finish, chances are she will come out on top. CONSTELLATION and PRINCESS KAREN add speed.

SEVENTH RACE

Runner-up by a nose in the BC Filly & Mare Turf a year ago, LADY ELI is back for another shot in the final start of an outstanding career. She might benefit from the shorter distance this year (mile and eighth). Winner of the BC Juvenile Fillies in 2014, she is 10-for-13 in her career. RHODODENDRON won the prestigious G1 Prix de l’Opera last out in France; the filly she beat (Hydrangea) returned to win a G1. The outside post (14 of 14) is a potential challenge, but on class, RHODOENDRON fits perfect. ZIPESSA benefits from a tepid pace scenario. Other than AVENGE, there is not much speed. That puts ZIPESSA in a good spot setting or pressing easy splits. GRAND JETE misfired last time when she found herself setting the pace. She probably is better with a target to chase. Her runner-up finish two back in the G1 Beverly D (troubled trip, should have won) makes her a contender in this tougher race. AVENGE will take them as far as she can.

EIGHTH RACE

East Coast speedster IMPERIAL HINT and West Coast champion DREFONG (the favorite) meet in the BC Sprint. Although the favorite is legit, the higher odds for IMPERIAL HINT make him the gamble.His form this year is super: five straight daylight wins in which he earned a triple-digit Beyer including a last-start 109. His subsequent workouts suggest he remains sharp; he will be pressing the favorite from the outside. Tab for an

upset. But it won’t be easy, because DREFONG is very good. He returned to form with a sharp G1 two months ago at Saratoga, worked well since, has speed to establish position from the No. 2 post, and might be the one to catch. ROY H won four of five this year, winning on both coasts. His figures compare favorably to the top pair; he will be forwardly placed from the outside. Frontrunners had the advantage in six-furlong sprints this summer at Del Mar. AMERICAN PASTIME earned a career-best figure last out, and trained super since.

NINTH RACE

RIBCHESTER arrives from Europe with four Group 1 victories from his last eight starts. It’s enough to merit horse-to-beat status in the BC Mile, though he is not infallible. He wheels back two weeks after a runner-up finish in England, and shipping across the world. The quick turnaround, and international travel, might be enough to consider him vulnerable. Or, not. The consistent colt fires every start, in the money all 15 (once disqualified to fifth). He must ration his speed, because this race is loaded with speed. French invader ZELZAL had a frustrating season. A G1-winning 3yo last year, he has been thwarted vs. older rivals. After misfiring last out on “soft,” he will catch firm ground. Furthermore, his closing style suits the pace and course profile. At 20-1 in the program, the firsttime Lasix user merits longshot consideration. SUEDOIS won a G1 at Keeneland with a closing style that suits this race. BALLAGH ROCKS will roll late. The numerous front-runners/pressers include MIDNIGHT STORM, HEART TO HEART, MR. ROARY, WORLD APPROVAL, HOME OF THE BRAVE and ROLY POLY.

TENTH RACE

If he reproduces his smashing G1 last month at Santa Anita, BOLT D’ORO will be tough to beat in the BC Juvenile. He won both starts in summer at Del Mar, and exploded last out with a sevenand-three-quarter length romp that earned a 100 Beyer, the top performance of the season by a U.S. 2yo. The challenge is reproducing the number. When 2yos run that fast, they sometimes regress next out. SOLOMINI finished second behind the top choice last out; it was a solid effort by a colt making just the second start of his career and first around two turns. Wide much of the trip, he finished a clear second in an effort that sets him up for an odds-beating performance third time out. European import U S NAVY FLAG has a longshot chance to steal it, if he takes to dirt. The front-runner won successive G1s this fall in England. If he breaks running, he would likely set the pace inside. Long gone? It could happen. GOOD MAGIC, runner-up in a G1 at Belmont, is a lightly raced Curlin colt that should love two turns. FREE DROP BILLY, romping G1 winner at Keeneland, has trained super.

ELEVENTH RACE

ULYSSES, favored to win the BC Turf, is the most probable winner on the card. Fourth in this race last year, he improved this season at age 4, and targeted the BC Turf all season. He won 3 of 6 this year including two G1s; his third last out in the Arc was the ideal prep. HIGHLAND REEL won this race a year ago; his third-place finish two weeks ago was his first start in three months. He could improve second start back, and he defeated the top choice two of the last three times they met. BEACH PATROL is the top U.S. turf stayer; winner of the Arlington Million and Turf Classic at Belmont his last two starts. He has tactical speed, and can finish. DECORATED KNIGHT is a three-time G1 winner from Europe; locally based HUNT returns to the course on which he won a pair of G2’s in summer.

TWELFTH RACE

GUN RUNNER and ARROGATE renew their rivalry; expectations are for a different result. Although he finished behind his rival twice, GUN RUNNER can turn the tables in the BC Classic. Since returning from Dubai, he has become a beast. He romped in three successive G1s, and trained with enthusiasm this fall. His speed gives him an edge over ARROGATE, who was considered the best horse in the world after winning the Dubai World Cup. But he lost his compass this summer at Del Mar, losing twice at odds-on. His runner-up in the Pacific Classic was a step forward; he was freshened since then. Like the top choice, GUN RUNNER also trained well this fall at Santa Anita, and should run his best race in the final start of his career. WEST COAST is an improving 3yo facing older after two G1 victories. No telling how good he is; each start is better than the one before. Another improving 3yo is European CHURCHILL. He switches from turf to dirt, adds Lasix and might be worth a flyer at 15-1. COLLECTED defeated ARROGATE in the Pacific Classic, his fourth win from four starts this year. He likes the track, and will keep the pace honest.