Mini BC Preview

FM Sprint
Probable contenders: Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Maryfield, Magnificience, Sugar Swirl, Zada Belle, Mistical Plan, Any Limit, By The Light, Lethal Heat

Notable absentees: None

My Top 3
Indian Blessing - Simply the fastest horse in the division so far
Intangaroo - Like synthetics and seems to have a knack for running her best in big events
Lethal Heat - A very consistent performer who loves sprinting on synthetics

FM Turf
Probable contenders: Mauralakana, Halfway To Heaven, Wait A While, Black Mamba, Moonstone, Dynaforce, Pure Clan, Communique, Forever Together, Rutherienne, Precious Kitten, Lady of Venice, Ariege

Notable absentees: Zarkava, Vacare, Nashoba's Key, Ventura

My Top 3
Moonstone - A very good O'Brien filly who seems to fit the mold well
Dynaforce - Unlucky in both North American starts. She might be the best of the home team
Ariege - Brilliant, unexposed but improving all the time

Ladies Classic
Probable contenders: Zenyatta, Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Unbridled Belle, Spring Waltz, Tough Tiz's Sis, Music Note, Little Belle

Notable absentees: Proud Spell

My Top 3
Zenyatta - Hard to argue with anything she's done. She simply goes from strength to strength
Tough Tiz's Sis - Has made a decent living from chasing Zenyatta. Quite easily the second best synthetic mare
Music Note - Still an unknown on the surface but her rise to stardom has been quick and she still might improve a great deal

Sprint
Probable contenders: Benny The Bull, Street Boss, Midnight Lute, J Be K, Lucky Island, In Summation, Rebellion, Idiot Proof, Bustin Stones, Abraaj, Desert Key, Kodiak Kowboy

Notable absentees: None

My Top 3
In Summation - Still the benchmark for sprinting on synthetics
Street Boss - He has looked scary in his last few races
Desert Key - Blazing speed, might not be as much of an asset at Santa Anita but a hugely progressive horse

Mile
Probable contenders: Kip Deville, Raven's Pass, Daytona, Monzante, Hyperbaric, One Union, Tam Lin, Cosmonaut, Thorn Song, Whatsthescript, Storm Military

Notable absentees: Ever A Friend, Henrythenavigator, Creachadoir, Tamayuz

My Top 3
Raven's Pass - Possibly a standout if his preparation is right. I'd like to see him win the Celebration Mile this weekend then train up to the Mile
Kip Deville - The North American gold standard. He hasn't done a thing wrong since winning the race last year
Daytona - The best Californian miler since Ever A Friend went down to injury. Needs to get back on track in Del Mar Mile

Turf
Probable contenders: Red Rocks, Dancing Forever, Winchester, Spring House, Duke of Marmalade, Youmzain, Grand Couturier, Einstein

Notable absentees: Better Talk Now, Montmartre

My Top 3
Spring House - Odd choice for a race dominated by Europeans but he loves the course and is a legitimate 12f horse. Could be quite a shocker
Red Rocks - Not many holes in his North American form. Any winner of this race will have a hard time dealing with him
Dancing Forever - Blew it in his last but still a very good horse on firm ground. I like him for this spot more because I think Duke of Marmalade might be past his best by BC time

Classic
Probable contenders: Big Brown, Henrythenavigator, New Approach, Well Armed, Go Between, Student Council, Colonel John, Arson Squad, Mast Track, Tiago, Awesome Gem, Mambo In Seattle, Casino Drive

Notable absentees: Curlin, Pyro, Harlem Rocker, Heatseeker, Commentator

My Top 3
Go Between - He loves Santa Anita and always seems to run well on synthetics
Well Armed - Might be the classiest entrant with Curlin out. 10f is a question but speed is dangerous
Henrythenavigator - A wild card but if he can translate his form and stay 10f he will not have many horses in front of him at the line