Eight straight wins including three Grade 1's makes LEROIDESANIMAUX a standout. Proven on soft going, he does not require the lead and repeatedly has demonstrated the ability to fight back. Bobby Frankel is 3 for 63 in the Breeders' Cup, 3 for 25 since 2001. ARTIE SCHILLER, a Grade 2 winner, was under a drive much of his final prep while pushing a hot pace. These fractions will be easier because the two favorites are the only real front-runners. Artie Schiller handles soft turf, likes Belmont, and will get a pressing trip.

This unusual BC Sprint lacks "quality" speed, which benefits LOST IN THE FOG. The 10-for-10 sprinter is quick enough to clear, he possesses an impressive middle move, and barring the unforeseen he can be long gone. But his low odds may not represent value, and if he is overbet, Grade 1 winner WILDCAT HEIR is a sensible alternative. The Beyer Figure of 117 he earned in August would have won 14 of the last 17 BC Sprints.

WEND returned to form with a fast-closing second in the one-mile, Grade 2 WinStar Galaxy, and returns to conditions of her last win (1 1/4 miles at Belmont). She has tactical speed, she can finish, and can score a mild upset in a relatively weak Filly and Mare Turf. KAREN'S CAPER had a tough trip finishing second in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies. Blocked into the lane, she had wait for room, finally angled out, and finished super. A top-class European, she may play spoiler despite being unproven vs.

Unbeaten SORCERER'S STONE is the real deal He has speed, he finishes, and proved beating Private Vow first out he can take dirt and rally inside. He won the Arlington Washington Futurity with a sensational (24.14 seconds) final quarter. STEVIE WONDERBOY, the runaway Del Mar Futurity winner, enters fresh with sensational works. He also is qualified to upset favorite FIRST SAMURAI. First Samurai is unbeaten, and mistake-prone. He raced erratically in the Champagne and habitually lugs in.

The 14-length Matron romp by FOLKLORE earned a spectacular Beyer Speed Figure of 99, validated when third-place Along the Sea returned to finish two behind Adieu. It is a worry Folklore is stuck on the rail, but she has overcome it three times. ORIGINAL SPIN uncorked a devastating rally to win the Arlington-Washington Lassie in just her second start. She took dirt, swung out, and crushed. Runner-up Ex Caelis returned to run second in a Grade 2. WILD FIT was exposed as a closing sprinter when second in the Oak Leaf. No problem.

The state of the ground has been the talking point all week around Belmont Park. The rain that fell Monday night and all day Tuesday left the turf courses soft and the main track sloppy. Even though clear skies are predicted for race day, it is imperative to take the going, especially on the turf, under serious consideration.

NEW YORK - There is plenty at stake in Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park, not the least of which is $14 million in purse money. But there is even more on the line. With almost every divisional championship still up for grabs, the results of the eight Breeders' Cup races will play a huge role in clarifying this year's Eclipse Award picture.

With that in mind, let's look at a few of the divisional scenarios with regard to Saturday's BC races.

LEXINGTON - Some running styles have been much more effective than others during the first 21 runnings of the Breeders' Cup races. Knowing which styles are preferred in each race can pay big dividends.

Interestingly, the opinions of many handicappers I know have been distorted by a handful of races that were particularly significant to them for betting reasons, or because they were fans of certain horses. Other races that contradict the trends they remember are frequently overlooked. Here are the trends for each of the races:

Distaff

NEW YORK - Much of the focus in determining the chances of the 21 European runners in Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park will be centered on their Timeform ratings. Indeed, perhaps too much attention will be paid to those ratings, and while their value cannot be underestimated, the manner in which they are interpreted could spell the difference between backing a winner and throwing your money away.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Human nature being what it is, horseplayers are always on the lookout for quick and easy betting angles, especially weekend warriors who don't always have enough free time for comprehensive handicapping.

One angle frequently gets terrific results, and what's more, it is so deceptively simple that many players have trouble believing in its power:

On sealed wet racetracks, bet the horse(s) equipped with mud calks.