Japanese star Espoir City arrives for Breeders' Cup Classic

Espoir City, the Japanese standout who will run in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, arrived in Kentucky well before dawn Tuesday following a lengthy journey from Japan by way of Chicago and was placed under a 48-hour quarantine at Churchill Downs.

Espoir City has won 11 of 20 starts and earned nearly $6 million. The 5-year-old horse is by Gold Allure, a son of Sunday Silence. Trainer Akio Adachi and jockey Tetsuzo Sato will be assisted by an interpreter from the International Racing Bureau for the Breeders’ Cup.