Marienbard's status up in air

A decision on whether Marienbard, the winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Oct. 6, will start in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Arlington Park on Oct. 26 will be made early next week, according to Simon Crisford, the racing manager for Godolphin Racing.

Friday, William Hill, a prominent English betting company, took a stand on the issue, withdrawing Marienbard from its future book for the Turf. William Hill installed High Chaparral, the third-place finisher in the Arc, as the 5-2 favorite for the Turf.

Crisford said that a decision regarding Marienbard will be prompted by Tuesday's pre-entry deadline for the Breeders' Cup. He said the options for Marienbard include the Breeders' Cup Turf, the Japan Cup in late November, or sidelining him for the year.

Crisford said that if Marienbard passes the Turf, Godolphin is unlikely to have a runner in he race. Grandera, one of Godolphin's top older horses, is being prepared for the Cox Plate in Australia on Oct. 26. Sahkee, second in the 2001 Breeders' Cup Classic, is being pointed for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, England, on Oct. 19.