A wide range of contenders with sufficient credentials to win

Last year at Arlington Park, High Chaparral was a standout in a field of eight in the Breeders' Cup Turf, obliging as the 4-5 favorite with an impressive stretch run.

If last weekend's major preps are any indication, there will be no such heavy favorite in this year's $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.

Last Saturday, Falbrav, who must be supplemented for $180,000, successfully shortened up to a mile to win his third Group 1 race of the year in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. A day later, trainer Luca Camani said Falbrav was likely to be shipped to California.

Also last Saturday, Sulamani won the $750,000 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park, overcoming a stumble on the final turn to record a convincing victory.

A day later at Santa Anita, Storming Home, the disqualified first-place finisher of the Arlington Million on Aug. 16, beat three opponents in the Clement Hirsch Turf Championship over 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Falbrav, Storming Home, and Sulamani will be well supported in the Turf as will High Chaparral if he makes a successful prep against a strong field in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris.

The Arc, run over 1 1/2 miles, will help determine the depth of the European team for the Turf. The race is the focal point of the older horse division in Europe.

Consequently, the Turf is likely to be one of the more competitive races on Breeders' Cup Day.

The win by Storming Home was his first start since he unseated jockey Gary Stevens a few strides after the finish of the Arlington Million. Stevens suffered a collapsed lung in the spill and missed three weeks of racing.

Even though Storming Home has the benefit of a win over Santa Anita's turf course, Stevens did not categorize the victory as giving the 5-year-old a home course advantage.

"I wouldn't care where the race is run," Stevens said. "He's a gifted, gifted horse. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope he is doing as well on the 25th."

Deeliteful Irving, the runner-up to Sulamani, and Johar, second to Storming Home, are being pointed for the Turf. Another expected starter is The Tin Man, who finished fourth in the 2002 Turf.

Richard Mandella trains Johar and The Tin Man.

Earlier this year, The Tin Man won the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Handicap over 1 1/2 miles on turf at Santa Anita over the same course and distance as the Turf. The Tin Man has lost three subsequent starts, including a second in the Grade 1 United Nations Handicap and a sixth in the Arlington Million.

Aside from High Chaparral, The Tin Man is the only other runner from last year's field expected to return at Santa Anita.