DEL MAR, Calif. – Firenze Fire is expected to run in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, despite having developed an elevated temperature Wednesday morning that had his connections somewhat concerned about him making the race.

Trainer Jason Servis said Firenze Fire had a temperature of 101.6 degrees on Wednesday, which was higher than his normal 100.5, one day after shipping in from New York. By Thursday morning, the temperature was down to 101.3.

Blood was taken from Firenze Fire on Wednesday and tests came back clean, Servis said.

When one door closed on Jon Lindo, another opened.

Lindo heads a partnership that in August 2016 dropped a $40,000 claim for Skye Diamonds, one of the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Just a week before, Lindo was laid off as an advertising representative by Daily Racing Form after 11 years on the job.

“Obviously we didn’t know the filly would turn out this good,” said Lindo. “But she had conditions we could run through and thought she might be okay. All she’s done is get better and better.”

Brush off dusty tomes of Thoroughbred racing history, or flip to a current chapter, and you’ll find Runnymede Farm on nearly every page.

The Thoroughbred nursery is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – making it the oldest continuously operated Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, according to the historic preservation group Daughters of the American Revolution. Runnymede is looking to celebrate in style Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup with two horses it bred and raised – multiple Grade 1 winner Lady Eli, and Collected, who defeated Arrogate in the Pacific Classic.

DEL MAR, Calif. – On the morning of Oct. 27, Cherie DeVaux, atop her stable pony, accompanied Lady Eli and exercise rider Walter Melasquez to the training track at Belmont Park. After standing by the quarter pole gap for several moments, DeVaux jogged alongside Lady Eli before turning her and Melasquez loose for one last gallop.

Lady Eli would have a workout the following day on Belmont Park’s turf course and then fly to Southern California for what is likely the final race of her career.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mick Ruis grew up in San Diego and remembers as a teenager attending the races at Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, with a friend.

“If we could ever save $3,000 to get a claimer at Caliente, our life would be fulfilled,” Ruis remembers the conversation going. “About $5 million later, we’re still trying to fulfill it.”

DEL MAR, Calif. – The most money that horses trained by Todd Pletcher ever earned in a season was $28,116,097. The year was 2007, the same time a young fellow named Chad Brown went out on his own as a head trainer.

Sure, out West there is Bob, as in Baffert, but on the East Coast, from Florida to New York, it is Todd and Chad, Chad and Todd. Pletcher won the Kentucky Derby this year with Always Dreaming and the Belmont with Tapwrit. Brown won his first Triple Crown race, the Preakness, with Cloud Computing.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Breeders’ Cup represents a galaxy of equine stars every year, although it’s fair to say that some shine brighter than others.

Any comprehensive list of the top horses competing in the Breeders’ Cup this weekend at Del Mar would have to include Lady Aurelia, a 3-year-old filly who has made a particularly strong impression on European racing fans despite being born, raised, and based in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Owner Charles Fipke will have to pay both jockeys John Velazquez and Joel Rosario the same fee based on how much money Forever Unbridled earns in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, according to the Del Mar stewards.

Lady Eli, by Divine Park
Last 3 Beyers: 104-102-104

* Brings a three-race winning streak into the Filly & Mare Turf and has trained exceptionally well from her win in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa to now.

* Trainer Chad Brown called her last workout at Belmont Park the best workout she has ever had.

* This year’s Filly and Mare Turf is run at 1 1/8 miles, a distance at which Lady Eli is 3 for 3.

* Showed in the Grade 1 Gamely that she can adapt to any pace scenario.

Key contenders in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Drefong, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 107-103-103

* Has had only two starts all year, but has been working lights out for the defense of his title, prompting trainer Bob Baffert to say “he couldn’t be doing any better” going into the race.