Free Drop Billy and Firenze Fire certainly established themselves as contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by virtue of their Grade 1 victories last weekend. However, it was another 2-year-old who could be an intriguing player in the race if – and it’s a big if – his connections choose to run.

Montauk, a son of Medaglia d’Oro trained by Todd Pletcher, was most impressive winning a seven-furlong maiden race by 11 1/4 lengths last Saturday at Belmont Park. He covered the distance in 1:22.97 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

ARCADIA, Calif. – It was the distance, not the surface, that sealed the fate of My Boy Jack this summer and fall, and that has put him in position to compete Nov. 3 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar following a victory Monday in the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita.

Keith Desormeaux, his trainer, wanted to run My Boy Jack around two turns as soon as he could.

“I’m ready to go long in June,” he said of his 2-year-olds, only half-joking.

Bigger Picture is set to start in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Del Mar after a 10-week break. Oscar Nominated may start in the BC Turf after a break of less than three weeks.

The two horses may be on different schedules, but trainer Mike Maker hopes to have both runners in the richest turf race in the United States, depending on Oscar Nominated’s performance in the Grade 1 Canadian International on Sunday at Woodbine.

“Hopefully, Monday I’ll have an answer,” he said.

The home team may not have representation in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 3 at Del Mar.

Monday at Santa Anita, the French import Fatale Bere edged Moon Dash by a nose to win the $102,345 Surfer Girl Stakes at a mile on turf for 2-year-old fillies. The Surfer Girl was the leading prep for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf in Southern California.

The results from the two final preps for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last weekend likely clinched the order of favoritism for the Nov. 4 race at Del Mar.

Unique Bella won the L.A. Woman Stakes at Santa Anita by three lengths Sunday, one day after Finley’sluckycharm flashed versatility in winning the Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland by 1 3/4 lengths. Both prevailed as odds-on favorites in cementing their respective status as the one-two favorites for the seven-furlong Filly and Mare Sprint.

Arrogate, continuing his preparation for a title defense in the Breeders' Cup Classic, had a workout on Tuesday morning at Santa Anita that was similar to what he has done the past couple of weeks - going in company with stablemate Uninvited, starting off well back, and then galloping out an additional furlong.

He was officially credited with a five-furlong drill in 1:00.20, with Santa Anita clockers taking him from the half-mile pole to a furlong past the wire. The time was the best of the first 31 drills at that distance on Tuesday morning.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The experience My Boy Jack got in his prior starts came in handy on Monday at Santa Anita, when he shook off some early interference and overcame a four-wide trip on the far turn to rally for a victory in the $101,725 Zuma Beach Stakes, a local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3 at Del Mar.

MIAMI – With the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint being held at five furlongs at Del Mar this year, the connections of the Gulfstream Park West-based Pay Any Price were looking forward to the opportunity of pitting their veteran speedster against the best in the division next month in California.

Unfortunately for co-owners Richard Averill and the Matties Racing Stable, it appears that dream will have to wait another year.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Javier Castellano has picked up the mount on West Coast for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Del Mar, trainer Bob Baffert said Monday.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2017: See DRF’s top contenders

Mike Smith rode West Coast to his recent victories in the Travers Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby, but he will ride defending race winner Arrogate in the Classic.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gun Runner, the favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, led a roster of prominent potential Breeders’ Cup participants who worked on Monday morning at Santa Anita.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was in town for the day and watched Gun Runner go five furlongs in 1:01.60. The work was the second of four planned for Gun Runner here at Santa Anita before he heads to Del Mar for his final work prior to the $6 million Classic on Nov. 4.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2017: See DRF’s top contenders