LEXINGTON, Ky. – The East Coast-West Coast rivalry will be evident throughout this Breeders’ Cup weekend at Keeneland, no more so than in the $1.5 million Sprint, which features several top contenders from both camps.

While Easterners extol the virtues of Private Zone and Runhappy, who likely will vie for favoritism among the full field of 14 speedsters in the six-furlong Sprint, their West Coast counterparts can brag about their strong contingent, which includes Wild Dude, Masochistic, Kobe’s Back, and Big Macher.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The last time the Breeders’ Cup Distaff got a full gate of 14 was in 2006 at Churchill Downs, where longshots led by Round Pond filled out a superfecta worth $19,297 for $1.

This does not necessarily imply that the favorites are vulnerable when a full field of 14 fillies and mares goes postward Friday in the $2 million Distaff at Keeneland because, really, are there any favorites this year?

American Pharoah (Last 3 Beyers: 105-109-105)
• He has responded to being trained aggressively for this race and figures to run a number close to or better than his career-best of 109. There was no holding back since this is it.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Breeders’ Cup was conceived as an event that would bring together top horses from all regions to settle championships. Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup races begin with one of those classic East-vs.-West showdowns, between Rachel’s Valentina and Songbird in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies. Both are unbeaten, and a victory by either would make her the undisputed Eclipse Award divisional champion.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf has often run through trainer Chad Brown. He won with Maram in 2008, finished second with Watsdachances and Testa Rossi in 2012 and 2013, and then sent out Lady Eli to dominate last year.

This year, if the race runs through him, it might have to be run near the outside fence.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The British are coming . . . and the Irish . . . and the French.

They’re all converging on Keeneland for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Saturday. The Europeans will meet a cast of U.S.-raised and -raced turf females, plus a few the U.S. has adopted from other countries, including Dacita from Chile.

The 1 3/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf is race 6 on Saturday, with a post time of 2:10 p.m. Eastern.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Year in and year out, handicappers find the $1 million Turf Sprint to be one of the most inscrutable of all the Breeders’ Cup races, and Saturday’s edition at Keeneland fits that mold once again.

Despite the presence of defending champion Bobby’s Kitten, the 5 1/2-furlong Turf Sprint brings together another full and evenly matched field, with the break, pace scenario, and even a little luck all helping to determine the winner among a large and deserving group of logical contenders.

The $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday will make history as the first Breeders’ Cup event contested at picturesque Keeneland. Appropriately enough for an event themed as a “homecoming,” a pair of leading European-based runners leading the annual invasion were, in fact, bred in Kentucky. However, a strong North American-based contingent is waiting to welcome them back.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the end, it came down to doing what you know you do best.

So, instead of wondering if Liam’s Map could carry his speed 1 1/4 miles against the likes of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and champion mare Beholder in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, handicappers will be wondering if Liam’s Map can lose Friday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Untapable, the winner of the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and one of the favorites for its 32nd running Friday at Keeneland, has been scratched from the $2 million race after spiking a temperature, trainer Steve Asmussen announced Tuesday.

A determination on whether Untapable, 4, will be retired will be made in due course by owner and breeder Ron Winchell, said Asmussen.