LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Wednesday morning was another quiet one for those of us on the Breeders’ Cup workout watch at Churchill Downs with only two recorded breezes on the tab. Both those horses, Giant Ryan (Sprint) and Trinniberg (Juvenile Sprint) came from the barn of trainer Bisnath Parboo and both those works were over and done by 7:30 a.m. Most of the gallop activity here also took place under the lights, before dawn, due in large part to the threat of heavy showers which did not materialize until after the track closed at 10 a.m.

Midday won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2009 and finished second by a neck as the odds-on favorite in the race last fall. But a third Filly and Mare Turf probably is not in the cards for Midday. Her connections are aiming higher – and farther – in 2011, with Midday more likely for the $3 million Turf than the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf.

Classic rivals Uncle Mo and Havre de Grace might get the most ink during Breeders’ Cup Week 2011. Whippersnappers. Uncle Mo barely had been weaned from his mother’s side, and Havre de Grace was a yearling in the earliest phases of training when Goldikova won her first Breeders’ Cup Mile, way back in 2008. Goldikova was a 3-year-old then. Twice that age, she returns this week to Churchill Downs, where she won her third BC Mile in 2010 and seeks a fourth victory in the race Nov. 5.

One California speedball was replaced by another when pre-entries for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile were announced Wednesday.

When Twirling Candy was ruled out of the Dirt Mile due to injury, it seemed like California’s best chance to win that race was gone. Now, the West Coast could be strongly represented by The Factor, a seriously fast 3-year-old trained by Bob Baffert.

Stacelita, winner of the Beverly D. Stakes in August and Flower Bowl Invitational earlier this month, is the rightful favorite for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 4. She may not face the toughest field possible.