ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Most horses who reach the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships are among the elite of their sport, bred and raised on classy farms in Kentucky or Europe. Occasionally an interloper breaks into this rarefied company, but it is safe to say that no horse raised on a modest farm on the Great Plains has ever before had a chance to win America's richest race.

That's the opportunity awaiting in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic for Medaglia d'Oro, who grew up on Al Bell's farm in Montana.

Azeri needs the lead. So what? She is the fastest in the race and does not quit. Azeri should outfoot Imperial Gesture, and run them ragged. She's done it all year. The alternative is versatile Take Charge Lady. If Azeri falters, Take Charge Lady will be well-positioned to pounce. Both enter off big wins in fast stakes. Improving Mandy's Gold showed late interest in the Beldame, though two turns is a new game for her. Longshot Starrer adds blinkers and is poised for a career best. She can't win; she can hit the board. Summer Colony is regressing and dubious chasing a fast pace.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Paulo Lobo pulled off what many consider to be the training feat of the year when he brought Farda Amiga off a three-month layoff to win the 1 1/4-mile Alabama Stakes this summer at Saratoga. It was a remarkable accomplishment, considering Farda Amiga also was coming off an illness, had a mere five workouts, and had to ship cross-country from California.

The world's best miler towers over the competition. European superstar Rock of Gibraltar has won seven straight Group 1's, possesses a blistering turn of foot, and his recent victories have been more visually impressive than the margins suggest. Barring the unforeseen, he should dominate. Good Journey may be better than anyone realizes. He has pointed to this race all year, is lightly raced and unbeaten in 2002, enters on a four-race win streak, and is the leading American threat. Euro-shipper Medecis is not as good as Rock of Gibraltar on form, but he fits.

He is trained by the most successful young trainer in the business. One of his owners is the world's most potent breeder-owner and the other is Europe's most famous soccer manager.

He is by the world's most sought after young stallion, and he has been adopted as a mascot by a nation fighting for the right to determine its sovereignty.

Vindication overcame adversity in Kentucky, winning his first route try by six lengths to remain unbeaten. A son of Seattle Slew, he has been pointed to this race all autumn. He will stay nine furlongs, and he looks poised for a career-best performance. He is the most highly regarded of trainer Bob Baffert's trio, by a wide margin. Listen Indy is the knockout. He's improving each start, his steady-paced style will play well at the distance, and he finished creditably in the Norfolk. His odds will be high and worth a gamble.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It was the morning after Cash Run had upset the 1999 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park, and Satish Sanan, head of Padua Stables, was still beaming like the hot south Florida sun.

"You haven't seen anything yet from Padua," Sanan said.

In the three years since Cash Run's win, it's been more like we haven't seen anything at all from Padua.

Islington's loss by two lengths in the Arc de Triomphe established her as one of the world's top turf runners, irrespective of gender. She now faces females, and off her resounding August triumphs in England appears formidable. Her lone flaw? Wheeling back less than three weeks after a big effort in the Arc. Certain favorite Golden Apples remains in top form and her newfound speed under Pat Valenzuela insures another trouble-free trip. The main difference between her and the top choice is Islington has faced better company this year. Dublino has a wicked kick and will fly late.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - When Breeders' Cup 2001 rolled around, Pat Valenzuela was keeping busy. He had a job with prominent Thoroughbred owner Bob Lewis - working for Lewis's Budweiser distribution company in Pomona, Calif.

A six-time Breeders' Cup winner, Valenzuela gathered with friends around a television set for the races.

"I remember seeing Tiznow and Chris McCarron win the Classic," Valenzuela recalled this week. "I remember I told the people I was watching with that I would be there next year."

California's best sprinter this year is presser Disturbingthepeace, who figures for a great trip behind the pace. A winner of six straight starts, he is geared for a huge effort in his first start in two months for terrific layoff trainer Darrell Vienna. Post 3 is not a significant obstacle. Fast-working comebacker Kona Gold typically runs his best race fresh and is dangerous from behind in a speed-filled race. Orientate has proven he can cope with heat, but he will have lots of company.