After watching Dr. Schivel turn in his best performance to date despite having to overcome a broken rein during his victory in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, trainer Mark Glatt is hopeful his lightly raced 3-year-old speedster is ready for yet another forward move when he faces an even more formidable assignment in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint. The BC Sprint will be run at six furlongs on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

The connections of a horse that raced at Delaware Park this summer have been issued suspensions for failing to follow the recommendations of a veterinarian and administering anti-inflammatory medications to the horse “to take away lameness” prior to a workout, according to recent rulings issued by the stewards there.

Echo Zulu, the clear-cut favorite for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, had her first of three scheduled works since being flown to California, going five furlongs in 1:02 last Friday at Santa Anita.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said early this week that Echo Zulu will work again Friday at Santa Anita before the Gun Runner filly is vanned Monday to Del Mar, site of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup, for a final breeze there.

As the connections of several would-be opponents ponder whether or not to try Gamine in the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint, it has become abundantly clear that the field will be one of the shortest of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

An eclectic field of 10 is expected at Monday’s pre-entry deadline for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and this year, for a change, the Distaff clearly reflects the international feel of Breeders’ Cup.

It is a new look for a race historically dominated by North American runners. Except for Bayakoa, Paseana and Blue Prize – Argentina expatriates who reestablished credentials in the United States prior to Breeders’ Cup wins – the Distaff is mostly for the home team.

Frankie Dettori, whose 14 Breeders’ Cup victories rank fourth among jockeys all-time, will ride longshot Blue Stripe when she makes her U.S. debut in the Distaff on Nov. 6.

Blue Stripe, 4-year-old sibling to 2019 Distaff winner Blue Prize, has won four of six in Argentina for trainer Nicolas Martin Ferro. Blue Stripe’s wins include her most recent start May 1 in the Group 1 Gran Premio Criadores, a Breeders' Cup Win and You’re In.

The highly accomplished Maxfield, second most recently in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, will bypass the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar and instead await the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26, trainer Brendan Walsh said Tuesday.

Maxfield was bred and is owned by Godolphin Racing, which has the champion colt Essential Quality, winner this year of the Travers and Belmont Stakes, pointing to the Classic.

Horses trained by Bob Baffert will be subjected to additional drug testing and “increased veterinary and security checks” at this year's Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Southern California, the Breeders’ Cup said in a release Sunday.

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has called off Saturday night’s races and will have afternoon posts all next week, according to representatives of the track.

Delta canceled after the third race Friday, it’s first card of night racing since February 2020 after the track’s lighting system was taken out by Hurricane Laura.

From a pool of almost 200 applicants, the six winners of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, which carry total prize money of $122,000, were named and honored on Friday at a luncheon at Keeneland.