Marcos Zulueta, one of three Thoroughbred trainers indicted last year on charges related to the illegal administration of substances to racehorses, entered a guilty plea to one federal felony charge of drug adulteration or misbranding conspiracy “with intent to defraud or mislead” during a hearing on Friday.

Several potential starters saw action in three countries on Oct. 10 as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf continues to come into focus.

Richard Baltas hopes the combination of a filly on the improve and a home-course advantage can help Going to Vegas be a player in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at 1 3/8 miles on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Going to Vegas, a 4-year-old daughter of Goldencents, has established herself as the top older female on turf in Southern California with triumphs in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 4 and the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.

Including an allowance race on July 16, Going to Vegas has won her last two starts at Del Mar.

That trainer Bob Baffert is likely to have multiple starters in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is no shock. That trainer Chris Davis could also have two starters in the race, well, that would be considered a bit surprising.

But the 32-year-old Davis, who maintains about a 32-horse stable, is pointing both American Sanctuary and Tough to Tame to the $2 million Juvenile, to be run Nov. 5 at Del Mar. Both horses were relatively inexpensive purchases at 2-year-old in-training auctions and both have competed well enough in stakes to warrant this chance.

The Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in England on Saturday has proved to be a meaningful prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf in recent years, despite only a three-week gap between the races.

This year, one owner and trainer may have added incentive to go from the Champion Stakes winner’s circle to the BC Turf on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

As of Friday, 10 days remain until the pre-entry deadline for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. With all of the major preps for the Juvenile Turf Sprint in the books, the picture is still continuing to solidify.

One thing appears virtually certain – that Wesley Ward, who has won two of the three editions of the Juvenile Turf Sprint, will train this year’s favorite. Averly Jane took over at the top choice at 3-1 on David Aragona’s early line for Daily Racing Form, dethroning stablemate Twilight Gleaming, at 4-1.

Silver State, headed for the Dirt Mile on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, is part of a large, powerful contingent of horses trainer Steve Asmussen already has sent west for starts in upcoming Breeders’ Cup races, joining the likes of Clairiere, Echo Zulu, Jackie’s Warrior, and Max Player, among others.

Asmussen doesn’t have a regular presence in Southern California, but when the Breeders’ Cup is on the West Coast, Asmussen doesn’t wait around after the final round of preps.

Aloha West did not make his first start until February of his 4-year-old season. Eight months later, he’s heading to the Breeders’ Cup, where he could prove to be one of the more intriguing members of this year’s lineup in the $2 million Sprint on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

With trainer Wesley Ward off-site, it was up to Julio Garcia to give John Velazquez the barn’s instructions before he took a leg up for the first time on 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal for the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes last Saturday at Keeneland.

Garcia was a fitting deputy. A former jockey, he set records riding in Puerto Rico in the 1980s and was an early inspiration for Velazquez.

Juju’s Map became one of the favorites for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies by winning the Grade 1 Alcibiades last Friday at Keeneland, a 4 1/4-length jaunt that graded out to an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She took that big step up, did everything the right way,” said her trainer, Brad Cox. “She’s got a big task ahead of her, but she’s a nice filly and we’re excited about her.”

Juju’s Map, by Liam’s Map, is the first horse Cox has trained for the Albaugh Family Stables of Iowa.