On the morning that pre-entries were due for the Breeders’ Cup, American Pharoah gave every indication that he remains the horse to beat in the $2 million Juvenile with a five-furlong work Monday timed by Santa Anita clockers in 58.60 seconds.

Trainer Bob Baffert said he had American Pharoah alongside the horse Front Range, but the trainer said it was apparent early that Front Range would not keep up.

“He’s still full of energy and willing to work,” Baffert said of American Pharoah. “That other horse was lapped on him a little bit at the start but he could not keep up.”

ARCADIA, Calif. – The workout for Iotapa on Monday at Santa Anita was planned as a simple six-furlong drill to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. It turned out to be more demanding than intended.

Trainer John Sadler gave Iotapa a target in the six-furlong workout soon before 8 a.m. Pacific. Sadler instructed exercise rider Jelani Grant to break off Iotapa three lengths behind stablemate Rocked Twice, and then motor clear late.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rajiv Maragh, who suffered a broken arm in a spill during the running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on Sept. 27, confirmed Monday that he would not make it back in time to ride the Breeders’ Cup.

Maragh had been told by doctors that there was a possibility he could make it back to ride as early as next weekend, but Maragh said Monday that would be too soon.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After running second in the Grade 3 Knickerbocker Stakes on Oct. 11 at Belmont Park, Up With the Birds will head to Japan for his next start to run in the Group 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Nov. 30.

“It’s a big honor just to be invited,” trainer Malcolm Pierce said.

Pierce said officials from the Japan Racing Association formally invited Up With the Birds to the Japan Cup in mid-September. Owner Sam-Son Farm made a final decision earlier this week after the horse returned to Woodbine from New York.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pohdi Pohdi followed up an impressive debut effort on Aug. 23 with another impressive five-length victory in the Victorian Queen Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies on Oct. 11 at Woodbine. She could be back quickly for her next start, the Fanfreluche Stakes for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies on Sunday.

Trainer Bob Baffert woke up Monday morning with one Breeders’ Cup Sprint starter. But by mid-morning, he may have added a second after watching his undefeated 3-year-old Indianapolis work alongside defending Sprint winner Secret Circle from the gate at Santa Anita.

Secret Circle, who will likely go postward as the favorite for a second straight year in the Sprint, and Indianapolis both worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:10.40 over the fast Santa Anita surface. The work had Baffert gushing with enthusiasm about both horses a short while later.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hillstar made a three-wide move at the top of the stretch under Ryan Moore and continued on strongly to the wire to win the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine on Sunday.

The dynamics of the race changed dramatically minutes before the start, however, when Brown Panther was scratched after bolting from the post parade as the horses were on their way to the gate, unseating jockey Richard Kingscote.

The weekend defection of Alcibiades winner Peace and War from the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies brings the probable field to nine as pre-entries were being taken Monday.

Trainer Olly Young posted on the website of his Robins Farm training facility that he had been informed by Kentucky trainer Kellyn Gorder that Peace and War had a “a very slight tear of the tiny XYZ ligament at the base of her fetlock” and would miss the race.

Dirt Mile contenders throughout the nation put in solid workouts over the past few days.

Five prospective starters had works at Santa Anita ranging in length from a half-mile to six furlongs, beginning with Bronzo (four furlongs in 47.20 seconds) and Goldencents (five furlongs in 59 seconds) on Friday.

Defending Dirt Mile champ and likely favorite Goldencents had Rafael Bejarano up, going in splits of 23.80, 36.00 and 47.80 seconds, and galloping out six furlongsin 1:11.40 under the watchful eye of Leandro Mora, who has replaced the suspended Doug O’Neill as trainer.

Although Sunday’s Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine wasn’t a Win and You’re In race for the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, it essentially served as one for Just The Judge.

Off since a third-place finish in the Beverly D. Stakes on Aug. 16 at Arlington, she needed what her connections felt was a good race to run her back on less than two weeks’ rest in the Breeders’ Cup. And she delivered, winning the E.P. Taylor by a half-length, earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, and overcoming a poor start.