The impact that the synthetic Pro-Ride surface in place at Santa Anita plays in the Breeders’ Cup is no more evident than in the Classic, where reigning Horse of the Year Curlin is a major question mark to repeat against a field that includes several of Europe’s best turf runners.

Curlin is the type of favorite you are supposed to try to beat. His last race – the Jockey Club Gold Cup – was a major target as he set the earnings record, and he has historically preferred to have a race over the track, hence why he chose the Haskell last summer in advance of the Breeders’ Cup last fall, and why he went to Dubai six weeks early to get a race in prior to the Dubai World Cup.

This afternoon, not only is Curlin visiting Santa Anita for the first time, but also trying a new surface for the first time, a situation similar to his loss when trying turf at Belmont earlier this season.

The major question now looms, if Curlin comes back to the rest of this group, who is capable of taking advantage? The answer may very well be Casino Drive, who is certainly facing a tall order taking on the likes of Curlin with just three career starts under his belt. Nonetheless, Casino Drive has flashed amazing ability, and has already proven he can handle this strip.

Classic Picks: 1st Casino Drive; 2nd Curlin; 3rd Duke of Marmalade; 4th Henrythenavigator.

The day begins with the Marathon, where European import Sixties Icon holds a significant class edge and will relish the 12 furlongs.

Marathon Picks: 1st Sixties Icon; 2nd Big Booster; 3rd Church Service; 4th Zappa.

The inaugural Turf Sprint presents a wickedly difficult handicapping puzzle, so siding with a horse that both has experience over this hillside turf course and offers a big price, land on Desert Code. He owns three career wins at this trip – all with Migliore aboard – and should improve in his second start off the short break from just farther off the expected suicidal early pace.

Turf Sprint Picks: 1st Desert Code; 2nd Storm Treasure; 3rd Get Funky; 4th Rouse the Cat.

In the Dirt Mile, Slew’s Tiznow is lightly raced and faces his elders for the first time, but was a sharp winner last out and will offer plenty of value for potent connections.

Dirt Mile Picks: 1st Slew’s Tiznow; 2nd Well Armed; 3rd Lewis Michael; 4th Albertus Maximus.

In the Mile, defending champ Kip Deville and the French filly Goldikova appear superior, and the better trip will likely determine the outcome. As Kip is a perfect 2-for-2 over this turf course and a likely slightly better price…

Mile Picks: 1st Kip Deville; 2nd Goldikova; 3rd Whatsthescript; 4th Precious Kitten.

In the Juvenile, Midshipman just missed when stretched out around two turns in his last, and now receives a positive rider switch from Tyler Baze to Gomez.

Juvenile Picks: 1st Midshipman; 2nd Square Eddie; 3rd Bushranger; 4th Munnings.

In the Juvenile Turf, the top North American based runners all drew poorly outside, so side with invader Westphalia. The Aidan O’Brien trainee has put in a very solid campaign, with his only poor start coming over extremely soft ground. He certainly won’t find that kind of turf here, although we may get a good read on his class by what Bushranger does one race earlier as Bushranger finished just ahead of Westphalia when they met in mid-July.

Juvenile Turf Picks: 1st Westphalia; 2nd Grand Adventure; 3rd Bittel Road; 4th Skipadate.

In the Sprint, Midnight Lute must avoid losing the race at the start – which has proven his Achilles heel – and he should be rolling down the center of the track in search of a repeat in this race.

Sprint Picks: 1st Midnight Lute; 2nd Fabulous Strike; 3rd In Summation; 4th First Defence.

In the Turf, Grand Couturier stands America’s best chance, although he will find the waters considerably deeper than what he has soundly defeated in his last pair of tries.

Turf Picks: 1st Soldier of Fortune; 2nd Eagle Mountain; 3rd Red Rocks; 4th Grand Couturier.