SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -

John Pricci

Although six weeks remain until Breeders' Cup XXIII, what happens in the next four at seven different tracks in about two dozen prep races will determine the favorites in the eight races and the chances of the world's best thoroughbreds to win Eclipse championships.

We can't remember a time when racing's greatest day was more widely anticipated. Despite the sport's travails, it has been a tremendous year for what has happened between the fences at America's racetracks. And as always, the European invasion will make this year's event even better.

Of the Top 10 thoroughbreds ranked in the September 17 National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll, seven are scheduled to compete on the Churchill Downs' record $20-million World Championships program on Saturday, Nov. 4.

The remarkable Barbaro will be missed, of course. So might the Belmont Park-loving defending sprint champion Silver Train, an expected Vosburgh starter Oct. 7, and Invasor, who has a date with Bernardini in that same afternoon's Jockey Club Gold Cup. Not Breeders' Cup eligible, much will depend on how he measures up to the sensational 3-year-old and whether members of the Maktoum family would risk testing each other's horses again with so much at stake.

The late-season road to Louisville begins this weekend in New York with the Futurity and Matron for juvenile colts and fillies, respectively, and the Super Derby, a Grade 2 at 9 furlongs for 3-year-olds, at Louisiana Downs. While this renewal may not be as meaningful as editions past, it will be an interesting sectional battle bringing together Strong Contender from the East, the West's Point Determined and the Midwest's Lawyer Ron. These events should provide a splendid tease for what's to come in the weeks ahead.

The following are thumbnail sketches of accomplished performers and/or intriguing championship prospects, listed by division:

Juvenile Fillies: When considering 2-year-old development, six weeks can be a lifetime. Thus far, Adirondack winner Octave made a very favorable impression with a strong rally, change-of-pace performance. Todd Pletcher can either train this filly up to the Breeders' Cup or use Belmont's Frizette on Oct. 14 as a stepping stone. Bob Baffert has a top prospect in Del Mar Debutante winner Point Ashley, owning the pedigree power to match her considerable potential.

Under-the-radar Midwestern fillies might have something to say at long odds. Devil House is 3-for-4, bred to run long and currently is working bullets at Fonner Park. Dreaming of Anna, trained by Wayne Catalano, is 3-for-3 and has won on turf and dirt and going long at three different racetracks. Michael Stidham's Sutra is bred long on both sides and just missed in her stakes debut, the Arlington Park Lassie, following a wide middle move over a sloppy track in only her second lifetime start.

Juvenile Colts: Both events for 2-year-olds will be contested around two turns at 1 1/16 miles. Pletcher again has a top prospect in undefeated Grade 1 Hopeful winner Circular Quay and is 2-for-2 at the Downs including winning the Bashford Manor. He will be trained up to the Juvenile.

The well-bred Horse Greeley impressed winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Futurity for Richard Mandella as if there were more to come. Passport is 2-for-2 for Frank Brothers, bred beautifully (Pulpit, from Trip, by Lord At War), and working brilliantly at Churchill. Bill Mott has the 2-for-2 Got The Last Laugh, a dead-heat winner of the Arlington Washington Futurity with Officer Rocket, the latter by Distorted Humor and 3-for-4 lifetime for Bob Holthus.

Sprint: 3-year-old Henny Hughes is simply brilliant, a Grade 1 winner, and will receive a weight concession from his elders. Loves to run fresh and will be trained up to the race by Kieran McLaughlin. Even at this early stage, however, the always extremely contentious contest gives handicappers a headache.

The not-so-short list includes the remarkably consistent Siren Lure; brilliant hundred-grand Jack Carava claim Pure As Gold; the Marty Wolfson-trained Pomeroy; 3-year-old speedster Too Much Bling; filly stablemate Behaving Badly; Churchill-loving finisher Court Folly and the lightly raced Bordonaro. If for any reason Discreet Cat unexpectedly answers the starter's bell, forget the rest, skip the Excedrin.

Filly & Mare Turf: The only race anyone wants to see would be between utterly remarkable Ouija Board, winner of this race in 2004, runner-up last year and seemingly better with age, against Gorella, who may be better at less than 11 furlongs but who may possess the best turn of late foot we've seen from a filly in a decade.

The Mile: It's Neil Drysdale's dual Grade 1 winner Aragorn vs. Aidan O'Brien's George Washington, Araafa, and the rest of a European contingent that usually dominates this race. Interesting to see which way Barclay Tagg goes with Showing Up, talented runner-up to the older Cacique when taken out of his game in the recent 11-furlong Man o' War.

Distaff: Like mentor D. Wayne Lukas, Pletcher has a way with the fillies. Take your pick among Fleet Indian, Pool Land and Spun Sugar. In his way stands Shug McGaughey and 3-year-old divisional leader Pine Island, a lightly raced runner-up in the Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks and winner of the Alabama and Gazelle this summer, all Grade 1. Most likely she will be trained up to the Distaff. She might be the most talented distaffer in the group but relative inexperience and age could work against her.

Turf: Shirocco is enjoying an excellent European campaign and will seek a repeat victory in this race. Ivan Denisovich will represent the ubiquitous O'Brien operation. America's best hopes appear to be Bobby Frankel's improving Cacique, Pletcher's developing English Channel, Showing Up, and a remarkable pair of veterans, 7-year-old Miesque's Approval and the 8-year-old Arlington Million winner, The Tin Man. Expect Cacique to train up to the race while The Tin Man figures to prep in the Clement Hirsch at Santa Anita next weekend.

Classic: It will be Indeed, if it attracts Bernardini, Invasor, 6-for-6 in '06 Lava Man, and Europeans David Junior, already a winner on three continents, and Dylan Thomas, whose presence in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in two weeks makes the Classic prep the race of the year. The interesting subplot here is the battle of European mega-rivals John Magnier and Sheikh Mohammed. Thirty-seven days, and counting.

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