It’s Post Time with Joe Kristufek: Road Map to Breeders’ Cup

Throughout the spring, we all watch in earnest as the nation’s top 3-year-olds vie for a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
As spring turns to summer and then fall, a new target emerges for horses of all ages; sprinters, routers and turf horses alike.
The 31st Breeders’ Cup World Championships, horse racing’s Super Bowl, will be held on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
There are 13 Breeders’ Cup races with combined purses of $26 million.
Eclipse Awards in all categories are on the line, including Horse of the Year, where two-time defending champion Wise Dan will try to fend off legitimate challenges from Shared Belief, California Chrome, Untapable and perhaps even Bayern.
Let’s draw a fall map to the Breeders’ Cup and offer some landmark pointers.
5. Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series
The “Win and You're In” races began in earnest in June and the final, and arguably most significant, U.S. preps will be run the end of September and early October.
4. The Venues
Three major venues grab the fall spotlight - Belmont in the East, Keeneland in the Midwest and Santa Anita, the home of the 2014 Breeders' Cup, in the West.
Keeneland, the host track for next year’s Breeders' Cup, has reverted back to a dirt main track, making its prep races more important than they had been in recent years. 
3. The Races - Fall U.S. Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races
Saturday, Sept. 27
BelmontVosburgh Invitational Stakes - Xpressbet SprintFlower Bowl Invitational Stakes - Filly and Mare TurfJoe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes - TurfJockey Club Gold Cup Stakes - Classic
BELMONT HOSTS FOUR BREEDERS' CUP CHALLENGE RACES ON SEPT. 27

Santa AnitaChandelier Stakes - Juvenile FilliesRodeo Drive Stakes - Filly and Mare TurfFrontRunner Stakes - JuvenileZenyatta Stakes - DistaffAwesome Again Stakes - Classic
Friday, Oct. 3 
KeenelandStoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes - Xpressbet SprintDarley Alcibiades Stakes - Juvenile Fillies
Saturday, Oct. 4
KeenelandShadwell Turf Mile Stakes - MileThoroughbred Club of America Stakes - Filly and Mare SprintClaiborne Breeders’ Futurity - Juvenile
Belmont Frizette Stakes - Juvenile FilliesFoxwoods Champagne Stakes - Juvenile
SANTA ANITA HOSTS THE BREEDERS' CUP THIS YEAR

Santa AnitaSanta Anita Sprint Championship Stakes - Xpressbet Sprint
Sunday, Oct. 5
KeenelandDixiana Bourbon Stakes - Juvenile TurfJuddmonte Spinster Stakes - Distaff
Thursday, Oct. 9
KeenelandJ. P. Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes - Juvenile Fillies Turf
KEENELAND IS A MAJOR FALL VENUE

2. The Horses
What is the trainer's intention in the final prep? 
Is it to prove that the horse belongs or to simply tighten the screws for the big day?
A horse like California Chrome is a perfect example. Off since his failed run at the Triple Crown, he returned to action more than three months later in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby and failed to keep up with front-running winner Bayern.
He’s headed home to California for the big dance and with six weeks of serious training ahead of him, perhaps his A-game will resurface in the Classic.
Remember, a win in the Breeders' Cup can go a long way in determining divisional Eclipse Awards and Horse of the Year honors.
1. Strength of Field
How strong was the field going in, following the running of the race would you upgrade or downgrade the performance and how does it all relate to the actual race each individual will be running in on Breeders' Cup day?
Pay even closer attention to pace, track bias and trips. 
Once again using the Pennsylvania Derby as an example, the track was super fast that day, the rail was good and Bayern was allowed to dictate terms on the front end through moderate fractions.
That being said, he did break the track record that day and looked awfully good doing it.
Will trainer Bob Baffert take a swing at the $5 million Classic at 1 ¼ miles with Bayern or cut back to the Dirt Mile for far less money?
These are the storylines worth following!
It’s the second season.
Championships are on the line.
Breeders’ Cup is the best betting weekend of the year.