Checking in on Breeders' Cup Turf and Mile contenders

With the Breeders' Cup only six weeks away, and the last round of prep races just ahead, it's a good time to check in on the marquee older-horse divisions on the lawn.

Let's see how the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) fields are shaping up, and what is in store between now and the end of the prep season.

Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)

Last year, Magical she spiked a temperature a few days before the 2019 Breeders' Cup, was declared out of the Turf, and retired to broodmare duty.

It's a year later, there's no foal on the way, and the 5-year-old Galileo mare is perhaps better than ever.

She started her season with triumphs in the Pretty Polly (G1) and the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1). Though she ran three lengths adrift of turf division dynamo Ghayyath in the Juddmonte International (G1), Magical turned the tables on him Sept. 12 in the Irish Champion (G1), where she earned her "Win and You're In" bid to the Breeders' Cup.

Magical's previous trip to Kentucky turned out well. In the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, she ran second, beaten only three-quarters of a length, behind Enable in her prime.

Ghaiyyath still leads the international market for the Turf, with odds varying from 7-4 to 3-1, depending on bookmaker. Even dominant 3-year-old filly Love and Enable are ahead in the market over Magical, though this picture will firm up after the final "Win and You're In" event for the Turf, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp on Oct. 4.

The Arc is one of three remaining "Win and You're In" races for the Turf.

Sunday at Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, George Washington will face eight for his repeat bid in the Grande Premio Brasil (G1). On Oct. 3, the Belmont Derby (G1) gives 3-year-olds their chance to win a berth in the Turf. Invitees include American Turf (G2) winner Fancy Liquor and Saratoga Derby top pair Domestic Spending and Gufo.

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1)

Though Starship Jubilee came into the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Sept. 25 with five wins from eight starts at the distance, questions remained.

Her only graded stakes win at a mile came in the 2017 Nassau (G2), and her classiest races recently came going longer. She won the E. P. Taylor (G1) last year at 1 1/4 miles, and gamely won the Ballston Spa (G2) at 1 1/16 miles.

Yet, good horses win, and that's exactly what Starship Jubilee did in Woodbine's richest Grade 1, her first race against males since a starter allowance in August of 2018. Under a well-timed ride from Justin Stein, she won with the confidence that the most dedicated milers would envy, and she defeated King Edward (G2) winner March to the Arch and Maker's Mark Mile (G1) victor War of Will.

Even with her consistent season and her victory in one of the most live Breeders' Cup Mile preps in the last 10 years, the international markets remain slanted toward others.

Despite being second best behind Persian King in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) on Sept. 6, impressive Prix Jean Prat (G1) winner Pinatubo is getting the most early action. Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) winner Palace Pier and Distaff Turf Mile (G2) second-place finisher Newspaperofrecord are the next most fancied.

Only one "Win and You're In" race remains for the Breeders' Cup Mile — the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) on Oct. 3 at Keeneland. Marquee names on the nominations list include Fourstardave (G1) winner Halladay, Shoemaker Mile (G1) victor Raging Bull, and authoritative Del Mar Mile (G2) winner Mo Forza