It is another glorious day in Arcadia. Will Curlin be Horse of the Year again? Curlin may be the Horse of the World in 2008. He makes his first start on Santa Anita’s pro-ride surface. So do many others. In the British market, Curlin is as high as 9-4. In America, I do not expect him to be better than even money. There is always the local emotion and in horse racing, seeing is believing. American fans will stay on Curlin’s side.

However, there’s considerable dissent. A section is arguing that, in his last two victories, Curlin was not the Curlin we saw in 2007. He was not ‘impressive.’ I do not agree with this view. Good horses do what is necessary to win. Curlin has held his form for so long and at the highest level and that is something only good ones can do. I am firmly on Curlin’s side. Let me put it this way. In Curlin’s presence, it is very difficult to make a case for any of his opponents.

If Curlin does it, he would be successfully defending his Classic title. Go Between has been in excellent form and has the advantage of being familiar with Santa Anita. The O’Brien pair, Henrythenavigator and Duke of Marmalade, have had extremely strenuous campaigns. Duke goes on Lasix for the first time. John Gosden was expressing confidence in Thursday’s press meeting but the underlying fact that Raven’s Pass will have more on his plate when he takes on Curlin.

At 10.10 AM on Saturday, the first BC race will be run. It is the marathon. Sixties Icon, in splendid form at the moment, should have no trouble with the 2400-metre trip. Yes, the Jeremy Noseda trainee won at lower levels in England but he has considerable back class. Frankie Dettori showed optimism when talking about the Icon on Thursday.

The second BC race is the Turf sprint. It is over 1200 metres. Mr Nightinger seeks five in a row. The Indian Charlie colt will be ridden by James Theriot. It is a wide open race.

Next comes at 11 30 the Dirt mile. Well Armed, Aaron Gryder aboard, is my pick. Trained by Eoin Harty, Well Armed was a strong winner at Santa Anita in late September. The horses Well Armed has tangled with are going in the Classic. Anything over 7-5 is acceptable on Well Armed.

The BC mile comes up next at 12 15 PM. Goldikova, the French filly trained by Freddie Head, is favored to beat the boys. The field includes Kip Deville, winner of this race last year. Goldikova, Olivier Peslier up, has won three in a row. She has already beaten the makes in the Prix Moulin. Her last three wins have come at Longchamp, Deauville and Maison Laffite. Goldikova is 7-4 in Britain. I like the chances of Goldikova. Jockey Peslier comes in for one ride and what a ride it is.

At 12 55 the BC Juvenile over a mile will be run. It is an intriguing contest. Square Eddie, Street Hero and Midshipman head the market.  Bushranger, the European flagbearer, has a chance. John Murtagh is aboard.

Next comes Juvenile Turf over a mile. Bittel Road is three for three and will be fancied. Westphalia from Aidan O’Brien’s yard, checks in with strong credentials. Grand Adventure is fit for the fray and can get into the mix.

The Sprint will be at 2 15 P M. Street Boss, a sensation in California, is the 3-1 choice. Cost Of Freedom is a serious player. Midnight Lute is back to defend his title and it won’t be easy. He is not in the same form that carried him to victory in 2007.

 At 3 P M the 2400-metre turf race will start. There are several here with chances. Soldier of Fortune is ready. Eagle Mountain is in form. Kevin Shea rides for Mike de Kock. Winchester, winner of Arlington’s Secretariat, has Pat Smullen. Red Rocks and Better Talk Now, past winners of the turf, are in the field. My selection is Eagle Mountain. He has come to hand and is peaking at the right time.

The Classic will be run at 3 45 P M. New York is three hours ahead and tracks there may be open until the BC card ends. Europe is eight and nine hours ahead of California. The Classic is a race that a big world audience will watch and wager on.

Casino Drive is at 7-1 and there are many who say that he is unexposed and has a lot more to offer than we think he can. My choice is Curlin. The champion has to be dethroned.

In England, at Doncaster, there is a Group I race for freshman boys-only colts. It is the Racing Post Trophy. Jukebox Jury won the Royal Lodge at Ascot in late September. He is in good shape and is my pick. O;Brien’s Masterofthehorse, Seamus Heffernan up, has a chance. The winner gets 122,623 pounds. The distance is 1600 metres. Royston Ffrench rides the Mark Johnston-trained Jukebox Jury. Post time is 3 35 P M London time.