Santa Anita’s pro-ride surface was praised by Gary Stevens, a Hall of Fame American jockey. Stevens has won every big race in the world and has been observing the new surface closely and expressed his opinion in an interview.

“It is very kind. It’s sort of spongy and I would say it is a cross between a dirt surface and turf. It is fair. It has not favored front horses and it hasn’t helped come-from-behinders and form has held up very well. There is very little kickback and that’s why the Europeans should do well at Santa Anita.”

Jockey Stevens let out his thoughts on the Breeders’ Cup Classic in which Curlin, Horse of the Year in 2007, is the 14-10 favorite. Stevens said, “I like the chances of Raven’s Pass. I spoke to Frankie Dettori and he liked the way Raven’s Pass handled the Lingfield (track in England-all weather) turns and the surface. It is not the one horse race that fans believe it is for Curlin.”

Raven’s Pass, trained by John Gosden, comes off a victory in the 1600-metre Q E II Cup at Ascot in late September. Jockey Jimmy Fortune will not ride because Saturday would be his first day after a 10-day ban. Fortune has said that he may not be ready after being on the sidelines for 10 days. Trainer Gosden has asked Dettori to ride.

Curlin is now a general 2-1 in the British betting market. Trainer Asmussen has expressed confidence of an unusual kind. “We are not worried about who the others are. Curlin will run his race.”

Aidan O’Brien sends out Duke of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator who have dominated Group I races in Europe this year. The Duke was beaten in the Arc at Longchamp on a surface that did not suit him. Henry was beaten by Raven’s Pass in the Q E II Cup. Like Curlin and Raven’s Pass, Duke and Henry will race on pro-ride for the first time.

On Friday, there are five BC races. Indian Blessing should be the rage in the Filly-mare sprint over 1400 metres. Fourteen go and it is a million-dollar purse. Indian Blessing won the Filly-juvenile last year at Monmouth Park. Bob Baffert has shown optimism and has said that his filly is training forwardly.

Laragh is the lukewarm 7-2 choice in the BC Juvenile fillies race. It is over 1600 metres on the grass. Twelve go. The purse is one million dollars.

Stardom Bound, Mike Smith up, is a strong 2-1 chalk in the BC race for freshman fillies. The race is over 1700 metres on pro-ride. Thirteen go postward.

The BC Filly-mare turf over 2000 metres is wide open. Ten will answer the starter’s call. Wait A While is the 3-1 morning line favorite. Halfway To Heaven, recent Sun Chariot winner at Newmarket, is 4-1 and will be ridden by John Murtagh. Mauralakana is 5-1 and has had a very productive year.

The BC Ladies’ Classic has eight runners. The unbeaten Zenyatta goes for her ninth consecutive win. The purse is two million dollars. The race is over 1800 metres. Zenyatta is the 3-5 choice. She is 8-11 in Britain. Ginger Punch is the second choice at 9-2.

We now move to Saturday. The BC Marathon has nine runners. Sixties Icon comes in ready. Frankie Dettori will ride the Jeremy Noseda-trained star. The distance is 2400 metres. I saw the Ascot race in late September and Sixties Icon, away tardily, ran on strongly to deliver the goods. Sixties Icon has been installed the 2-1 favorite.

Fourteen will go to post in the BC Turf sprint over 1300 metres. Get Funky is the 9-2 market leader. Fleeting Spirit is at 5-1 and comes off a fifth place finish in the Prix Abbaye on October 5. Fleeting Spirit, a filly, will get a sex allowance and will be handled by John Murtagh.

The BC Dirt mile is headed by Well Armed who is the 3-1 choice. Aaron Gryder rides. Alberto Maximus is at 4-1 and will have Garrett Gomez. Well Armed is in sparkling form and is my pick.

Goldikova, the France-based filly, is favored to beat the boys in the 1600-metre BC Mile turf. Freddie Head trains Goldikova. Oliver Peslier comes in to ride. In the Prix Moulin, Goldikova beat the males decisively. Kip Deville defends his title. Another who merits attention is Whatsthescript, a 4-1 chance.

The BC Juvenile over 1700 metres for colts and geldings is an open affair. Munnings is the 7-2 favorite. Square Eddie is being fancied by many pundits. Bushranger is a 6-1 chance. The David Wachman-trained Bushranger won the Middle Park Stakes recently. Thirteen go postward.

Bittel Road is the 7-2 choice in the BC Juvenile Turf. Twelve go. Coronet Of A Baron is the 9-2 second favorite.

Street Boss is likely to carry the public purse in the BC Sprint over 1200 metres. Nine go. Midnight Lute, winner of this race in 2007, is back to defend the title.

The BC Turf has eleven answering the starter’s call. Soldier Of Fortune is the 7-2 choice. John Murtagh rides. Colm O’Donoghue rides Red Rock Canyon who is likely to set the pace. Red Rocks and Better Talk Now, two past winners, are in the field. Grand Couturier is there. Winchester, runaway winner in the Secretariat at Arlingtron, checks in. Conduit, the English St Leger hero, represents Sir Michael Stoute. Ryan Moore is aboard. Eagle Mountain is there as well.

The five-million dollar BC Classic should see Curlin go postward as a firm choice. Twelve run. Raven’s Pass is a 6-1 morning line choice. Duke of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator are at 10-1 in the Santa Anita morning line.

I type this early Wednesday morning. The trip to Los Angeles from Chicago takes four hours. From the airport, I have to board a shuttle bus to go to the hotel. BC events are exciting. There is a trainer-jockey meeting on Thursday. There is a media party Thursday afternoon. Friday and Saturday are racing days. Fourteen races in all and it is a marathon.