Fans of the international turf eagerly await the season-ending Breeders' Cup World Championships, held annually late in the fall at a racetrack in North America. The concept, which was the brainchild of leading thoroughbred owner and breeder John R. Gaines, has not yet been emulated in India although the location where the selected events are held varies each year, much like the Indian Turf Invitation Cup does. There is no set pattern but of late Santa Anita in California has been much in favour and a new location, where the Breeders' Cup has never been contested before, has been pencilled in for 2015 – and that is Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.

From its inception in 1984 till 2006, all the championship events were contested on a single day, usually a Saturday. From 2007, the programme was extended to two days – a Friday card followed by the defining Saturday card. This year's renewal is slated for this weekend. Friday (October 31^st) sees four Breeders Cup races while Saturday (November 1^st) – will feature nine such events – concluding with the most highly anticipated contest, the Breeders Cup Classic.

The first of the Breeders Cup races, and the sixth on the long 10-race programme, is the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf (1 mile, T., 2:25 p.m.) which has drawn a full field of 14, plus a pair of "also eligibles" who will not get in unless there are late defections. Although American-trained, Hootenanny (by Quality Road) is owned by the Coolmore partners and has Frankie Dettori booked – the colt is a 3 to 1 chance. One never underestimates a Ballydoyle runner and the experienced War Envoy (by War Front), though winless at his last 6 starts, has the inestimable advantage of having Ryan Moore to guide his fortunes.

Except when unplaced in France, Aktabantay (by Oasis Dream) has been most consistent and may be given another chance with Olivier Peslier up, while Juddmonte's Commemorative (by Zamindar) can add some spice to the finish. Hootenanny's stablemate, Luck Of The Kittens (by Kitten's Joy), from the barn of Wesley Ward is probably the best of the rest – he also has a win over the track.

Forty minutes later, ten specialist milers will contest the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile (1 mile, 3:05 p.m.) and last year's winner of this very race under Rafael Bejarano, Goldencents (by Into Mischief) is a warm order here at Evens. In the first two at all four of his starts in 2014, he is now with Leandro Mora (original trainer Doug O'Neill faces a suspension), but will have the same rider aboard. Prominent owner Kaleem Shah – nephew of Western India stalwart Syed Shah – has the Martin Garcia-ridden  Fed Biz (by Giant's Causeway) enjoying home track advantage as an inmate of Bob Baffert's stable.

To be ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Tapiture (by Tapit) is a high-class customer from the East – he is schooled by Steve Asmussen. Also from the Atlantic coast comes Vicar's In Trouble (by Into Mischief), with Johnny Velazquez in the irons for Michael Maker. As it's extremely unlikely that all four of these will run below par, one feels the ultimate winner has been mentioned and it would be nice if it were to be Fed Biz. Somehow the achievements of his owner, whose father trained Indian Derby winners Our Select, Nijinsky and Bright Hanovar, have not found mention in the Indian Turf media.

Next up is the fillies counterpart of the juvenile mile, the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (1 mile, T., 3:50 p.m.) which likewise has drawn a full field of 14, plus a pair of "also eligibles". Trainer Chad Brown has done well at the Breeders Cup and has pitched in the unbeaten Lady Eli (by Divine Park), a 6 to 1 shot with regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. at the controls. Wesley Ward thought enough of Sunset Glow (by Exchange Rate) that he took her to Royal Ascot, where her runner-up effort was commendable. Since then she has run twice and was victorious on both occasions, most recently in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (Gr.1). Victor Espinoza continues his association with the 11 to 4 hope.

Higher rated than this pair are Europeans Osaila (by Danehill Dancer) from Richard Hannon Jr.'s East Everleigh Stables, with Frankie Dettori in charge, and the Ballydoyle-trained – but not Coolmore-owned – Qualify (by Fastnet Rock), again with Ryan Moore doing duty. Marc de Chambure's  Sivoliere (by Sea The Stars), though raced exclusively in France till now has been relocated to the barn of Chad Brown and will have the vastly-experienced Gary Stevens to guide her fortunes. Lightly-raced Isabella Sings will try and launch the stud career of her sire, Eskendereya, and needs mention because Todd Pletcher has shipped her across the continent and has engaged Johnny V.

On ratings, this appears to be another race whose trophy is likely to be headed to a mantelpiece in Europe.

Bringing the B.C. programme to a close for the afternoon is the Longines Breeders Cup Distaff (9 fur., 4:35 p.m.) which has 11 declared to race. Untapable (by Tapit) has the same connections as Tapiture mentioned earlier and is unbeaten against females this year – her lone loss came against colts. Overall she is 7 from 10 in her career. Aiming to upset the apple cart is Juddmonte's Close Hatches (by First Defence), who ran below par when trying to make all last time out. She too can boast of a great score-line – 9 wins from 13 starts – and was runner-up in this race to Beholder last year.

Others that have been matching strides with this pair are Belle Gallantey (by After Market) and Don't Tell Sophia (by Congaree) and it would not totally surprise if either popped up – but both would need a career-best effort to prevail. The presence on dirt of the European-trained L'Amour De Ma Vie (by Dansili), to steer whom Maxime Guyon has come over from France, is intriguing. Mme. Pia Brandt's much travelled ward has scored on Fibresand apart from turf but this is a whole new ballgame. And the 16 to 1 odds reflect that. Will Tapiture seal the deal for "three-year-old filly of the year" or will Close Hatches make amends for her defeat in 2013? It's too close to call.

Saturday's sport will be covered in a separate piece.

$1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) 
2-year-old colts & geldings            
1 Mile (Turf) 

  
$1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1)
3-year-olds & up
1 Mile