All times GMT
2235: So what have we learned today? Rip Van Winkle is on course, firmly on course for the Classic. Aidan O'Brien is unusually bullish over him. Freddie Head still won't hear of defeat for Goldikova and chicken and beef in barbeque sauce combine well with salad. On that bombshell, until 1300 GMT on Thursday, I bid you farewell.
2230: Still not convinced that's Spanish Moon in Linfoot's arty shot.
2227: Gonna watch the fourth then head back to Pasadena. Getting old? Moi? May back Scotty's good thing in the seventh on the way out.
2220: Just been down to see the saddling area for the next. The horses all wait until everyone is saddled before going into the parade ring in racecard order. Thank goodness they didn't do that for this year's Investec Derby!
2208: Odds-on shot Michael's Rose has hosed up. He wasn't number seven.
2206: We're on the turf here. Most exciting. Don't like the way number seven is travelling.
2144: Just stood up to go to the toilet and the Rocky theme tune sounded out. How did they know?
2140: It's clouded over a tad here. Where's that jumper I needlessly brought yesterday? 1/25 on the hotel bathroom floor.
2139: Old Freddie Head can't stop talking up Goldikova. Today's verdict from the great man is: "You need a bit of luck in a race like this but I'm very confident. She's very well. I think she's in the best form I've seen her in".
2135: It's a thriller. The front-running Live Sundays holds off the fast-finishing Euroglide. The symbol next to One Track Mind clearly means 'dont touch with a bargepole'.
2128: If you're trying to work out what the picture is in the middle of the pop-up it is an arty shot of Spanish Moon. Well that's what Ben Linfoot tells me.
2120: Going down for the next. Euroglide is our favourite. I'm favouring One Track Mind who has a strange symbol next to his name in the racecard.
2113: Gosden was pleased with that Rainbow View work, which seems oh so long ago!
He said: "She's training very well and likes the main track. She worked in 1:00 4/5 and I'm happy with that. I was very pleased with how she moved out on the track".
2110: Just been handed the Barn Notes which you can find on our excellent microsite! Anyway, interesting stuff from John Gosden.
The Filly & Mare Turf had been considered for Da Re Mi but he says: "The problem is the mile-and-a-quarter here rides like nine furlongs. She's a mile-and-a-half filly".
2105: I could claim the winner for $32,000. What would he cost to get home as excess baggage?
2102: Yes he won!! In the last-stride having looked a 20/1 chance turning in and most reluctant. One from one. I'm on fire. Glad I didn't back him. I'd have had a stroke.
2101: We're off!
2100: 2/5 the Ord tip and Baffert-trained favourite. Great judge of American horse flesh me.
2058: The guy next to me has had a chat to Jose Valdivia Jr, the jockey on number six, Scone, on the way to the start. Now the Pink Panther theme is playing somewhere. Today has taken a surreal twist.
2056: Scotty's tip is a half-brother to Lion Heart. I now have a racecard.
2054: Scotty in Calgary is getting his Breeders' Cup ammunition ready. He writes: "Get the coffers for Breeders Cup heading in the right direction by pummeling the Tabor horse in the 7th today, Connemara !! M/L is 8/5... lump on, not seen a 2 yr old win as well as this did first time out !! then parlay everything onto Informed Decision in the Filly Mare Sprint !!!"
OMG. Cheers sir. OMG.
2053: Big fan of the saddle cloths over here. Much bigger than in Blighty.
2052: Heading to post and I have a chocolate and almond tart in my hand. Please. Does it get any better than this?
2051: Smattering of applause for the fanfare. It's nearly post time.
2050: OMG as I'm prone to saying. Nearly time for my first live Santa Anita race. It's a maiden claimer for two-year-olds and Bob 'The Hair' Baffert runs Onemoreforach.
2045: John Sandys is a top man. He's at the London Racing Club Breeders' Cup Preview Evening. At the latest count he has nine bankers! Nearly there.
2032: Just left my seat for the raising of the flag of the United States Of America. Back in it now.
2030: Lunchtime on the back stretch. I've had a salad. With Beef. And chicken. Sorry.
2025: Just realised I made a woeful error earlier. Spanish Moon is the horse with the stalls phobia - not Zacinto. Apologies to the latter!
2010: He's turning for home already. Panic over. Panic over.
2005: A rotund man is now on the track and has set off to jog a circuit at a sedate pace. Hope he quickens up. First race is in an hour!
1953: Frankie Dettori is a man on very good terms with himself. He has a strong book of rides and says: "All pretty much have good chances and I am looking forward to it.
"I am positive but they are still championship races and are hard to win, but it is nice to have horses with a chance.
"We are in the melting pot and hopefully something can come out of it. They are not certainties, but they are not outsiders and have live chances."
He is 5/1 to ride a treble over the two days with Sky Bet.
1949: They're watering the pro-ride track here in blistering Californian sunshine. I'm sorry. I honestly am!
1940: It's race time somewhere in the US. Just heard Mark Johnson roar one home somewhere.
1935: Michael Moran has one for Dean Tempest in his bid to get to the £1500. He writes: "dave tell dean to have a look at silent act at kempton backed it last time won well go close again tonight".
1930: We start here at 1pm local time - 2100 GMT. Bob Baffert has the favourite in the first. Will win apparently.
1922: I'm sure I've just seen Johnny Murtagh jog past me on the main track wearing a black shell suit and gloves. Hope they were normal mushrooms I had for breakfast.
1920: Rainbow View's was the fourth fastest piece of work today behind Orient Emperor, Jimmy Da Brick and Evening Jewel.
1916: There's only $9,500.77 in the Pick Four pool today. Sense that's low. How long to first race? I genuinely don't know.
1915: I've got to say, the strongest word I've been getting of late is for Gayego in the Sprint. Timeform reckon he has eight pounds to find with Zensational and seven on Fleeting Spirit.
I turned to Bob Bradley, my US guru, for guidance.
He reports: "Everyone likes the thrill of a closer and his last run over course and distance 4 weeks ago was breath-taking. Sprint usually has a ton of pace and he looks like the best closer to run by them all in the straight. Track has not been kind to front runners either and the two favourites Zen and Fatal Bullet will be on the lead."
1910: Panic over regarding Californian Flag who was tearing around loose earlier today. He lost his exercise rider after a schooling session at the stalls but trainer Brian Koriner reports all to be well with his star.
1906: Rainbow View the sole European runner to have been clocked at work this morning. She covered three furlongs in 36 4/5 seconds. I don't know who that compares overall but it was a second-and-a-half faster than Free Flying Soul recorded for the same trip.
1903: Interesting stuff on Mastercraftsman too. He won't be going forward from stall one in the Dirt Mile it seems.
AOB, as he'd never let me call him, said: "I don't think stall one will be a problem. Mastercraftsman's best ever run was over six furlongs and he wants a real hard, fast pace, which he should get in the Mile.
"I hope that at halfway he's not too far back. I think they will go that fast that you're best saving ground than being drawn on the wide outside.
"He's not used to racing over a mile at Polytrack pace but at Ascot, when we put loads of speed on, Johnny let him roll from halfway. He'll probably come from halfway again and hopefully get there in time."
1900: It seems the injury scare of yesterday is now firmly in the back of all minds. O'Brien adding after his gentle morning breeze: "I was very happy, having been a little worried about Rip, as the journey took a lot out of him. He's had a long, hard season but I was very happy with him this morning.
"It was the first time he'd had someone on his back since arriving in America and he didn't lose the movement. I like to see them having a good sweat after travelling and being in quarantine for so long - it gets the system clear.
"Rip is one of those horses who has no problems sweating. I'd have been more worried if he had not have been sweaty.
"His foot seems fine. There was a little bit of an issue on his off-hind - and that's one area that we haven't had a problem with before - but everyone's happy with it and it's been good the last week.
"He's a horse who is very exuberant and you could see from his action this morning that he was moving well."
1856: I told you Aidan O'Brien was bullish this morning. Here are the quotes regarding Rip Van Winkle's chances of winning the Classic.
He said: "He's probably the most natural athlete we've ever had. I have to be careful talking about him as the feel we got out of him this morning maybe makes you say too much.
"He hadn't been on this surface (Pro-Ride) until this morning, but he floated on it and is a beautiful mover. I suppose I've no doubt in the world that he is our best chance in the Classic, if the season hasn't taken its toll.
"If he's anywhere close to how he was at Ascot or Goodwood, then you'd hope and dream that he can win."
I told you he was talking a good fight!
1851: The debate over the pro-ride surface here continues to rage on. It's the lead piece in today's racing column in USA Today (no racecards published).
In it Mine That Bird's trainer Chip Woolley questions whether synthetic surfaces are any safer for horses than dirt.
He told the paper: "They thought this was going to be some kind of miracle cure, and it's just not. Horses were born to run on grass and dirt".
1849: It's Rip Van Winkle for Timeform in the Classic. He's 147 to Zenyatta's 145. Gio Ponti and Summer Bird the next highest at 140.
1845: Just been handed the Timeform ratings for Friday and Saturday. Interesting reading. Goldikova (149) is seven pounds clear of Delegator and the rest in the Mile, Mastercraftsman (143) a whopping eight clear of the next highest in the Dirt Mile.
And I think he's an awful price!
1842: Goldikova out to 6/4 for the Mile now at Coral. Freddie Head not worried about the wide draw. It seems others are.
1837: Stuart From Cambridge has an interesting view.
He writes: "Is this not the beauty of Racing, we all have opinions, as Alistair points out, Curlin last year, off the bend he hit the front, but his stride was shortening and the writing was on the wall, having had, a long, much travelled campaign, this time RVW has had a long season going right back to Newmarket in May,
"I'm in the ZENYATTA camp, @ 6/1ew with Ladbrokes, to date her stride has never shortened, winning with her ears pricked, the fractions of last years CLASSIC to LADIES CLASSIC @ the 3/4 mark are exactly the same 1.11, if and yes a big if ZENYATTA, hits top gear covering the last 2 furlongs in 22/23 seconds, having in the past reached speeds of 40mph, she will take some stopping."
I don't know where I am with the big two in the Classic Stuart. I really don't. I wasn't a big Rip Van Winkle man first thing this morning (no - don't go there) but Aidan O'Brien was very, very upbeat today.
1835: Arguably more interesting about Spanish Moon. Don't forget he's banned from racing in England for refusing to go into the stalls. No problems anticipated here.
Stoute reports: ""The stalls in America are only marginally bigger than European ones, but Spanish Moon went in brilliantly in France the last day and went straight in today."
Fingers crossed Fallon fans.
1832: Little Mickey from Barbados to Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute for the rest of us, is here. Not the most eyecatching quotes you'll see about Conduit and Zacinto but here we go:
"Conduit and Zacinto cantered round the track and will have a breeze tomorrow morning.
"We then took them through the parade ring and the saddling enclosure to familiarise them with their surroundings, which is something that we always do.
"The King George was always Conduit's main summer target, and he went on to run well in the Arc.
"He's only had four races this season and to bring him back here was always the obvious thing to do.
"Zacinto earned his place here in the QEII - his last performance was his best and he's on the up."
1831: All quiet here now. Two tractors are out on the pro-ride repairing the surface. What time's the first race? It's 1030 apparently on Friday. I may miss it. Especially if clockers corner continue to churn out their excellent breakfast baps!
1830: Dean Tempest is a fellow blogger. Well worth a read too as he looks to raise £1500 through gambling. However the fact he asks for my two best bets suggests it will end in failure!
1822: Cecil appears sweet on Father Time - especially with regards to taking revenge on his St Leger conqueror Mastery. He says: "The course and the distance will suit Father Time in the Marathon and I think he could run very well.
"I think he can finish closer to the St Leger winner (Mastery) as he does quicken and has a bit of class."
He's not my favourite horse in training - not by a long chalk - but he's a player here.
1820: A message on the big screen says: "Grandstand admission to the Breeders' Cup $10. It's the best buy in sports". It could well be right.
1818: A slight concern for those of us who believe Twice Over is a big price at 20/1 for the Classic. Henry Cecil reports: "They travelled really well, although Twice Over didn't travel as good as the other two.
1813: Have we got a competition for you. Fancy winning £5K in our Breeders' Cup Tipster Challenge?. That's what's on offer.
"He was a little edgy but has been fine since he arrived here and settled down."
Keep him calm maestro. Keep him calm.
1810: Malcolm writes: "Hope you're well mate and that you don't get put ondrugs for the gig at the weekend....latex or playtex whatever they call the damn stuff over there!"
Don't worry sir - just the usual combination of blood pressure pills and Slimfast!
1805: Michael Moran is one of the good guys. He writes: "hi dave or should i say 'howdy' had a good day today nice winner at chepstow ,dance island 7/1 tasty, is there any news on the brazilian horse in the classic good vibes on atr tonight thanks".
Not heard anything Michael, but will track it down for you. On the track right now a horse is standing alone with at least 20 photographers surrounding him or her. It isn't Rip Van Winkle. Zenyatta is my guess. Seems very relaxed.
1803: Sorry about that - but the great news is Rip Van Winkle is fine! Aidan O'Brien reports no problems with his foot, the horse was warm but that's exactly how the trainer wanted him to be. The master of Ballydoyle was almost bullish, definitely heading towards bullish.
1800: Good news Winkle pickers. Rip is ready to roar.
1720: Right heading off to the barns. Some interesting Sky Bet specials first though. They're now betting on Dettori/Murtagh/Moore trebles, Which runner will win first at the Breeders' Cup meeting and several Kieren Fallon specials. Well worth a look.
1719: Alistair in Ipswich writes: "I think Rip is a rather tasty proposition in the Classic, and I hopefully will get a decent local price. I think that last year showed with Ravens Pass and Henrythenavigator that the surface is not a problem, and the trip is definitely not, we have to remember that RVW ran with credit in the Derby earlier this year. As for Zenyatta, anyone remember a certain Curlin last year, American favourite who was trounced in the end!"
I'd wait for the American odds at the moment sir. 7-2 is the morning line forecast out here.
1717: Chat's over. I'm a broken man. A broken man. I may take Alan Fitzpatrick's advice. He writes: "missisng breakie twice? thats not on. Pick yourself up a few twinkies en route!!"
1710: Breaking off from the chat - which is exhausting me - to say California Flag is running loose out on the track. Going a real lick too. Favourite for the Turf Sprint.
1500: Ladies and gentlemen - we're chatting. Well me and Robbie are. Join us here!.
1355: Pink shirt on today. I'm the Gok Wan of Santa Anita. Heading off to brekkers now, then the track, then chat. TTFN.
1320: Right. Shower time. Chat in less than two hours. It's here is the chat. I'm worried about the chat. Golf guru Dave Tindall always gets lots more chatters than I do.
1312: They're racing at Santa Anita this afternoon. Interesting to get an early feel of the place. Will pass on any gossip about that action. Main focus the Breeders' though. It is the World Championships after all!
1310: Just realised this chat, have I mentioned it to you, our chat? means I won't be able to wait for the hot breakfast. Two days running that. Not like me. Not like me at all.
1305: Clive Morris asks what the weather is like over here now. It's dark sir. All I can see is the garage forecourt. Good business again it seems. Lots of truckers in shorts and small, squat delivery men. I feel like an extra on KingOf Queens.
1300: Good morning team. Again laid on king-size bed, wearing only boxers and a cheeky grin. Probably even more inappropriate that I'm going to remind you of the web chat at 1500 your time. It's to talk all things Breeders' Cup. Get it? Racing stuff please. I will talk food and drink at a push. But mainly racing.
