SELECTIONS:

LONE STAR PARK: 6.20 Nebraska Tornado, 6.55 Sweet Catomine, 7.35 Whipper, 8.10 Gold Storm, 8.45 Ouija Board, 9.20 Consolidator, 9.55 Kitten's Joy, 10.35 Pleasantly Perfect.

Ouija Board can guarantee the European raiding party goes home with at least one Breeders' Cup prize by triumphing in the Filly & Mare Turf at Lone Star Park tomorrow.

The strength of the Ed Dunlop-trained filly's form puts her streets ahead of the opposition and even the 7-4 chalked up by the predictably patriotic British bookies looks a fair bet.

American fillies are rarely asked to punch outside their division, so they lack the sort of hardiness and experience for this sort of championship contest relative to their European counterparts.

Fighting spirit is one thing Ouija Board possesses in abundance and although the going is probably going to be slower than connections would have anticipated a week ago, there is nothing in the form book which says she will not handle it.

Ouija Board has looked a picture since arriving Stateside earlier this week and can prove too quick for the opposition in the final stages.

Powerscourt should put up a big show in the Turf on the strength of the majority of his efforts this season, and the improved recent form of trainer Aidan O'Brien further enhances confidence.

However, on this occasion he may just have to give best to Kitten's Joy, who looks a very solid favourite.

Ex-Brit Magistretti looked useful when winning the Man O'War in September but was blown away by Kitten's Joy when they met in the Turf Classic as the winner flew past in the home straight.

What has got the Americans raving about the selection is his production of consistently brilliant fractions, and any punter who follows the clock will have to put him at the top of their list.

The victory of Six Perfections in last year's Mile was one of the highlights of the meeting at Santa Anita.

But those hoping for a repeat performance from the Pascal Bary-trained filly should be wary about taking too short a price in a race that is littered with potential obstacles.

First and foremost, the Mile always has its hard luck stories and the statistics show just how fortunate Six Perfections was to enjoy a perfect run from her wide draw 12 months ago.

Surely it is too much to expect that she can do it again drawn 11 of 14.

Instead, try an each-way tilt on compatriot Whipper.

His slot in stall one might not work out too badly if the supremely talented Christophe Soumillon can secure a decent pitch on the rails, and he will at least be saving ground around every bend.

Whipper has been aimed at this race for some time and the ground has come for him, having hammered Six Perfections in similar conditions in the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

With the exception of Arazi and Johannesburg, European challengers in the two Juvenile races have tended to come up well short and it may be asking too much to expect more this year.

Sweet Catomine is favourite on reputation in the Juvenile Fillies' but Bob Baffert's charge looked like a tank when she worked on the track earlier this week and has the looks to match her obvious scope. She should probably not be opposed.

The colts' version is probably more open than the odds might suggest and Consolidator is an interesting each-way proposition for his peerless trainer D Wayne Lukas.

Betting on the Sprint cannot really be encouraged this year with a quick break sure to be vital and little course form to go on.

Try local runner Gold Storm - trained on the course at Lone Star by the brilliantly-named Bubba Cascio - to go well at a big price.

The absence of Azeri from the Distaff has opened up the race for Nebraska Tornado.

Her trainer Andre Fabre has a superb record at the Breeders' Cup and she has reportedly been doing plenty of work at home on dirt in preparation for this contest.

Connections have probably been wise in swerving a confrontation with Ouija Board and although the likes of Ashado and Island Fashion represent tough opposition, Nebraska Tornado has form which will put her right in the mix.

Rain-softened ground did not suit her behind Attraction in the Sun Chariot Stakes last time out, but she was not beaten far.

And so on to the Classic, where the popular Azeri will almost certainly be overbet although her chances are probably slim, which offers some value to those prepared to take a risk.

Japanese hope Perfect Drift, an eyecatching 50-1 chance on the morning line, ought to have his supporters with Frankie Dettori booked.

Nick Zito has been exuding plenty of confidence about Ghostzapper, but his charge is unproven over a mile and a quarter, while Perfect Drift comes into the race with plenty of seconds to his name and should be in the shake-up.

However, sometimes punters can spend too much time looking beyond the obvious and Pleasantly Perfect can take his place among the greats by landing back-to-back wins in the 4million contest.

Dick Mandella's charge has never looked better than when working on the track this week.

Tough, genuine and trained to the minute, he can become the second horse after Tiznow in the race's history to grab the headlines twice.