All times BST2330: Right, I've tried to keep things steady today in preparation for tomorrow's marathon. 'Ladies' Day' might not have been to everyone's taste, but with plenty of well-backed winners doing their thing, there ought to be plenty of punters coming into tomorrow's action with their wallets bulging. Even I've managed to clear a couple of quid and I'm going to head back to the hotel before I get tempted to give it back on the Las Palmas Handicap in 20 minutes' time. I'll be back from 5pm tomorrow (British time) to bring you nine of the best. Well, eight of the best and the Marathon. Go on Sixties Icon - don't choke (in both senses). See you in the morning.
2325: She'd make a decent hurdler, wouldn't she? I could just see her mopping up a couple of novice hurdles around Exeter before being laid out for the Tote Gold Trophy and winning at 6-4 with Harry Findlay shouting his head off.
2322: It wasn't the 20-length demolition job some were promising, but it was the result that nearly everyone here wanted. On television they are talking about her ranking among the 'all-time greats'. I'm not mad on that sort of hyperbole but there's definitely something freakish about her, from the way she looks to the way she races. Godolphin will be pleased with their fillies too.
2315: A real buzz about the place as the runners go into the stalls.
2305: Thanks to those who have been in contact to offer their views on the last Breeders' Cup race of the day. The hype around Zenyatta in the American media this week has been amazing and it's no surprise that for many people the race revolves around her and her alone.
2300: Godolphin's fillies both haven't done much wrong but have something to prove on this surface and it is very rare for a filly who has won the Beldame, beating last year's winner of this race in the process, to be available at 8-1 for this contest.
2255: Is Zenyatta a wheelbarrow job? She seems versatile as to whether she can do it off a slow pace or a fast pace and she's beaten plenty of these rivals before. She's on her toes, to say the least, but that is her usual behaviour and hopefully nothing to worry about.
2242: In short, yes. The writing was on the wall pretty early there for her backers. Zenyatta has opened at 1-5 on-course for the Distaff.
2222: Halfway To Heaven is 5-2 favourite on the pari-mutuel. Wait A While is next at 7-2 and Forever Together 9-2. Will the 2lb overweight affect the chances of the market-leader? Fast ground doesn't seem to bother her and she has an incredibly consistent record in Group Ones this season. But it's been a long year and she has looked pretty hairy since arriving this week. Is it one race too many at the end of a long campaign?
2220: Fascinating to see who is going to dig deepest for her when she goes to the sales at Fasig-Tipton on November 2.
2200: I stand by my kangaroo comments. She really bounces off the synthetic surface here. Very hard not to be impressed. Mike Smith takes his hat off and waves to the crowd as he returns to the front of the stands.
2158: She's stone bonking first.
2156: She's stone bonking last.
2155: I get the feeling we are about to see a surpreme performance in this race, but I haven't the foggiest which one of these exciting fillies is going to deliver it. How far behind will Stardom Bound get in the early stages?
2140: A Japanese gentleman at the press buffet table has just poured caesar sauce all over a chocolate biscuit. I am not joking.
2137: Maram is the first Breeders' Cup runner for the owner Karen Woods and trainer Chad Brown, former assistant to Bobby Frankel. The horse's name means 'dream' or 'destiny' in Arabic.
2133: Stardom Bound opens at 8-5 favourite on-course. Sky Diva is next at 9-2, along with C.S. Silk.
2130: Connections of the runner-up are reportedly delighted with the condition of the turf course and reckon it will suit Halfway to Heaven in the Filly & Mare Turf. Did you watch that video of Stardom Bound like I told you to? What do you think? Let me know.
2127: The photograph confirms that it was just a nose by which the winner edged home. I've changed the channels on the tv in the media area to watch ESPN so that I can see Nick Luck do his thing. I keep saying he should wear a monocle and a top hat and call himself Lord Luck. The Americans love a gimmick like that.
2125: Laragh was given a cracking ride from the front by Edgar Prado but ultimately paid the price for being just a little too keen in the early stages.
2120: One more stride and Murtagh would have got there. Someone behind me in the stands goes 'Urrrrrrrgh' like a contestant from World's Strongest Man when the result is announced.
2119: Oooooh, that's tight.
2115: Given that some of these fillies are much of muchness and that traditionally the home team is never that strong on turf, could it be worth a dabble on April Pride at 28-1 on the pari-mutuel? Her British form doesn't read that badly and she looks like she'll appreciate the move up in trip.
2058: 20-0 to the Scarlets too, I am told. Oh me, oh my. First show through for the Juvenile Fillies' Turf. Consequence is 5-2 favourite with Laragh next at 3-1.
2045: A remarkable peformance. From halfway, the result was never in doubt. I'm sure Amanda Perrett always had this race in mind.
2042: I'll tell you something, I love these extra Breeders' Cup races. Never too much of a good thing I reckon.
2035: Indian Blessing does look particularly well. Ventura is a bit small, but it doesn't seem to have stopped her in her recent races. They're going in.
2016: As long as it's Ventura.
2015: Off for a look at them now. Good luck whatever you are playing on.
2008: Right, the first show is through for the Filly & Mare Sprint in half an hour. Indian Blessing is 2-1 joint-favourite with Ventura. I am on Ventura at a considerably better price and am feeling remarkably smug. You know what they say about pride coming before a fall though, don't you? Next in the betting at 5-1 are Intangaroo and Zaftig. Ventura and Intangaroo will both be doing their best work in the final yards. If Indian Blessing tries to make all, it could be set up for a thrilling finish.
2005: Have you ever tried eating a chilli and cheese dog with class? It can't be done. Worst of all that foxy reporter was watching. I think I've really blown it now. Hang on, it's the national anthem.
2003: He's going on a bit. He ends with "Have fun. I'll be back." How many times do you think he has said that phrase in his life?
2000: Go on the Scarlets! Thanks for that update. There is now a televised address from Governor Arnie Schwarzenegger who has frighteningly white teeth.
1924: Can someone keep me posted with the score in the Llanelli vs Bristol game? I'm told that the Scarlets should easily cover the handicap. I don't know the first thing about rugby but needless to say, I've piled on.
1922: I've never really big a big fan of Pepsi, but that can was the best hangover cure I have ever had. My understanding of this media lark is that now I've written that, a crate of it will turn up on my doorstep on Monday morning. Is that right?
1920: Although a lot of the European attention this evening will be on our runners, the two other main talking points promise to be the unbeaten Zenyatta in the Distaff and the equally-exicting two-year-olds Stardom Bound, Sky Diva and Dream Empress in the Juvenile Fillies. If you have five minutes, have a look at the videos of their previous successes - particularly the remarkable 17-hands-high Zenyatta and Stardom Bound, who I thought looked more like a kangaroo as she bounded up the straight to win the Oak Leaf Stakes over track and trip last month.
1915: Being drawn widest of all in stall 14 didn't seem to stop Guns On The Table, the winner of the first for Bob Baffert and John Velazquez.
1910: Daniel Munn wants to know if there is a chance of a European winner this evening. If you include the former Amanda Perrett-trained Ventura, then I'd say yes but Beyond Our Reach and Heart Shaped don't look to have been done too many favours by the draw in the Juvenile Fillies' Turf and nor does Folk Opera in the Folly & Mare Turf. Visit looked very wintry when I saw her earlier this week and I'm not convinced that she's quite good enough, but Halfway To Heaven shouldn't be far away. The Godolphin pair, who are only European in the broadest sense of the word, are both up against the supposed super-filly Zenyatta in the Distaff although they are not fully exposed.
1900: Went for a stroll to soak up some colour and ended up getting stuck outside of the media area without my accreditation. Most unprofessional. I apologise. Cheeseburger and fries at 6.50 makes a lot more appeal than a small bottle of beer at 6.25. There's three minutes to the first non Breeders' Cup event, an 'optional claimer'.
1810: Yowsers. Now we know why Johnny Murtagh has been spending all his time exercising. It's just been announced that Halfway to Heaven will carry 2lb overweight in the Filly & Mare Turf.
1800: Today's sponsors are being thanked over the public address system. "Grey Goose vodka reminds you to sip responsibly... Bessemer Trust are the official wealth management partners of the Breeders' Cup...UPS is the official delivery provider...Dos Equiis, the offical beer of the Breeders' Cup say 'Stay thirsty, my friends'"
1745: Here are today's tips. Don't mix your drinks to impress the barmaid (nap). A footlong hot dog with mustard makes a healthier breakfast than the sugar-soaked cakes and pastries that most people seem to prefer round here (nb). Hung-over greetings from Santa Anita where once again it is a beautiful day and temperatures promise to go close to 90F. Plaudits to Johnny Murtagh, who has already done more exercise than most today and managed a lap and a half of the one-mile circumference Pro-Ride track in the rising heat. I will be with you until the end of the Breeders' Cup races at 11.15pm British time. Drop me a line and let me know if you think today's action is either the perfect aperitif for tomorrow's top-flight action or a shallow sideshow.
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