Replay the Breeders' Cup blog from our Matt Brocklebank as Wuheida was the only European-trained winner on the night in Del Mar.
All times GMT...
0120: The last word to winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who has had to wait since since Curlin's triumph in 2017 for a second Classic success of his career: "I can't tell you how proud I am of him.
"This is in the moment, it couldn't be better in the moment."
0114: Mike Smith sounds crestfallen after Arrogate's no-show and he's adamant the course has killed him.
"Everything went wrong," said the jockey. "He broke awkward. But he just doesn't like the track, the turns. I'm lost for words to be honest with you."
0052: The front two dictated the pace and weren't hanging about but Gun Runner just kept finding all the way around the bend.
If you've backed the winner, the 11/4 you've got back home dwarfs the 2s here on the American pools.
0050: It's been a bad weekend for horses having their final starts, the likes of Lady Eli, Decorated Knight and Ribchester all suffering defeat, and Arrogate follows suit with a limp run.
He was poorly from the gate and just never picked up for Mike Smith. They ultimately had to settle for a dead-heat for fifth.
Victory goes to Horse of the Year Gun Runner, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Florent Geroux, with Baffert duo Collected and West Coast second and third.
Geroux salutes the crowd and points down at a horse who has sprouted wings this year having been placed in the 2016 Dirt Mile at Santa Anita.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Classic
1st Gun Runner (11/4)
2nd Collected
3rd West Coast
0036: Churchill considerably less sweaty than he was for his first spin on the course on Thursday morning.
To recap then, I'm on West Coast to provide Baffert with a fourth straight success.
0034: After a brief rendition of Where The Turf Meets The Surf it's time for the parade.
I'm all for an enticing build-up, but surely an hour between races is too long.
0031: Six minutes to post time. Good luck to Aidan O'Brien and 'The Lads' with their duo. Can Churchill pull off what so many stars from Ballydoyle have tried and failed down the years? We'll soon know.
0025: All pretty calm in the parade ring so far, though the size of the paddocks in the States are so small compared to those in Britain.
Also quiet in the betting it seems, the only one attracting money at bigger prices is Gunnevera, who is around 14s.
0002: Plenty of time to ponder the Classic plays, with an hour between the final two races on the card.
Hopes rest on Churchill and War Decree as the Europeans look for a third winner at the meeting after Mendelssohn (Friday) and Wuheida earlier tonight, but it's just hard to imagine they'll prove better on dirt than they are on turf and both have something to find, even on their best 10-furlong form back home.
Gun Runner is a big price here based on what we were seeing earlier in the week but he's never won at the trip. Then there's Arrogate.
He was more goat than G.O.A.T when beaten twice here in the summer but Baffert has made positive noises in the week.
I'm drawn to West Coast. Other than having never run at Del Mar, he's got very little to prove and is on a steep upward curve. Baffert-trained three-year-olds have won the last three renewals.
2343: Talismanic wins the Turf for France!
Beach Patrol second and Highland Reel third.
Plenty of French horses have thrived on the Breeders' Cup stage, Goldikova in particular, but not many have made the trip this time around.
It's clearly been a case of quality over quantity though and Andre Fabre strikes with his only runner.
No excuses for market leader Highland Reel, who sat third throughout but just came under the pump turning in and couldn't respond quickly enough. He's run a brave race as ever.
2330: I've got a few covered here: namely Decorated Knight, Seventh Heaven and Beach Patrol.
I'm a fan of Highland Reel, but not at even money.
2324: Richard Fahey has reflected on Ribchester's run in the Mile: "Horses like this don't come along very often, he's been a wonderful racehorse and this was the place to bring him for his last run.
"He just didn't come home as strongly as he usually does, but I can't blame anything to do with the draw or the track as the race went to plan and I was delighted where he was until turning for home.
"He's an absolute superstar, a wonderful horse to us and the Godolphin team. He's tough, very quick and I'm sure he'll make a super stallion.
"Godolphin are very sporting and left it to me (whether to run). There's a little regret, as it's the first time he's been out of the money all year. It's about winning, but he'll make a fantastic stallion."
Ribchester wasn't beaten far behind a wall of horses in fifth...
2314: It's a reasonable question asked by Racing UK... And it's got me looking beyond the obvious in the Turf.
Highland Reel is now odds-on here with Chad Brown's Beach Patrol the other one for money.
Seventh Heaven has been well touted this week, it's just a question of the sharp nature of the track. I'm hoping she might be okay.
O'Brien expects the course to suit Cliffs Of Moher, while Decorated Knight is 11/1 on the pools here and has to be included.
2304: Good Magic wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile for Chad Smith and Jose Ortiz!
Brown works his magic with the maiden son of Curlin, who busts a trend dating back to the meeting's inception. Bolt D'Oro ends up third after a torrid trip out wide. He just couldn't get into a striking position under Corey Nakatani.
US Navy Flag led them early but faded out of contention.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Juvenile
1st Good Magic (12/1)
2nd Solomini
3rd Bolt D'Oro
2300: Spot of drama as 10 Golden Dragon bursts through the stalls, but he's soon back in and they're off!
2258: Aidan O'Brien felt aiming US Navy Flag towards this race might give him an idea as to whether the colt could be a 2000 Guineas horse at three, or whether he'll be a sprinter. US Navy Flag is 9/1 for the Guineas as they go into the stalls for the Juvenile.
2252: Bolt D'Oro "very calm" in the paddock the word from a press room colleague who has had an eagle eye on them from the balcony.
2245: It's good stuff from Mr Free and you have to respect those figures.
I'd happily admit that the Frontrunner fell apart and Bolt D'Oro was ultimately flattered to win as he did, but 'Usain' had already won a Grade 1 - the Futurity Stakes at this track - prior to that. I'm willing to take a short price about a horse being talked of as a 2018 Triple Crown candidate in a weak-looking field. A short, fixed-odds prices, that is. He's currently trading at 3/5 on track.
2240: If you're not keen on taking even money about a two-year-old on dirt in America, I can't blame you, and you can take heart not only from tonight's results which have spewed up some chaotic returns, but also from a devils advocate piece written by DRF's Brad Free.
He argues: "A dozen other triple-digit 2yos also regressed. The list, with next-out Beyer regression in parentheses: Jamyson ’n Ginger (minus 34 points), Classic Empire (-15), Bavaro (-52), Daredevil (-45), Texas Red (-13), Upstart (-10), Shared Belief (-10), Havana (-9), Beholder (-12), Revolutionary (-17), Little Distorted (-39) and Kauai Katie (-16).
Unless undefeated Bolt d’Oro is the second coming of American Pharoah, he also is likely to regress. Do you want to wager on a horse going backward? Nope."
2234: It's the bet of the meeting in the upcoming Breeders' Cup Juvenile and I can't wait to set eyes on the monster Bolt D'Oro.
Here he is winning the Frontrunner last time out.
2231: A first #BC17 winner for trainer Mark Casse, trainer of Tepin and many other top-class milers down the years.
2228: The Suedois/Ribchester match bet also pays out with David O'Meara's charge finishing a close-up fourth. He looked to have every chance without any obvious excused, while Ribchester suffered from his wide draw and probably did too much to try and negate it with a positive move around halfway.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Mile
1st World Approval (11/4 fav)
2nd: Lancaster Bomber
3rd Blackjackcat
2224: World Approval wins the Breeders' Cup Mile!
And the one-two from the Woodbine Mile is repeated, with Lancaster Bomber following him home in second following a rough trip around the inside.
2214: Looking ahead to the Classic and Arrogate is being really well backed. Bob Baffert winners have been conspicuous by their absence so far this year. Can the silver-haired magician get it right in the big one?
He's got Solomini in the Juvenile but he looks up against it so it'll be down to the Baffert four in the Classic to turn things around for the Hall Of Famer.
2210: Here's the main man from Moulton on why he won't be giving Buick any instructions...
2202: So, the Breeders' Cup Mile and the final time we get to see Ribchester strut his stuff, before heads off to, well, strut his stuff in the breeding sheds.
He's a horse we know all about and he's a horse we will most likely run his race.
All the connections are adamant he will love the quick ground and his prep has been smooth.
It goes without saying I'd love him to win for Richard Fahey but my honest opinion is that he won't. The biggest reason being that he's been on the go since Dubai and will probably have to be as good, if not even better, going around a bend if he's to see off this smart field.
I'd back Suedois to beat him in a match if I get the chance but I'm focused on the Americans and specifically World Approval and Midnight Storm. The latter for reasons I gave earlier and the former because he's just a much-improved miler and I like the way he dispatched Lancaster Bomber giving him weight last time.
If you're having a bet back home, Sky Bet have gone FOUR places instead of three and you can see the full market by clicking on the image below.
2150: Buick, who broke his back when falling from the ill-fated Permian on his last visit to America said after opening his Breeders' Cup account: "I can't explain it, it means everything to me. I've had plenty of goes and not been successful, so it means everything.
"It's a big team effort - a big thank you to everyone at home."
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Sprint
1st Roy H (9/2)
2nd Imperial Hint
3rd Mind Your Biscuits
2140: Another minor surprise on the night as Drefong completely bombs out in the Sprint for Bob Baffert.
Victory goes to Roy H on what is turning out to be a phenomenal evening for Peter Miller, who trained the one-two in the Turf Sprint earlier.
Arise the new 'Sprint King' of American racing.
2130: Charlie Appleby said of the beautiful Wuheida: "She's really blossomed since coming over here. We missed the best part of a week with her when she had to be ruled out of the Queen Elizabeth at Keeneland but the good thing was that she was fit for that.
"I wanted to get her down here nice and early and I was delighted with what I saw when we worked her on the turf earlier in the week.
"She's done a bit of travelling now and getting more runs under her belt so she's becoming the professional that you'd like to see."
2116: Christmas is back on in the Brocklebank household but there are more important matters to come, including Ribchester in the Mile and the small matter of Aidan O'Brien trying to win a first ever Breeders' Cup Classic. Stay with me here.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
1st Wuheida (8/1)
2nd Rhododendron
3rd Cambodia
2108: I would like to kiss William Buick on the face.
Wuheida breaks from stall five, settles in behind the slow tempo before putting the race to bed with a smart turn of foot. What a performance from a horse they've always considered to be top class.
2056: Sky Bet are paying FOUR places on the Filly & Mare Turf and you can place your bets right here.
2052: But it's all about Wuheida for me and here's her trainer Charlie Appleby talking through her chances following the draw on Monday evening.
2045: Lots going on in this high-class renewal of the Filly & Mare Turf but the locals are all in the Lady Eli camp.
She's trained by New Yorker Chad Brown but has captured the hearts of millions all over America with a career of 10 victories from 13 starts. She's never been out of the first two and she's already a Breeders' Cup winner having taken the Juvenile Fillies Turf three years ago.
She was mugged on the line by Queen's Trust at Santa Anita in this race last November and they renewal rivalry, while Rhododendron and Wuheida renewal their own little battle having met in France at the Arc meeting.
Nezwaah looks a massive price for Roger Varian around 35/1 on the pools. She bolted up on really fast ground in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh in the summer and has been unlucky with the ground on her last two starts including in the E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine last time.
2038: The Filly & Mare Sprint shocker leaves most Pick 7 tickets in tatters, sadly but with about 700 still alive you just never know...
2035: What a moment for Peter Miller earlier. He said: "I think I've lost my voice. It was just a surreal experience to see Richard's Boy look like he was going to win."
2017: Bar Of Gold beats Ami's Mesa in a tight finish to the F&M Sprint!
It's another mammoth turn-up as hot favourite Unique Bella dropped like a stone through the field having led at a brutal pace early on (sub 22sec for the opening two furlongs.
"What was Mike Smith doing?" says 10 people simultaneously in the press room.
Unique Bella looked quite keen just before going into the gate and she just did not settle for Smith.
She paid for it late on too, as John Kimmel's Bar Of Gold flew from the back to nail the Josie Carroll-trained Ami's Mesa.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
1st Bar Of Gold (66/1)
2nd Ami's Mesa
3rd Carina Mia
2010: Unique Bella still around evens on the pool but seems to be drifting on the fixed odds markets back home. Chad Brown's Paulassilverlining my first Pick 7 selection is around 10/1 if you shop around.
I just wonder if Unique Bella is more of a miler. She's a cruiser and a bruiser, but I just wonder if Del Mar will play to her strengths. She's done all of her racing so far at Santa Anita.
2006: Little bit of reaction from Marsha's trainer Sir Mark Prescott, who said Luke Morris felt he was in with a shout turning in.
"I thought she was always in the right place and travelled well, so I have no complaints," said Prescott.
"She has been the most consistent sprinter in the northern hemisphere, and always runs her race. All credit to Elite Racing (Club), as they not only own her, but bred her. How many clubs that size do that?"
1959: It's your 15 minute call for the Pick 7. Free to play, £100,000 to the winner. You know the drill by now. This is not impossible, I assure you. We've had one or two blowouts already but there's plenty of solid ones to come over the next couple of hours so stay tuned.
Click on the image below to enter your predictions.
1958: We've just had a glimpse of Unique Bella, the favourite for the Filly & Mare Sprint, which comes up next.
Actual gasps from some onlookers. She truly is a massive young filly and despite no 3yo having ever won this race, expectations are sky high. She also has Mr Breeders' Cup - aka Mike Smith - for company.
1951: The irrepressible Mike Smith, who rides the well-backed Arrogate in the Classic later, now has 26 BC career winners on his CV.
1941: Carnage in the Turf Sprint as trainer Peter Miller enjoys the day of his life with an upset one-two, Stormy Liberal beating Richard's Boy. Disco Partner third as Lady Aurelia fails to fire despite sitting in a nice pocket behind the leaders early on.
Marsha didn't bend brilliantly but still held every chance on the wide outside at the top of the stretch and ran on well enough without quite being able to get onto the tails of the place-getters.
Lady A was a pretty miserable 10th, sadly.
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
1st Stormy Liberal (40/1)
2nd Richard's Boy
3rd Disco Partner
1938: Loading for the Turf Sprint. Good luck Marsha and her 2,000 owners out there.
1935: Here we go, it just got very busy as the friendly fellas from racingdudes.com rock up (bit late?) on the bank of desks in front of me. They appear to love a kitty-style wagering strategy and are planning "something crazy" in the Turf following the scratching of Ulysses.
1930: Trouble at mill. A faller! Don't panic, they're still on the way to post for the BCTF. But there's drama in the auxiliary press tent as an elderly lady takes a tumble just behind us. The Sporting Life response team are first on the scene and despite a few groans about a hip replacement she's just had, the local lady is up and appears fit to play on. I sincerely hope she's okay.
1920: Next up it's the re-rematch between Marsha and Lady Aurelia. They are level at one all following the King's Stand (LA) and Nunthorpe (M) earlier this year.
Fast-ground, bend running is Lady Aurelia's forte and it's no real surprise she's such a short price to make it 2-1.
It's not a two horse race - Hogy is a capable sort and Pure Sensation looks to be back in good shape and he was third behind Obviously in last year's race. Both are drawn considerably wider than the favourite.
I wonder if Johnny Velazquez will punch the air as he crosses the line in front.
1910: Mike Smith strikes! What an athlete he is. He's 50-odd years old and can bench-press a bus.
Not all power and strength at work here, though, as he plays the cool game on Ralph Nicks' Caledonia Road to pick up the pieces and win going away.
Having given Prat the big build-up, it's hard to escape the notion he's gone a little too hard a little too early on Moonshine Memories, who fell in a heap a furlong out.
It's a 'chaotic' 1-2-3 with Baffert's Alluring Star and 33/1 rag Blonde Bomber filling the place and show (I just cannot resist the local terminology).
RESULT: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
1st Caledonia Road (20/1)
2nd Alluring Star
3rd Blonde Bomber
1858: Moonshine Memories no more than 2/1 on the local pools. So snaffle anything you can in the region of 3s. Confidence really was high when we had a stroll around Callaghan's barn on Wednesday morning.
1855: Quick line or two from on-call veterinarian Dr Scott Palmer, who recommended Ulysses be taken out of tonight's Turf.
"The decision to scratch Ulysses was made by connections, of course, with the advise of Dr. Wayne McIlwraith. The concern was that Ulysses has a small amount of inflammation in his left front fetlock.... I don't think it's a life-threatening issue whatsoever, it's just a bit of a concern and they wish to do the right thing by the horse and protect him.
"I'm not aware of any prior concern, but it would not surprise me."
Ulysses is scheduled to return to England on Sunday so fingers crossed his journey home is safe and sound.
1845: We're 15 minutes out from the start and Moonshine Memories is popular in the pools ahead of the Juvenile Fillies. Here's the gist. She's unbeaten, she's won twice at G1 level and she's won one of them here at Del Mar. Track nous is massive on these tight bends and she's jockey winning machine Flavien Prat in the saddle, as has been the case on her last two starts.
'The Prat Man' as we've taken to calling him, warmed up for this with three winners yesterday and has already struck in the opening race on today's undercard. He's basically the go-to rider on the West Coast right now and he's lethal on this course.
Chad Brown underlined his excellence with fillies when landing the big one for juveniles on the turf yesterday and he saddles Seperationofpowers, who won a Grade 1 at Belmont last month. Needless to say, they would not have cherry-picked gate 13 had they had the choice.
1835: Sky Bet have just gone top price Ribchester in the Breeders' Cup Mile, with 9/2 now on offer about Richard Fahey's multiple G1 winner. What strikes me most about following this horse through the week is just how relaxed he seems. Perhaps it rubs off his trainer, who admits it'll be sad to see him go off to stud after this race.
1830: Nutted. Sound And Silence snatches defeat from the jaws of victory in Race 3 as Declarationofpeace swoops late under Ryan Moore to nail the Godolphin horse on the line. That's a blow, I must admit, but there's the small matter of nine Grade 1 Breeders' Cup races to come.
Recognise the name Declarationofpeace? He was the 'Royal Ascot banker' that flopped in the Windsor Castle, the race won by Sound And Silence...
More to come for AOB? Oli Bell asked the question.
1815: Some exceptional offers and Price Boosts with Sky Bet here, starting with FIVE places on offer in the opening Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at 1900. Moonshine Memories is rock solid in that and Simon Callaghan was very sweet on her chances when we caught up with earlier in the week.
Elsewhere, Lady Eli is 5/2 from 11/4 ahead of her swansong in the F&M Turf, Cliffs Of Moher has been nibbled from 16/1 to 12s in the Turf and Arrogate is dead popular in the Classic, with Gun Runner weak as you like.
1800: The ground is First and Fast on the turf and dirt courses respectively, despite a little drizzle earlier in the week, and the sun is beating down. I optimistically applied sun cream this morning before realising I'd be sat in the media tent for most of the day but I'm hoping to pop out to back Sound And Silence in the next race on the undercard. He is a Royal Ascot winner, after all.
Hard to believe it given the conditions here, but has the sunlight really been offered as an excuse for one or two below-par performances in the Charlie Hall Chase in Wetherby this afternoon?
Other than Masar, who seemed to have a tack problem before finishing well in the Juvenile Turf last night, the common theme in terms of excuses here at Del Mar seems to be the tight turns and the narrow track.
The nature of the turf track was the principal reason behind the Breeders' Cup never having been held here in the past but widening of the course in 2014 opened the possibility and the dream has finally been realised.
I dread to think just how narrow the track was...
1750: As the prominently-ridden Bookies Luck wins the Golden State Juvenile (Race 2 here in Del Mar), it's probably time for a little house keeping.
News filtered through last night that Ulysses had been scratched from the Turf on veterinary advice, which is a massive blow for all concerned.
That leaves last year's winner Highland Reel as a pretty warm favourite to double up for Aidan O'Brien.
1745: As promised, here's the DRF's coolest cat - Peter Thomas Fornatale with his Pick 7 selections. Big shout out to the DRF team for helping us out this week. Fun fact - they are mad for British National Hunt racing.
1735: Did I mention there's a special Pick 7 game open tonight? No? Apologies, I'm being distracted by several very excited locals who are rabbiting on about their Pick 4s and Pick 6s.
Never mind that lads, it's the Pick 7 that really matters and there's £100,000 to the win. And it's free to play, as ever.
Before I dig out the link to an actual pro's view on the seven vital races, here's my offering:
Race 1: Filly & Mare Sprint - PAULASSILVERLINING. Chad, 'nuff said.
Race 2: Filly & Mare Turf - WUHEIDA. Lightly-raced, under rated and a fast-ground lover.
Race 3: Sprint - MIND YOUR BISCUITS. I like west coast rap, so does this horse.
Race 4: Mile - MIDNIGHT STORM. Third last year (and the Guardian's Gregg Wood fancies it)
Race 5: Juvenile - BOLT D'ORO. Wins here before attempting the Triple Crown in 2018.
Race 6: Turf - DECORATED KNIGHT. Always overlooked, despite high-class form overseas.
Race 7: Classic - WEST COAST. Baffert, three-year-old, improving Travers winner. What's not to like?
1720: When you spend the best part of a week in and around the place in the build-up to a meeting like the Breeders' Cup, you are naturally drawn into some of the most compelling stories and the balancing act between heart ruling head when it comes to parting with your cash is a fine one.
Here's three of the main dilemmas I'm faced with today:
Marsha or LADY AURELIA - Elite Racing Club, Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint would be one of the stories of the event from a British perspective, but how on earth is she going to reel in well-drawn Lady A around the bend here? How?! If you genuinely have an answer, email racingfeedback@sportinglife.com or tweet me @MattBrocklebank.
Goodyearforroses or WUHEIDA - If you've read my preview then you'll know I'm keen on the latter with first-time cheekpieces fitted, but the American filly's connections were some of the most accommodating people we've spoken to all week and Bing Bush Jnr, who heads up the ownership, is a name I'll never forget. If Goodyearforroses wins, prepare for a delay to the Sprint.
Drefong or MINDYOURBISCUITS - Here's one where the heart might just win out. Drefong, representing BC legends Bob Baffert and Mike Smith, is passed the post in the Sprint according to many local judges. But you're not getting much at the duty free counter at these prices and the rap-listening Mind Your Biscuits for the too-cool-for-skool Chad Summers has sucked everyone in.
1655: So, how to break down this mind-boggling #BC17 card without boring you all to tears.
Well, having selected 9/2 Rushing Fall to win as one of two best bets for last night, I'd be doing myself a disservice not to recommend tonight's preview - which can be ready right here.
The crux of the matter is that despite U S Navy Flag's form working out so well with Mendelssohn winning on the turf last night, tonight's Juvenile is a real step into the unknown for Aidan O'Brien's colt and there's a buzz about Bolt D'Oro like I've never seen in the run-up to a big meeting.
His trainer Mick Ruis is a bit of a character - even for American standards - and you can read a little bit about his past here.
The former owner, who numbers his own daughter among the trainers he basically sacked before getting a licence himself, has a monster on his hands in Bolt D'Oro by all accounts.
If he's beaten then I'll need a minor miracle to get out of jail, but if you can't have big dreams in California then you're not living.
1645: But there's much more to it than that with so much quality set to take to the track later on.
The first event with you poor souls back in the UK is 1900, which is midday local time.
I kid you not, it is 0945 here and they're parading for the first race on the undercard.
Before getting stuck into exactly where I'm going to be dispensing with my remaining Benjamins, I'd like to thank Dave Ord for a sensational return to the blog hot-seat to cover this afternoon's action back home. It was great to see all of his bitterness at not being in California remained under wraps for the most part. A true pro.
1630: The waiting is almost over.
Whether you're an avid American racing follower who has been anticipating this day ever since the moment Arrogate 'stole the show' from California Chrome in a barnstorming Classic at Santa Anita 12 months ago, or you've just had an ill-advised wager on the nursery at Newcastle (5.00), the waiting is almost over.
It's Breeders' Cup day in Del Mar and the excitement is palpable. Not least due to the bagels and cream cheese in the press room, vanilla flavoured UHT milk cartons, or the brief battle with racing protesters at the entrance to the car park.