European Invasion Is Set

Just because the Europeans have been blanked in the two previous BreedCups at Gulfstream Park doesn’t mean that they won’t show up by the dozens this time.

The International Racing Bureau said Thursday that 26 horses would be coming from Europe, most of them planning to run in seven of the eight Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 6.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien alone is sending seven horses, among them Stravinsky, one of the threats in the Sprint Stakes. Coral, the British bookmaking concern, has listed Stravinsky the 5-1 co-favorite, along with U.S. hopes Artax and Forestry.

The Europeans may be represented in every Breeders’ Cup race except the Distaff. Nine are coming for the Mile, five for the Turf, four for the Filly and Mare Turf, three for the sprint, four for the Juvenile and one for the Juvenile Fillies. Almutawakel, winner of the Dubai World Cup in March, is already in the U.S, having finished second and third in two stakes at Belmont Park.

Most of the European contingent will arrive the week of the Breeders’ Cup. After leaving quarantine, the horses will have time for a couple of gallops at Gulfstream.

The U.S. won’t have to worry about Sendawar and Gold Away, two European standouts, in the Mile. Sendawar’s owner, the Aga Khan, has decided not to send him to Gulfstream, and Gold Away, an early arrival in Florida, was injured at the Payson Park training center. Gold Away, second to Sendawar in France last month, suffered ligament damage during a workout.

“If Sendawar had come, I wouldn’t even be sending my horses,” said Santa Anita trainer Julio Canani, who is taking two shots in the Mile, with Silic and Ladies Din. Canani is also running Caffe Latte, second to Spanish Fern in the Yellow Ribbon, in the Filly and Mare Turf.

Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup are due Wednesday, with entry day scheduled for Nov. 3.