Greg Wolf & Sara Elbadwi look ahead at the Empire Classic & the Empire Distaff at Belmont at the Big A.

Workouts from anticipated Breeders’ Cup starters pick up across much of the country, one week before the start of the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.u

What goes without question is that the field of 11 pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is so deep and star-studded that gamblers will have a field day betting on the race and getting odds way above the horses’ prices in recent races

Workouts from anticipated Breeders’ Cup starters pick up across much of the country, one week before the start of the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Troubleshooting, victorious in the Sept. 6 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) at Kentucky Downs when sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on turf, ventures into new territory Oct. 25 at Keeneland when he routes in the 1-mile Bryan Station Stakes (G3T).

Backcheck (Hip 223) is a Not This Time a half sister to this year’s Frizette Stakes (G1) winner.

Bernie Sams will be bringing his decades of experience to Lane’s End as the director of stallion operations.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has accredited 49 organizations, including 40 organizations that are continuing their accreditation and 9 that earned accreditation for the first time this year.

The Kikuka Sho (G1) completes Japan’s Triple Crown series and, at 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles), poses a unique challenge for the nation’s 3-year-olds by including a backstretch climb over 200 meters.

The reigning Horse of the Year will appear in the Keeneland saddling paddock around 4 p.m. ET.