Curlin is clearly the class act and If this was on dirt, he'd be unbackable. It isn't - so he's vulnerable. Of the three European big guns, Henrythenavigator makes most appeal but he will have to deal with the kick-back and a safer proposition is GO BETWEEN. This is his surface and he arrives at Santa Anita in the form of his life. Tough and battle-hardened, he is sure to make his presence felt. Casino Drive will have his supporters but it wasn't much of a race he won at this track last time and whether he will be truly effective on the surface, has to be open to question.
Go Between (USA) (8-12) 4wd into lane,rallied, won at Del Mar 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) std in Aug beating Well Armed (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Casino Drive (USA) (8-4) 3wd bid,led,held game, 2nd of 7, 2l behind.
Tiago (USA) (8-12) 4wd into lane,late 2nd, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Well Armed (8-12) at Oak Tree At Sant 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) std in Sept.
Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) (9-5) Mid-division, short-lived effort straight, 7th of 16, 4l behind Zarkava (8-8) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Henrythenavigator (USA) (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Raven's Pass (8-13) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Smooth Air (USA) (8-7) Drew away, won at Calder Race Crs 1m std in Sept beating Dynhocracy (8-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Student Council (USA) (8-12) Pulled,3wd into lane, 5th of 11, 4l behind Go Between (8-12) at Del Mar 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) std in Aug.
Raven's Pass (USA) (8-13) Steady start, smooth headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, challenged and kept on well, won at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept beating Henrythenavigator (8-13) by 1l, 7 ran.
Curlin (USA) (9-0) 3w 2nd turn,hand urged, won at Belmont Park 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) std in Sept beating Wanderin Boy (9-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fairbanks (USA) (8-4) Rank early, 4wd rally, won at Hawthorne 1m 2f hcp Grd 2 (1) std in Sept beating Magna Graduate (8-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Colonel John (USA) (9-0) Broke in air, prevail, won at Saratoga 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) std in Aug beating Mambo in Seattle (9-0) by a shd, 12 ran.
Champs Elysees (9-0) Swung wide str,all out, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Marsh Side (9-0) at Woodbine 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) std.