(Monday, November 2) Just last week I was whining about this year's Breeders' Cup lacking arguably the two best horses in the world, Rachel Alexandra and Sea of Stars, along with a host of other no shows that include Fabulous Strike, Icon Project, Indian Blessing, and Macho Again.

Then the pre-entries came out.

There are more than 160 horses pointing toward the two day event, and nine of last year's 14 Breeders' Cup winners will be back in action this year, along with 2006 Turf winner Red Rocks.

Most of the end of year divisional honors are still up for grabs, and you can even argue that Zenyatta still has a shot of beating out Rachel Alexandra for Horse of the Year honors if she beats up the boys in the Classic.

Even the fact that the Breeders' Cup is contested over what Rachel Alexandra owner Jess Jackson calls "plastic" is not really bothering me.

Perhaps that is because I spent most of the past four weeks trying to solve the polytrack surface at the recently concluded Keeneland fall meeting.

While most of you spent Sunday watching the NFL action, I spent most of the day perusing the past performances and watching replays of all of the major prep races leading into the Breeders' Cup.

There are plenty of compelling storylines this year, and there will be an ample supply of excellent wagering opportunities.

Who am I looking forward to seeing later this week? Here are just a few:

Gio Ponti: One quirk of having the Classic on a synthetic surface is the fact that some of the top turf horses are bypassing the $3 million Turf and going to the $5 million Classic.

Grade 1 turf winners Gio Ponti, Einstein, Twice Over, and Rip Van Winkle would certainly be in the Turf if this year's Breeders' Cup were held on dirt at Churchill Downs or Belmont Park.

Gio Ponti comes into the Classic as the Rodney Dangerfield of racing. This guy won four straight Grade 1 races on turf before getting upset in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) last out over the boggy going at Belmont Park.

Had he managed to get by Interpatation in that race and then win the Classic, he would have ended the year with six straight Grade 1's and still would get barely a whiff at Horse of the Year honors.

The colt has been completely overshadowed by the two super females and Summer Bird and likely gets overlooked in the Classic.

Girolamo: Godolphin is loaded with runners in this year's races, and Girolamo appears to be a three year old with a very bright future.

I loved his Jerome Handicap (G2) win and he is coming into this weekend in top fashion and has the look of a colt that is ready to fire a big one.

He is on the also eligible list for the Classic but seems likely to get in. Look out, he is going to be a generous price.

Two-year-old races: All four of the two-year-old races are going to offer big fields and wide open betting races. We have a good mix of European shippers and no standout favorites.

If we can manage to hit just one of the four trifectas, it is going to be a profitable two days.

Summer Bird: I have given this three-year-old zero respect this year, not picking him to win the Belmont Stakes, Travers, or the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Here is a three year old that has a Triple Crown win, a Grade 1 win versus older, and a good shot of winning the Classic, which would be four Grade 1's on the year, and the chances of the colt winning Horse of the Year honors is practically zip.

Classic Euro Exacta: After Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator ran one-two in last year's Classic, the exacta returned $319.00.

I have a feeling a Rip Van Winkle-Twice Over exacta payoff could be the underlay of the day.

Zenyatta: It is a no brainer I want to see Zenyatta perform, but for selfish reasons. I just do not think she is good enough to beat the boys, and if she goes off anywhere near her likely morning line odds of 5/2, she has the look of a real underlay.

I have not made my final selections yet, but I am fairly certain she will not be my top pick, and I am guessing she may not show up in my top four.

Zensational: The Bob Baffert trainee might be one of the most overhyped runners coming into this year's races. He has won his last four starts, but he did not beat much in his last two wins at Del Mar.

One thing I noticed in watching his replays yesterday was the fact he really does not get going very quickly. He broke fourth in a five-horse field in the Pat O'Brien (G1), and two back broke last in the Bing Crosby (G1).

If he draws an inside post and gets off as he did in his last two starts and he is going to be in deep waters at a short price.

Let's Go to the Videotape: Horses that had my head nodding in approval after watching replays of their last race: Gayego, Bullsbay, Crown of Thorns, Girolamo, Regal Ransom, Radiohead, Telling, Lisa's Kitten, Sara Louise, Ventura, Negligee, Magical Fantasy, Pure Class, and Music Note.