Columnist Ralph Siraco: Checking out the top contenders in the Breeders’ Cup

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 | 10 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Now that the vacation money has been spent, the spa racing season is over and the county fair circuit complete, it's time to get ready for the Breeders' Cup.

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship will be decided at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Oct. 30. With the turn of the calendar just days away, time is running out for those horses who are preparing for the big showdown at the Dallas suburbia race track.

So, just who are the big names for the big races? It's not Smarty Jones. Although the owners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner -- who was the darling of the turf world through the Triple Crown -- said they wanted Smarty to be at the year-end championships, the scales of economy took their toll on those idealistic intentions. Only Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone will represent a Triple Crown winner in the Classic this year. And, of the 2003 winners, only Breeders' Cup Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect and Mile winner Six Perfections are set to defend their titles.

With five weeks to go, here are the leading contenders for the 21st Breeders' Cup Day:

Birdstone will also enter the Classic from a 63-day layoff, having won the Travers at Saratoga on August 28. Kentucky Cup Classic winner Roses In May goes to the Classic with 42 days between starts while Ghostzapper will enter the Classic off 49 days on the sideline after his gutty Woodward Stakes win. All top contenders have completed their prep races and will train up to the Classic.