Breeders' Cup Turf 2020: Latest Preview & Odds

The field for the Breeders' Cup Turf continues to evolve as the world waits to see which Europeans will challenge Zulu Alpha, Channel Maker, United, Arklow, Gufo and company.

The top U.S. runners listed above are nice, honest horses, but none of them have the star power of last year's winner and Horse of the Year, Bricks and Mortar.

This race has been dominated by Europeans over the years, and it takes a horse of Bricks and Mortar's quality to defeat them. With that said, the first few betting choices in this year's edition likely will be Europeans.

Aidan O'Brien's star 3-year-old filly Love was the early Turf favorite in foreign futures after O'Brien confirmed she would come to the Turf weeks ago.

An audible has been called, and on Tuesday O'Brien said Love would not ship to America after all. Though Love is out, it should come as no surprise that O'Brien has plenty of backup plans.

Managing director Alastair Donald of the International Racing Bureau said O'Brien could send any combination of Mogul, Magical and Japan. O'Brien's Serpentine, the upset winner of the Epsom Derby, has also been rumored to be considering the Turf.

Related: See the latest odds & previews for Breeders' Cup races:
Classic, Distaff, Dirt Mile, Turf, Sprint, Juvenile, FM Sprint, FM Turf

Charlie Appleby’s four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath and Dermont Weld's Prix de l’Opéra (G1) winner Tarnawa are likely to bring their strong credentials to the U.S., but both could be cross-entered in other races.

There is a strong chance that Tarnawa would run in the Filly and Mare Turf, and there is plenty of chatter about Ghaiyyath trying the dirt in the Breeders' Cup Classic. 

If Ghaiyyath sticks to the Turf, he could compete for favoritism with Magical, who defeated him in the Irish Champion Stakes last out.

Magical, a 7-time Group 1 winner, was second in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf behind Enable.

European trainers are not bashful about sending their horses to the Breeders' Cup off quick turnarounds. Though the race is only three weeks away, plenty can change in that time, starting this Saturday on Champions Day at Royal Ascot.

Magical, Japan and Serpentine all could run on Saturday, and their performances will go a long way to determining who ships over.

Recent Breeders' Cup Turf updates

• Mike Maker confirmed to HRN on Monday that Zulu Alpha and Aquaphobia would be the two horses from his barn full of Turf contenders to participate in the race.

• Bill Mott told HRN that Channel Maker is one of six horses that he plans to take to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup.

• Aidan O'Brien, who previously said Love would target the Breeders' Cup, announced that his star filly could be finished for the season with next year in mind.

• Ghaiyyath, Tarnawa, Magical, Mogul and Japan were among 20 European horses listed as possible for the Breeders' Cup by managing director Alastair Donald of the International Racing Bureau.

Previous Breeders' Cup Turf updates

• Brad Cox confirmed to HRN that Arklow will run in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

• In regard to Factor This, Cox told HRN that his team was "going to talk to the owners later in the week, and we’ll have an idea of what we’re going to do moving forward.” He could start in the Breeders' Cup Turf or Mile.

• Christophe Clement said that he will decide between the Breeders' Cup Turf and Hollywood Derby for Gufo.

Who's already going: Channel Maker, United, Zulu Alpha, Arklow, Laccario, Mogul

Who could be going: Ghaiyyath, Gufo, Rockemperor, Factor This, Red King, Sadler's Joy, Tarnawa

Upcoming preps:

Sycamore, Oct. 15 - Aquaphobia

Champion Stakes, Oct. 17 — Magical, Japan, Serpentine