Breeders' Cup contenders nominated for Hong Kong International Races

A number of Breeders' Cup contenders could parlay their runs Nov. 2-3 at Churchill Downs into another top-tier event, the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

Entries, essentially equal to nominations here in the U.S., were released Wednesday for the Sunday, Dec. 9, races on turf. Here are the familiar names who could target them:

Hong Kong Cup (G1 at 2,000 meters)

Mind Your Biscuits, likely to go in the Breeders' Cup Classic, is the lone American-based entry, while Mendelssohn, who won the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, appears eligible to switch surfaces for trainer Aidan O'Brien before heading off to stud at Coolmore. U.S. fans should also recognize Talismanic, the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf winner who will be back to defend his title this year.

Hong Kong Sprint (G1 at 1,200 meters)

The U.S. can be expected to have its top representation here. Mind Your Biscuits is also entered, and along with him curiously is a dirt sprint leader Imperial Hint, who could be favored going six furlongs at Churchill Downs. Bucchero, Caribou Club and Disco Partner are the other Americans listed.

Hong Kong Vase (G1 at 2,400 meters)

No Americans here, though both Talismanic and Waldgeist, another in the Breeders' Cup Turf, are entered. Thundering Blue, the recent Canadian International (G1) runner-up at Woodbine, is also listed here as well as in the Hong Kong Cup.

Hong Kong Mile (G1 at 1,600 meters)

Sound familiar? Mind Your Biscuits has this race as an option, too. Voodoo Song, the Saratoga turf specialist, and Breeders' Cup Classic contender Yoshida are also entered. Yoshida, of course, made the switch to dirt last out to win the Woodward (G1) but has also won a Grade 1 on turf.