Fields coming together for Jockey Club Gold Cup weekend

Fields are taking shape for this weekend's "Super Saturday" stakes, anchored by the 98th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Expected to vie for favoritism in the Gold Cup are Essafinaat's Grade 1 Woodward runner-up Mubtaahij for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and last year's Grade 1 Clark Handicap winner Effinex, making his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Whitney for trainer Jimmy Jerkens and Tri-Bone Stables. Also probable are California-based Hoppertunity, fourth to California Chrome in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic last time out, for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and owner Mike Pegram; My Meadowview Farms' New York-bred Samraat, looking to rebound from his ninth-place finish in the Woodward for trainer Rick Violette, Jr.; and McLaughlin trainee Watershed, third last time out in the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin for Godolphin Racing.

As one of four Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" contests on Saturday, the Jockey Club Gold Cup carries an all-fees-paid berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 5 at Santa Anita Park.

The Gold Cup will be joined by the Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl for fillies and mares on the inner turf, expected to feature a rematch between Grade 2 Ballston Spa winner Strike Charmer for trainer Mark Hennig and Courtland Farm and Sheep Pond Partners' Lady Eli, who returned from a nearly 14-month layoff to finish a valiant second on August 27 at Saratoga. 

A "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Filly & Mare Turf, the Flower Bowl is also likely to attract European invader Ame Bleue for Ballymore Thoroughbred and international trainer Andre Fabre; Starlight Racing's Itsonlyactingdad from the barn of Todd Pletcher; Richard Greeley's homebred My Cara Mia for trainer Mitchell Friedman; Brown trainee and Grade 1 Beverly D. heroine Sea Calisi for owner Martin Schwartz; and Godolphin Stable's Sentiero Italia, third in the Ballston Spa, for McLaughlin.

Meanwhile, 2-year-old colts and fillies will look to establish themselves as serious contenders in their respective divisions in the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne and the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette.

Leading the charge for the Champagne, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, are a pair of impressive Brown trainees in Grade 1 Hopeful winner Practical Joke and standout maiden winner Favorable Outcome, as well as Eric Fein's highly regarded Syndergaard, a 10 ¼-length winner of the Funny Cide for Pletcher. Also probable are maiden winners Big Gray Rocket for Baffert and Lookin At Blessing for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito. No Dozing is also possible.

The Frizette, a "Win and You're In" contest for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, is expected to attract St. Elias Stable's Grade 2 Adirondack winner Nonna Mela from the Pletcher barn. Colorful Charades, Libby's Tale, Sky Gesture, Star Super and Yellow Agate are also likely. Eloquent Riddle and Made Me Shiver are possible.

Older horses will look to tackle Belmont's one-turn mile in the Grade 2, $350,000 Kelso, led by Grade 1 Forego runner-up Tamarkuz, owned Shadwell Stable and trained by McLaughlin, and Ralph M. Evans' Upstart, third in the Whitney last time out for the Rick Violette barn. Tommy Macho is expected to make his first start since winning the Grade 3 Fred Hooper in February as one of two Pletcher trainees, along with 2015 Grade 2 Alysheba winner Protonico. Also likely are the David Jacobson owned-and-trained Baccelo, third in the Seattle Slew on September 10, and Point Piper for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Anchor Down, Dannie's Deceiver and Red Vine are questionable.

Brown figures to be well-represented in the Grade 3, $500,000 Hill Prince, expected to start as many as three in the 3-year-old turf contest: recent allowance runner-up Annals of Time, Grade 1 Secretariat winner Beach Patrol, and Grade 2 Hall of Fame winner Camelot Kitten. Also likely for the Hill Prince are American Patriot, Berliner, Dressed in Hermes, Monster Bea and Strike Midnight. Inspector Lynley is possible.

Grass sprinters will round out Saturday's stakes action in a competitive edition of the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational, likely to include Conquest Enforcer, Disco Partner, Green Mask, Long On Value, Pool Winner, Power Alert, Pure Sensation, Ready for Rye, Sallal, Spring to the Sky and Triple Burner. Summation Time is questionable.