Getting in Their Prep Work

Three weeks before Breeders’ Cup XXII, Belmont Park, Santa Anita and Keeneland will run major prep races today.

At Santa Anita are the $250,000 Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup at six furlongs and the $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile, which features defending Breeders’ Cup Mile champion Singletary. Both races are part of a pick six with a carry-over of $88,200.

Belmont, host track for the Breeders’ Cup, has three graded races, topped by the $500,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies and the $500,000 Champagne for 2-year-olds, both Grade I races.

Keeneland, which began its 17-day season Friday, also has three graded races -- the $250,000 Phoenix Breeders’ Cup at six furlongs, the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity for 2-year-olds and the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile.

The Champagne, a Grade I at one mile, features a rematch between First Samurai and Henny Hughes, the 1-2 finishers in the Hopeful on Aug. 27 at Saratoga. First Samurai, a son of Giant’s Causeway, is unbeaten in three starts, having won by a combined 15 3/4 lengths.

Neither of the local races drew a large field. Seven are expected to go in the Ancient Title, a Grade I, and five will oppose Singletary in the Oak Tree Mile.

Race of the day: Alighini, impressive winning the Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup in her U.S. debut Aug. 29 at Saratoga, will take on males in the Shadwell Turf Mile, a Grade I. Edgar Prado will ride the 4-year-old Australian bred filly for trainer Bobby Frankel.

One for the road: Express News looked good breaking his maiden at Delaware Park on Sept. 14 and can score right back in his first against winners in today’s fifth at Keeneland. Prado will ride the 2-year-old Storm Cat colt in the $52,000 allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Captain Squire and Gotaghostofachance in the sixth, King Of Happiness and Designed For Luck in the seventh and Jet West, In The Clutch and Dynawhite in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/20. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.80/$108.60. Total money bet: $136.