Magician© Photo Healy Racing
Magician is set to lead Aidan O'Brien's assault on the Breeders' Cup as he bids to win the Turf for the second year running.
Ryan Moore was in the saddle when Magician defeated The Fugue at Santa Anita last year but O'Brien's son, Joseph, is set to be in the plate on Saturday week.
Connections have had this race in mind for Magician following his second place behind Hardest Core in the Arlington Million in August.
"He's in good form. He ran well in Arlington and after that we decided to keep him for this. It's so far so good," said O'Brien.
"We've had to sometimes run him in bad ground over here, but fast ground is what he likes.
"He's been second in three Group Ones this season and we've freshened him up for this."
Magician could be joined in the Turf by Chicquita, who threw away her chance of winning the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot on Saturday when veering to the left and ended up finishing third to Madame Chiang.
"She ran well at Ascot and is in the mile-and-a-quarter race, but we might have the Turf as her first choice," said the Ballydoyle trainer.
O'Brien is to represented in three of the races for two-year-olds, with Qualify going for the Juvenile Fillies' Turf, The Great War for the Juvenile and War Envoy in the Juvenile Turf.
"Qualify's a very nice filly who will love the fast ground and will love the mile," he said.
"We're really looking forward to her. She's a big, rangy filly, so we weren't going to risk her on the soft ground.
"The Great War needs a good pace and hopefully he'll act on the dirt.
"He's in good form. Not all War Fronts go on the dirt but hopefully he will.
"War Envoy ran well at Doncaster and ran well in the Champagne.
"Ryan (Moore) thinks he's progressing as time goes on, and I don't think a mile will be a problem," he said.
Asked if his son was likely to ride Magician, and Moore the two-year-olds, the Ballydoyle trainer said: "I'd say that - exactly."
The Breeders' Cup Turf is also the target of Telescope, who had Magician back in sixth when second to Taghrooda in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in July.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old was also third to O'Brien's dual Derby winner Australia in the Juddmonte International at York in August.
"Stoutey was keen (on this race) after the Juddmonte, where he ran very well, but the mile and a quarter's not his bag," said Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
"He's going back up to a mile and a half and he will love those conditions.
"The plan was conceived in August, and those that have been targeted for it and are fresher tend to do better."
Sir Alex Ferguson is a part of the Telescope syndicate and the former Manchester United manager is expected to cheer on the horse in California.
"That's the plan, he's very much hoping to go," said Herbert.
"He also will hopefully have Opinion running in the Melbourne Cup but I don't think he'd do both."
Herbert also looks after the interests of Al Shaqab Racing, who have two runners in Toronado, who goes for the Mile, and Juvenile Fillies' Turf contender Osaila.
"Toronado should be fine on the ground. He's in good shape, is lightly raced and is going into it having worked very well," said Herbert.
"Hopefully he'll be in the right shape to be competitive. The key is getting out of the gates - with the bells ringing, etcetera - as he's fairly effective going from the front.
"Osaila is an improving filly but the question is, can she improve that little bit more?
"She's got the mind and the scope to be a successful three-year-old and she goes on fast ground.
"Her coat had gone after her last race, but clipped out she looks really well."
Hugo Palmer believes Aktabantay was made for American conditions and cannot wait to see his star youngster, winner of the Solario Stakes, line up for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
"It's hugely exciting to have a horse good enough to take to the Breeders' Cup," said Palmer.
"He's been in fantastic shape since he finished sixth at Longchamp two and a half weeks ago, that's why he's heading for Santa Anita.
"His run at Longchamp was encouraging and unlucky in equal measure. He was buried on the rail and had to challenge wide and late and was only beaten just over two lengths.
"The conditions are exactly what he has been crying out for.
"He's undoubtedly a fast-ground horse, so the fast ground should suit him, as should the likely strong pace."
Connections of Aktabantay confirmed that Olivier Peslier has been recruited for the colt's American adventure.
Palmer is one of four British trainers hoping to have their first Breeders' Cup runners.
Jamie Osborne has UAE Derby winner Toast Of New York pencilled in for the Classic and Prize Exhibit entered in Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Charlie Fellowes has Wet Sail in the Juvenile Turf, while David Brown is represented by War Alert in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Wind Fire, whose first preference is the Xpressbet Sprint, with the Turf Sprint a second option.
