1

Rockemperor

Irish-bred import won just once from his first dozen starts in the US, but responded to the removal of blinkers to post a 15-1 shocker in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last out. That was his first career stakes victory and he will need to run at least as well in order to turn the tables on several runners in here who have soundly beaten him before.

2

United

Beaten a head at 51-1 in this race two years ago, but faded late stages behind Tarnawa last year. The 6-year-old gelding is 3-2-0 from six starts at Del Mar, with a tough-trip fourth in Del Mar Handicap (G2) two back the only time he has been out of the exacta here.

3

Domestic Spending

Lightly-raced 4-year-old. Has never been this far, but same was true of Bricks and Mortar when he won 2019 edition of this race. Top grass rider Flavien Prat has forsaken 2019 BC Turf runner-up United to retain the mount. Shipped in to win 2020 Hollywood Derby (G1) on this course.

4

Astronaut

Late-blooming son of Quality Road didn’t record his initial win until March of this year. That maiden victory was followed by three runner-up finishes, the third one coming in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3), and he then pulled off an upset of stunning proportions to win Del Mar Handicap (G2) and a free roll to this event. Tested for class first time against top-level opposition.

5

Tribhuvan

Been allowed to roll along up front and has been vastly improved through four starts this year, winning Fort Marcy Stakes (G2) and United Nations Stakes (G1). Didn’t get a great setup when relegated to chasing mode last out in Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) and faded to fifth late.

6

Acclimate

Grizzled veteran set or forced the pace to midstretch in 2019 BC Turf before getting overrun, then was sidelined for a year and has managed only a win in San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3) in nine outings since last November.

7

Walton Street

Sidelined for more than a year after running second in the 2019 Prix de Reux (G3), but has come back to notch three stakes victories this year climaxed by Canadian International Stakes (G1) at Woodbine on 18 September by nearly six lengths. Relishes this distance and has the kind of tactical speed that tends to play well on the Del Mar layout.

8

Broome

Heavily raced this year with 4-3-0 record from nine starts, and case can be made that he is over the top after no-factor run in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) over the kind of rain-softened turf he had handled previously. Capable of hitting the board if bringing a game for Aidan O’Brien, who has won this race a record six times.

9

Sisfahan

French-bred 3-year-old based in Germany has run just six times and has never finished out of the money. Defeated 19 rivals to win Deutsches Derby (G1) at Hamburg with a strong stretch run on 4 July. Comes off two good efforts against older in Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) and Preis von Europa (G1).

10

Yibir

Godolphin homebred appears to do his best running on firmer going. That notion was underscored by eye-catching run that propelled him from last to first in Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes and earned him a spot in this field. Improved 3-year-old has now won three of last four and gets weight facing older for the first time.

11

Gufo

Closed fast but came out on short end of three-way photo in 2020 Hollywood Derby (G1) behind Domestic Spending on this course. After running third to that rival second time out this year, he added blinkers and posted consecutive stakes triumphs including Sword Dancer Stakes (G1). The deep closer made a premature run to the lead and paid the price when upended as the choice in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last out.

12

Teona

No threat to winner in her first two starts of the season, notably when compromised by the going in Oaks Stakes (G1), but after returning from a freshening with a win over males in a Listed stake at Windsor she turned the tables on that classy opponent to take the Prix Vermeille (G1) as a 17-1 chance.

13

Tarnawa

Top-class mare overcame some trouble at start to win 2020 BC Turf (G1) with a big late run. Mimicking schedule from last year she did not make seasonal debut until August, and has had three outings, the latest when again off a bit slow and able to salvage second in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), Europe’s richest race. Tight turns and short stretch may work against the favorite.

14

Japan

Accomplished son of Galileo has won group races across three different seasons, although blanked last year at age 4. Unlucky in Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) first time in US when beaten a neck by Gufo after being forced to alter course midstretch. Came up empty in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) after that.

Reserves

15

Bolshoi Ballet

Late rally was enough to prevail in Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1) first time in US, but failed to move on when fourth in Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1) and Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes after that. Would be in deep waters meeting older foes for the first time.

16

Channel Maker

Veteran of 42 starts boasts four wins at the G1 level, but after running second in Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia to begin 7-year-old campaign he has been out of the money in all four attempts. Looms early factor at best if able to crack the field.

17

Mogul

Has managed just one in-the-money finish from four starts since winning rich Hong Kong Vase (G1) last December. Passed tired rivals to wind up fifth in last year’s renewal of this race at Keeneland when in far better form.

18

Friar’s Road

Improved to win an allowance optional claiming race when switched to grass on 28 August, then rallied from last to wind up third in a photo behind United and Acclimate in John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2).