Horse Racing News on October 29, 2013

Back on the beam after a slow start to the 2013 campaign, Little Mike is set to defend his title against a solid field of domestic and foreign entrants in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Sweet Reason will be the morning line favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies based on posting up a division-high 98 Beyer figure while rolling to a 5 ¼-length victory in the seven-furlong Spinaway Stakes Sept. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

While three of the top four finishers from last year's Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint return to this year's edition of the six-furlong race at Santa Anita Park, a well-traveled Southern California-based blazer not from that group figures prominently.

The Breeders' Cup Distaff may only have a field of six, but they have created perhaps the most riveting puzzle in the entire series this year.