Highland Cat Today??

- In the midst of all the Breeders’ Cup excitement, Highland Cat is entered as a main track only in the 9th today. It’s not a question of whether the race is coming off the turf – that’s a virtual certainty. Depends on how many scratch and ultimately if Bill Turner wants to take on what seems like a pretty tough group, though who knows at this point who will run or not. There are some expensive horses in here, led by Pletcher’s Ivanovsky, a $950,000 Saint Ballado colt who chased Discreet Cat and Superfly at 5-2 in his debut at Saratoga. Foreign Minister is a $700,000 yearling trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, who has popped at least a couple first timers at this meet; he’s a half to Scipion and Vindication. He’s coupled with Flashy Bull, a close second in his last, earning a field-high 80 Beyer.

Cielo Song is entered for Mott - Castellano is named but his first call is Highland Cat. He closed for third by a neck on the turf in his debut, but any offspring of Conquistador Cielo is to be feared on a sloppy track. Devil’s Preacher (Pulpit) and Blue Rider (A.P. Indy) both debuted on the turf, but have gaudy Tomlinson numbers, and the latter comes out of a race that has produced two next-out winners.

Looks like a tough spot….waiting for word. Highland Cat’s comment line reads “awkward start, greenly,” but as you all know, he also lost a front shoe before the start yet was able to get up for third.