The FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund typically brings together some of the world’s best turf runners.  This year’s 40^th edition at Santa Anita is no exception with five starters with international connections playing prominent positions in a race that has showcased some of the Breeders’ Cup’s brightest stars.

1. Shirl’s Speight (30-1): He was second in last year’s 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile at a whopping 55-1 odds and figures to be a big price once again. With the prospect of a ground-saving trip from the rail and exiting a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile, he certainly deserves a close look.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez TRAINER: Roger Attfield

2. Gina Romantica (12-1): Chad Brown-trained filly has blossomed in her last two starts, winning the Grade 1 First Lady presented by UK HealthCare and beating a top rival in stablemate In Italian. A filly and mare can thrive in this race as evidenced by Goldikova and Miesque, among others.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione TRAINER: Chad Brown

Luis Saez aboard Casa Creed. (Gary Johnson/Eclipse Sportswire)

3. Casa Creed (8-1): The 7-year-old would be best suited by a 6 ½-furlong sprint but he’s quite accomplished at a mile, winning the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga the last two years. A very serious threat in this field.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez  TRAINER: Bill Mott

4. Win Carnellan (30-1): Japanese runner has struggled in Grade 1 races and will need to take a few steps forward to land in the winner’s circle here.

JOCKEY: Kosei Miura  TRAINER: Yuichi Shikato

5. Lucky Score (30-1): Should not be overlooked here, especially at the price. Missed by a head in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at six furlongs and has been no worse than third in his last nine tries. The mile might be a bit long for him but he could land in the exotics, especially with Irad Ortiz Jr. jumping aboard.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr. TRAINER: Mark Casse

6. Mawj (4-1): Speedy 3-year-old filly won Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes presented by Dixiana in her U.S. debut. Faces a tough assignment here, but there’s not an abundance of early speed which can help her chances.

JOCKEY: Oisin Murphy TRAINER: Saeed bin Suroor

7. Masteroffoxhounds (30-1): The mile distance seems a tad short for him based on his strong efforts at a mile and a quarter. The pace here will not flatter him.

JOCKEY: Edwin Maldonado TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

8. Du Jour (6-1): Ideally suited by a mile with a mark of four wins and three seconds at the distance. Lost by a neck in  the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Kilroe Mile Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita in March. Could give Baffert his first Breeders’ Cup win on turf.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat TRAINER: Bob Baffert

9. Astronomer (20-1): Was second in a Grade 2 turf stakes at Santa Anita in September, but faces a tough climb into Grade 1 waters for the first time.

JOCKEY: Ryan Moore TRAINER: Simon Callaghan

Songline. (Kaz Ishida/Eclipse Sportswire)

10. Songline (5-2): A multiple Grade 1 winner in Japan, she had a nice prep in a Grade 2 stakes back home last month. Didn’t fire in a Saudi Arabia race in February in which Casa Creed finished second, but seems quite capable of a more representative effort here.

JOCKEY: Keita Tosaki TRAINER: Toru Hayashi

11. Kelina (6-1): Won the prestigious Prix de la Foret in France but was 27-1 that day. His other tries in Group 1 stakes do not inspire confidence.

JOCKEY: Maxime Guyon TRAINER: Carlos Laffon-Parias

12. Exaulted (20-1): Some intriguing results, like a win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita in the spring, but his running style may work against him from this post.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez TRAINER: Peter Eurton

13. More Than Looks (15-1): Three-year-old colt tries his elders for the first time in a stakes and could be a late threat. Will need a great ride from Rosario to avoid a costly wide trip.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario  TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

14. Master of The Seas (7-2): With a better post, he’s the top pick. But from post 14 a lot can go wrong. He looked very impressive in his two North American starts but they were from the rail.

JOCKEY: William Buick TRAINER: Charlie Appleby

THE PICK: Songline 

LIVE LONGSHOT: Casa Creed

SUPERFECTA: 10-3-14-8