Lane Way established himself as a leading local candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with a victory over the host course in Saturday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes. He’ll prepare at his Santa Anita base for next month’s race, leading a “home team” bracing for what could be a sizeable European contingent. Highfield Princess put herself back at the head of that group by overcoming a poor draw to get up for the win in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye on Oct. 1 at Longchamp. It was the fourth career Group 1 win for the 6-year-old mare, but her first in five attempts at the level this year. Trainer John Quinn told the European press immediately after the race that a return to the BC Turf Sprint is a strong possibility for Highfield Princess, who was fourth, beaten less than two lengths by Caravel, in last year’s edition at Keeneland. “I wouldn’t rule out the Breeders’ Cup or the big sprint at Hong Kong in December,” Quinn said, referring to the Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 10. “It’s [the owner’s] decision whether she’ll race on next year, but as long as she’s okay she could go to Santa Anita or Sha Tin.” A pathfinder for the European contingent is already on American soil. Live In The Dream shipped into the Kentucky Import Center at Churchill Downs last week to train at that track while clearing quarantine. The gelding will head down the highway to Keeneland for the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes on Saturday. Live In The Dream is coming off a breakthrough win in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes in August; Highfield Princess was second, and Bradsell, a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot also considered a Breeders’ Cup possibility, was third. :: BREEDERS’ CUP 2023: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more for each division Live In The Dream now faces a large field of 12 in an American-style sprint, including a pair from Wesley Ward, known for his prowess in this division, in Eye Witness and Kaufymaker. Caravel also may have a prep at Keeneland, following a similar path as last fall. The mare had a five-race win streak – which included the BC Turf Sprint and Grade 1 Jaipur – snapped when fourth in the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga. Trainer Brad Cox immediately drew a line through that result due to the soft turf. Caravel, back in a steady work pattern at Churchill, is virtually certain to get firm ground at Santa Anita – although in her lone prior trip to California, she was 12th in the 2021 Turf Sprint at Del Mar for her previous connections. Meanwhile, Lane Way and other locals await the shippers. Lane Way completed a strong fall and winter campaign by winning the Clockers’ Corner in January at Santa Anita. He was then freshened, returning to the work tab in July. :: Bet the races with a $250 First Deposit Match + $10 Free Bet and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. “We gave him a good rest. Kind of planned to get him at his best at this time of year, and it worked,” trainer Richard Mandella said. After finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Green Flash on Sept. 2 at Del Mar, Lane Way was tighter for the Eddie D four weeks later. “He was just coming off a layoff last time. He made a nice late run but he got a little tired in the end,” regular rider Mike Smith said. “He got so much out of that, and he should get so much out of this, it should put us right where we need to be come Breeders’ Cup time.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.