ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) -Rip Van Winkle is no sleeper in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
At least not according to the British bookmakers, who figure to install the European invader as the wagering favorite in Saturday's race at Santa Anita.
On this side of the Atlantic, Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White said he would make Zenyatta the morning-line favorite if she runs against the boys for the first time in the Classic, as expected.
White said he would make Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Rip Van Winkle the second choice and Belmont winner Summer Bird third.
Rip Van Winkle is expected to clear the 42-hour quarantine Tuesday and will test the synthetic track for the first time on Wednesday.
Final entries and the post-position draw is Tuesday.
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DEFECTIONS: The Breeders' Cup lost two potential entries Monday.
Allicansayis Wow was declared out of the Filly & Mare Sprint after trainer Patrick Biancone discovered that she had torn a ligament in her left front leg.
``It's an unfortunate injury and the timing is all wrong, but there is nothing that we can do,'' he said.
Kodiak Kowboy won't run in the Sprint after going a half-mile in the morning. He didn't check out upon close inspection after his workout and will be put on antibiotics.
Dave in Dixie was withdrawn from the Juvenile.
``I'm going to have a real nice horse for this winter,'' trainer John Sadler said. ``There's nothing wrong with him; we just thought we'd do better to give him some time.''
Dave in Dixie has only raced twice, winning a maiden race at Del Mar in August and finishing sixth in the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita last month.
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CLASSIC CONFIRMATIONS: Awesome Gem and Colonel John are definite to run in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic after being cross-entered in other races.
Hawthorne Gold Cup winner Awesome Gem finished third in the 2007 and sixth in the Mile last year. He jogged at Hollywood Park Monday before being vanned over to Santa Anita. The 6-year-old gelding was entered in both races, but trainer Craig Dollase settled on the Classic.
``I liked the bigger purse and the mile and a quarter,'' he said.
Colonel John, the son of two-time Classic winner Tiznow, finished sixth in last year's Classic. He was entered in that race and the Mile, but trainer Eoin Harty said he decided to go in the Classic.
Colonel John ran five furlongs in 59 4-5 seconds Monday, his final workout before Garrett Gomez rides him Saturday.
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HEROES AND HORSES: More than 350 U.S. troops and about 2,000 firefighters and emergency workers who battled the recent wildfire in the Angeles National Forest will be honored on Saturday at the Breeders' Cup.
Admission will be free for them and their families. A designated hospitality area will be set aside in the infield and lunch will be served as part of the ``Heroes and Horses'' tribute.
The day at the races is sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, which was formed by Terry Finley, a former Army captain and West Point graduate. Breeders' Cup Classic entrant Awesome Gem is owned by Finley's group.
