DEL MAR — There are purple signs and banners all over this small seaside village and its racetrack, which can mean only one thing: The Breeders’ Cup is back in town. Fourteen “world championship” races involving more than 160 horses will be run over the next two days for $30 million in purse money. The most lucrative day is Saturday, with nine races — including the $7 million Classic, the richest race run in North America. Before that comes what the Breeders’ Cup calls “Future Stars Friday” — five races, all for 2-year-olds. The most anticipated of those races, as it is most years, is the $2 million Juvenile, which usually produces the 2-year-old champion as well as the early favorite for the following spring’s Kentucky Derby (even though in 40 years only Street Sense and Nyquist have completed the Juvenile-Derby double). Barring a major surprise, that likely will be the case with this year’s race, which shapes up as a strong one. There are five unbeaten horses, and several other contenders in the field of 10. “It’s a deep field,” said trainer Chad Brown, who won the first Juvenile contested at Del Mar with Good Magic in 2017 and will saddle second choice Chancer McPatrick (3-1) on Friday. “There’s probably about six horses that no one would be surprised if one of them won.” Atop that list is morning-line favorite East Avenue (5-2), who not only has been impressive in winning his first two starts by a total of 13¼ lengths but also has wowed clockers and handicappers and even fellow trainers with his appearance this week. “He’s had a great week since he came out here. He’s been doing very well, so we’re very happy with him and just looking forward to tomorrow,” trainer Brendan Walsh said Thursday after the son of Medaglia d’Oro completed his morning exercise. Perhaps the only complication for East Avenue could be his post position. The colt has speed, but he’ll have to use it at the beginning of the race to avoid being trapped, and that brings into play the danger of a speed duel. Either could compromise his chances. Walsh said he just wants a clean start and then he’ll trust jockey Tyler Gaffalione to either set the pace or take back if needed. Even though East Avenue hasn’t trailed in either of his starts, Walsh said if other horses “want to go crazy, he can sit off them. It won’t be a problem for him.” Related Articles Sports | Horse racing: A bettors’ guide to the Breeders’ Cup races at Del Mar Sports | Horse racing notes: Fillies star on Del Mar’s Breeders’ Cup undercards Sports | Horse racing safety has improved in last 5 years, but some wonder if scrutiny has gone too far Sports | Del Mar horse racing consensus picks for Thursday, October 31, 2024 Sports | Bryce Miller: Japan’s rise at Breeders’ Cup tied to winning runs at Del Mar in 2021 Brown is hoping for a fast pace, since Chancer McPatrick is a come-from-behind horse. Brown’s concern is the Del Mar surface hasn’t always been kind to late runners. The third choice on the morning line is another unbeaten colt, Jonathan’s Way. He rallied from near the back of the pack to win his debut, then led from gate to wire in the Iroquois Stakes last month at Churchill Downs. The oddity of the race, especially given his success at Del Mar, is that Bob Baffert does not train any of the top four choices. But the five-time Juvenile winner is starting three horses, including two Grade I winners and a third horse who captured a Grade III race at Del Mar. His one undefeated starter is Gaming, a son of 2018 Juvenile champion Game Winner. Gaming won the Grade I Del Mar Futurity this summer but unlike Baffert’s other two starters — Citizen Bull and Getaway Car, who ran 1-2 in the American Pharoah at Santa Anita — did not have a two-turn prep race. “He’s doing very well,” Baffert said. “I just wanted to run him fresh. I’m not worried about the distance.” Baffert had a strong contender in the day’s other $2 million race, the Juvenile Fillies, but he was forced to scratch Non Compliant with a foot injury. He still has the long shot Nooni, who won this summer’s Sorrento Stakes here, but the favorites are Frizette winner Scottish Lassie and the unbeaten Immersive. Japan has a strong contender as well with American Bikini, a daughter of Baffert’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The other three Cup races Friday are on the grass, worth $1 million each, and all have full fields: Japan’s Ecoro Sieg is favored (7-2) in the Turf Sprint; the Irish-bred Lake Victoria is a stronger choice (8-5) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the British-bred New Century is the early favorite (5-2) in the Juvenile Turf, the last race of the day. Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Friday First post: 11:35 a.m. (10 races) Weather.com forecast: 68 degrees, partly cloudy Cup races: Juvenile Turf Sprint (2:45 p.m.), Juvenile Fillies (3:25), Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:05), Juvenile (4:45), Juvenile Turf (5:25) On the air: 1 p.m.-5 p.m., USA Network; all races on FanDuel TV and breederscup.com; all Cup races streamed on Peacock Saturday First post: 10:05 a.m. (12 races) Weather.com forecast: 67 degrees, mostly cloudy, 15 percent chance of showers Cup races: Filly & Mare Sprint (noon), Turf Sprint (12:41), Distaff (1:21), Turf (2:01), Classic (2:41), Filly and Mare Turf (3:25), Sprint (4:05), Mile (4:45), Dirt Mile (5:25) On the air: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., USA Network; 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m., Ch. 7/39; 3 p.m.-5 p.m., USA; all races except Classic on FanDuel TV and breederscup.com; all Cup races streamed on Peacock