The fun of thoroughbred racing is spotting the horse that brought their Game Face with them after traveling an arduous but Quality Road through a campaign that leads to the Breeders’ Cup races.

            However, a quick look at the past performances and you won’t need to be an Einstein to discover the influence that Gulfstream Park has had on thoroughbred racing’s championship festival, which will be conducted Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita.

            There are 14 Breeders’ Cup races in all, six of which will be contested Friday, the remainder Saturday, capped by the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

            Gulfstream Park, America’s winter playground and three-time host of America’s Biggest Day at the Races, will be the venue to watch and wager on the races. Advance wagering on the Breeders’ Cup races begins Thursday night. First post for Friday’s Santa Anita card is 2:15; for Saturday it’s 1:05.

            Gulfstream Park’s Ten Palms will be offering a $12.95, all-you-can-eat buffet lunch each day, beginning at noon on Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Lunch service concludes at 4 p.m. each day.

            Additionally, Gulfstream Park will be offering an “Action Package:” Guests making the $10 purchase will be rewarded with a $2 betting voucher; a hot dog; a beer; a program; a Breeders’ Cup selection sheet authored by Gulfstream Park’s track handicapper, Ron Nicoletti, and either a folding chair or a T-short (as long as supplies last).

            Einstein, who was third in this year’s Donn Handicap prior to winning Santa Anita’s famous Big ‘Cap over the same course and distance as Saturday’s Classic, and Quality Road, who catapulted to Kentucky Derby favoritism after winning the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, are listed at 12-1 going into the Classic.

            Einstein, incidentally, is owned by Frank Stronach, Chairman of Magna Entertainment Corp., which owns both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.

            Game Face is 10-1 in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

            Another Gulfstream grad, Capt. Candyman Can, a favorite of younger fans, is listed at a generous 15-1 in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

            The schedule of Breeders’ Cup races (with post times) for both Friday and Saturday follows:

Friday                                                                                                 Saturday

Marathon (3:35)                                                                                   Juvenile Turf (1:45)

Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:08)                                                                     Turf Sprint (2:23)

Juvenile Fillies (4:45)                                                                             Sprint (3:10)

Filly and Mare Turf (5:23)                                                                     Juvenile (3:49)

Filly and Mare Sprint    (6:02)                                                               Mile (4:28)

Ladies Classic  (6:45)                                                                           Dirt Mile (5:12)

                                                                                                            Turf (5:57)

                                                                                                            Classic (6:45)