Seven horses bred in the mid-Atlantic region were pre-entered for this coming weekend’s Breeders’ Cup.  The group is a mixed bag, with a little something for everyone.  That includes:

• 3 Pennsylvania-breds.
• 2 Virginia-breds.
• 1 Maryland-bred.
• 1 West Virginia-bred — who, remarkably enough, is based in Ireland, trained by Aidan O’Brien, and named for an Italian portrait painter.  Really.
• 1 horse, Princess of Sylmar, who, with a win and some help, could find herself squarely in the Horse of the Year conversation.
• 1 horse, Havelock, who previously ran in the Breeders’ Cup, in 2011.
• 4 horses in turf races, versus 3 on the dirt.
• 1 horse — Havelock again — in a sprint, while the rest are going a route of ground.
• 2 horses slated to run at least 1 1/2 miles, Real Solution (Turf) and Blueskiesnrainbows (Marathon).
• 3 horses — Princess of Sylmar, Bond Holder, and Real Solution — who won Breeders’ Cup Challenge races to earn their slots on the big day(s).

The list:

[table id=38 /]

(Featured image, of Princess of Sylmar,  by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.)