A year ago, a victory in Del Mar’s Pat O’Brien Stakes was worth a free trip east for the Breeders’ Cup. A free spot and travel expenses to the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile will be on the line again in Saturday’s edition, but the trip will be quicker and easier this time for the winner. With the Breeders’ Cup set for Santa Anita Park, it will be a home game of sorts for West Coast-based runners like the 11 squaring off in the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Pat O’Brien.

1. Moose Mitchell (5-1 morning-line odds): He’s won three in a row, but this a rough spot for a former claimer to make his stakes debut. He has the speed. The question he needs to answer is, does he have the class?

JOCKEY: Mario Gutierrez TRAINER: George Papaprodromou

2. Go Joe Won (50-1): Finished fourth behind Moose Mitchell last out, his seasonal debut. He should have more fitness this time, but faces a tough assignment here.

JOCKEY: Jose Valdivia Jr. TRAINER: Paula Capestro

3. Hoist the Gold (12-1): Showed little in the Bing Crosby Stakes here last month. Some added distance may help his cause but others are much more appealing.

JOCKEY: Reylu Gutierrez TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

4. Sir Atticus (5-1): Makes his stakes debut in just his fourth career start but has taken some nice steps forward and deserves serious attention. Could provide an emotional moment as he was owned by the late Jerry Moss.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith TRAINER: John Shirreffs

5. C Z Rocket (8-1): Will appreciate the added distance but the 9-year-old seems a step slower than in his prime days.

JOCKEY: Assael Espinoza TRAINER: Peter Miller

6. Brickyard Ride (5-1): Should be helped by the cutback to a sprint after taking on some of the West’s best distance horses in the San Diego Handicap. Will be on or near the pace and could be tough to reel in.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez TRAINER: Craig Lewis

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7. Spirit of Makena (4-1): Lost all chance in the Bing Crosby when he was off slow and then checked. He was only 4.40-1 in that Grade 1 stakes and a return to his prior form – when he won two straight graded stakes – will make him a major force.

JOCKEY: Joe Bravo TRAINER: George Papaprodromou

8. Visitant (8-1): Has not raced since February at Turfway Park on synthetic. Works are sharp but there’s little to indicate he’ll excel on dirt.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu TRAINER: Peter Miller

9. Anarchist (7-2): Battled fiercely in the Bing Crosby and missed winning by a head. If he can duplicate that effort, it should be a winning effort in this field.

JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

10. Vivir Con Alegria (20-1): Showed improvement last out off a layoff at Gulfstream Park, but will need to step up even more to be a factor here.

JOCKEY: Hector Berrios  TRAINER: Amador Sanchez

11. Bye Bye Bobby (20-1): Usually brings home a check, but that’s been in minor stakes company. This seems like a reach for him.

JOCKEY: Drayden Van Dyke  TRAINER: Todd Fincher

THE PICK: Anarchist

LIVE LONGSHOT: Brickyard Ride

SUPERFECTA: 9-7-6-4.