Epicenter (Classic) continued to impress in his gallops as he went out shortly after 8am and went 1 1/2 miles under regular exercise rider Roberto Howell.  "He's just a fabulous horse," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who is seeking a third Classic victory. "I really love how he's physically matured throughout the year. It's a tough running of the race. It's easily the best race he's ever been in, but his confidence level is where you would want it. He's training beautifully."

Flightline (Classic) galloped 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Juan Leyva at 5am and then schooled in the paddock at 10:30am. Leyva said, "Best horse I ever sat on. There is a certain amount of pride that they entrust you with this kind of horse. I tell him to chill out (when the horse reacts to aircraft taking off from nearby Blue Grass Airport). You don't have to take off yet!"

Hot Rod Charlie (Classic) galloped 1 1/8 miles under exercise rider Connor Murray. Trainer Doug O'Neill said, "He just continues to be so competitive, and he brings it every time. I think the biggest change from what we saw a couple of years back (when he ran in the 2020 Juvenile) is just a taller, bigger version of himself who continues to try just as hard every time we run him." Jockey Tyler Gaffalione added, "He's grown up a lot (since 2020). He's much bigger, much more powerful and much more mature. Right now it seems like he's the complete package."

Olympiad (Classic) galloped twice around just before sunrise under assistant trainer Neil Poznansky. Trainer Bill Mott said, "If you've got a nice horse and want to give them a career, you've got to be patient. You have to watch and observe and if you think they have issues that need to be taken care of early on. Fortunately, with him, we had some baby issues and gave him the time and he's repaid us for it. Everybody wants a (Kentucky) Derby winner and I have got one in the barn right now that we can start prepping in the spring for it, but the reality is that there's only 20 horses going into that gate out of 20,000 foals born, so not everybody can do it. A lot can't make it for one reason or another, some aren't good enough and some aren't ready for it, but if you get one that's good enough and ready, let's go."

Taiba (Classic) galloped 2 miles and schooled in the paddock. Trainer Bob Baffert said, "I love watching (favorite Flightline) work. I'm out there and I've seen all of his works. John (Sadler) and I sit up there in the same area and we watch the way he does everything. He's very aggressive. Horses like that are very easy to get ready. Some of these horses I feel I have a really good chance of winning with, but with (Taiba) I'm just thinking if I could run second or third. He breaks really well. He breaks like he's going to go to the lead and then all of a sudden he sort of falls back. He likes to run at a target and I just hope he can see his target."

Blue Stripe (Distaff) galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Efrain Lopez. Trainer Marcelo Polanco said, "The break after the Breeders' Cup last year was by design. We wanted to keep her fresh. There was one other race in between (the Zenyatta at Santa Anita Oct. 2), but we didn't want to do too much."

Nest (Distaff) galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Nora McCormack, and also schooled in the starting gate and paddock. Trainer Todd Pletcher said the gate schooling was normal operating procedure for his fillies that have not had any issues at the gate in the past.

Society (Distaff) galloped twice around. Trainer Steve Asmussen said, "She's obviously coming off two very fast races. She's trained really well over this racetrack. It's just an unbelievably accomplished group of older mares this year, but she's running as fast as anybody and we're excited about trying her."

Bye Bye Melvin (Turf) comes here off a second place finish in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct for trainer Graham Motion.

Master Piece (Turf) galloped twice around before dawn.  "Master Piece has been great this year," said trainer Mike McCarthy. "He had a little bit of a freshening, came back and ran respectable off the bench in San Francisco (when fourth in the All American Stakes at Golden Gate). His race in the Eddie Reed was phenomenal. He was unlucky in the Del Mar Handicap. He had to make a couple different moves and things just didn't seem to go his way pace wise that day. (Jockey) Flavien (Prat) rode him patiently and he was rolling at the end. He's doing great now."

War Like Goddess (Turf) was ponied 1 1/4 miles riderless on the training track with Bill Mott aboard the pony and then schooled in the paddock at 10:30am.

Going to Vegas (Filly & Mare Turf) schooled in the paddock. She won the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita last out for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Lady Speightspeare (Filly & Mare Turf) comes here off a 3 race win streak all at Woodbine, the Nassau (G2), Trillium (G3), and Seaway (G3) for trainer Roger Attfield.

Mise En Scene (Filly & Mare Turf) did a strong canter over 7f under regular work rider Katie Webb. She wore cheekpieces for the first time this morning which she will wear in the race on Saturday. Webb said, "Mise En Scene did a nice strong canter this morning and went very well. She took to the cheekpieces great, and I couldn't be happier with her at this stage." Trainer James Ferguson is flying in from Australia where he saddled Deauville Legend to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

Moira (Filly & Mare Turf) winner of the Queen's Plate finished second in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) in her turf debut but was disqualified and placed 8th.

Nashwa (Filly & Mare Turf) won the Prix de Diane (French Oaks G1) and the Nassau Stakes (G1) before finishing a close second in the Prix de l'Opera for trainers John and Thady Gosden.

Beyond Brilliant (Mile) galloped twice around. Trainer John Shirreffs said, "He's trained very well. His last two in California were exceptional. He shipped in well and is nice and bright. I think the Mile is sort of an interesting race because everybody's going to be riding tight with the tight turns. And, so I think for us, because our horse has speed, he will be in a good position. He'll hopefully find an opening or something good happens during the race that gives him a better chance to win. I think that experience on the tighter tracks in California will help and hopefully we have good luck and have an opportunity."

Gear Jockey (Mile) finished 4th in the Woodford Stakes (G2) for trainer Rusty Arnold.

King Cause (Mile) won the Knickerbocker Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct for trainer Mike Maker.

Smooth Like Strait (Mile) was second in both the Shoemaker Mile (G1) and Arlington Million (G1) for trainer Mike McCarthy.

Chain of Love (Filly & Mare Sprint) worked 5f in 1:01.80. Kate Hunter representing the Japan Racing Association said, "She was quite lonely in quarantine when she first arrived but there's now a pony keeping her company and she seems much happier. She breezed this morning which is usual for Japanese horses to do on a Wednesday before a weekend race. Her trainer Mr. (Michihiro) Ogasa was very pleased with what he saw. She is on a one-way ticket and will go to stud here in America."

Goodnight Olive (Filly & Mare Sprint) won the Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga for trainer Chad Brown.

Lady Rocket (Filly & Mare Sprint) finished second in the Gallant Bloom (G2) at Aqueduct for trainer Brad Cox.

Arrest Me Red (Turf Sprint) won the TwinSpires Turf Sprint (G2) before finishing second in the Jaipur (G1) and third in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2) for trainer Wesley Ward.

Casa Creed (Turf Sprint) won the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga but disappointed in fifth in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) for trainer Bill Mott.

Flotus (Turf Sprint) is winless since the Summer Stakes (G3) at York in July, and was 10th in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp last out for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford.

Law Professor (Dirt Mile) won the Tapit Stakes on the Kentucky Downs turf then was second in the Woodward (G1) at Aqueduct for trainer Rob Atras.

Cave Rock (Juvenile) galloped twice around, visited the starting gate, and schooled in the paddock. "We stood on the gate. He needs it," trainer Bob Baffert said. "When he gets in the gate he can get a little bit tight in the gate. He wants to sit down a little bit. He would like to lean up and touch the gate. He was fine."

Congruent (Juvenile) won the Laurel Futurity last out for trainer Antonion Sano.

Forte (Juvenile) galloped 1 1/2 miles and schooled in the paddock. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "They were all very precious and showed their talent right away. They were good students."

Hurricane J (Juvenile) will attempt to become a third-generation Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, as the son of Nyquist (2015) and grandson of Uncle Mo (2010) breaks from post 1. "I'm glad that he has speed, because breaking from the rail, he will have to use it," trainer Paulo Lobo said. "I know it's a huge gap from what he has done to the race that he's going to run in on Saturday, but he's very talented. His last race was very impressive and he took to the Keeneland dirt very well. We have been galloping him more to get the distance. I think he's fit enough, but of course I am concerned first time going two turns, but you never know."

Lost Ark (Juvenile) galloped 1 1/2 miles and schooled in the paddock. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "They were all very precious and showed their talent right away. They were good students."

Verifying (Juvenile) galloped twice around and schooled in the paddock. Trainer Brad Cox said, "I don't think the track was his favorite surface that day. Joel (Rosario) came back and said he tried to hang in there, but he didn't really think he was getting a hold of the track. I think this is going to be a very good horse around two turns and that's what he's going to get on Saturday. I think he is going to make a march forward for sure. The way he's been training and just how he's presented himself around the barn, I do think he's going to really relish the two turns. I'm looking forward to giving him a chance. It's solid race. He's got to move forward, but I think he is and if he does, I think he's going to be in the mix.

Wound Up (Juvenile) was 7th in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) then 5th in the Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita for trainer Mike McCarthy.

And Tell Me Nolies (Juvenile Fillies) galloped once around and then schooled in the paddock. “She shipped really well and she has been doing good since arriving here at Keeneland,” trainer Peter Miller said. "She had a big breeze on Friday, so we are in maintenance mode here. I think the three-hole is fine for her, as far as the post. It could have been a lot worse. She's very tactical and can be wherever she needs to be, as far as early in the race. If the pace is hot, she'll be back, and if it's slow, she'll be close. I'll leave it up to Ramon and hopefully he works out a good trip."

Atomically (Juvenile Fillies) galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Nora McCormack and later schooled in the paddock.

Chocolate Gelato (Juvenile Fillies) galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Amelia Green and later schooled in the paddock. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I don't think (two turns) will be a question considering how well she finished going a mile in the Frizette."

Chop Chop (Juvenile Fillies) galloped once around and schooled in the paddock. Trainer Brad Cox said,  "(Close loss in the Alcibiades) was a tough one to swallow because I felt like she ran a winning race. She just came up a touch short. The main thing is, she came out of it in good order. I feel like she has moved forward from a physical standpoint. She's put on weight since the race and she's done exactly what you want to see a young horse do – move forward at the right time. I think if she breaks a little better this time, she has a big shot."

Grand Love (Juvenile Fillies) galloped twice around. Trainer Steve Asmussen said, "She's coming off a third in the Pocahontas, a race where we expected better. She's a very talented filly. She drew nine of 14. It's going to be a very interesting Juvenile Fillies with the run to the first turn."

Sabra Tuff (Juvenile Fillies), winless since her debut, was fifth in the Alcibiades (G1) last out for trainer Dallas Stewart.

Wonder Wheel (Juvenile Fillies) galloped once around. Trainer Mark Casse said, "There wasn't a whole lot of speed in the Alcibiades. It looks like there will be a fair amount of speed (in the Juvenile Fillies). We've got some New York fillies coming that have only run one turn so they're going to be doing something they haven't done before. The first turn is going to be interesting. I would say we're going to be fairly close (to the pace). I don't overanalyze that stuff. We've got Tyler (Gaffalione), and he's one of the best in the game so we'll let him figure that out."

Major Dude (Juvenile Turf) galloped 1 1/2 miles with Nora McCormack aboard and then schooled in the paddock. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I loved his debut on the grass (winning the Pilgrim Stakes). He handled that fine and I think he will handle the firm. He has had two good works over the course here."

Alluring Angel (Juvenile Fillies Turf) comes here off a 4th place finish in the Ms. Grillo Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct for trainer Jorge Abreu.

Comanche Country (Juvenile Fillies Turf) won the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Surfer Girl Stakes (G3) for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Delight (Juvenile Fillies Turf) galloped twice around. Trainer Jonathan Thomas said, "She's progressed really nicely over the year. We started her here early in the spring. Bought her out of a 2-year-old sale and sprinted her, knowing she'd probably need a little bit more ground but it was a good chance to get some experience. Then we tapped the brakes for a couple months and brought her to Saratoga. She ran a very good third against a good filly of Chad (Brown, Pink Hue) and Xigera, who is trained by Phil Bauer and was third in the Alcibiades. She's kept good company."

G Laurie (Juvenile Fillies Turf) galloped once around under exercise rider Jordan Thompson. Trainer Graham Motion said, "She's going to need a clean trip because these races are so competitive, and you have to get a clean trip to overcome the competition. I think if she can run back to that race (her last start) and improve, there's every reason she should be competitive. It's just a little hard to gauge because (in the Natalma Stakes) she didn't get to run her race."

Midnight Mile (Juvenile Fillies Turf) is 2-for-2 including the Oh So Sharp Stakes (G3) at Newmarket for trainer Richard Fahey.

Dramatised (Juvenile Turf Sprint) won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot but was fifth in the Lowther (G2) at York last out for trainer Karl Burke.

Lady Hollywood (Juvenile Turf Sprint) won the Prix d'Arenburg (G3) for trainer Alice Haynes.

Oxymore (Juvenile Turf Sprint) galloped once around under exercise rider Peter Leiva Roman and then schooled in the paddock. Trainer Chad Brown said, "He's 2-for-2 around one turn, so I thought I would drop him back. In his last race, he got a little late going two turns and was probably back a little quick. He had a tough race at Saratoga and it took a lot out of him. I don't think he was up to running back, but it was such a big purse ($510,000), he was doing well and he was favored in the race. I tried and it didn't work out."

Persian Force (Juvenile Turf Sprint), winless since the July Stakes (G2) at Newmarket, was third in the Middle Park Stakes (G1) last out for trainer Richard Hannon.

Pleasant Passage (Juvenile Fillies Turf) brings a perfect two-for-two mark into Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) for trainer Shug McGaughey. "She got through on the inside in her debut at Saratoga and the logical progression was to go to the Miss Grillo. In the Miss Grillo, she had the inside and no one went with her and Irad (Ortiz Jr.) took advantage," McGaughey said.

Private Creed (Juvenile Turf Sprint) won the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint and the Indian Summer Stakes for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Sharp Aza Tack (Juvenile Turf Sprint) galloped 1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack training track under exercise rider Connor Murray. Trainer Doug O'Neill said, "Kentucky Downs is also a very unique oval. I think there are a lot of turns and a lot of ups and downs so I think (drifting in the stretch) was just him following the course. He tried hard, ran good and came out of it good. We're expecting a big effort from him. I think the conventional oval will do him good this weekend. He's just super athletic. He just looks like a racehorse. He's very well balanced and he checks all the boxes of what a good racehorse looks like. He definitely hasn't disappointed us."

The Platinum Queen (Juvenile Turf Sprint) won the Prix de l'Abbaye (G1) against older horses at Longchamp last out for trainer Richard Hannon.

Lava Man has been the stable pony for trainer Doug O'Neill since retiring from racing in 2010, and recovered from colic surgery in 2018. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, his first year of eligibility. In his final on-track appearance, he will lead Hot Rod Charlie in the post parade and to the starting gate for the Classic. He will then ship to nearby Old Friends to enjoy his retirement. O'Neill said in the retirement announcement, "At Team O'Neill we are extremely grateful for the 18 years we had to race and work alongside Lava Man. He can never be replaced, and we will never look to replace him. Farewell, Lava Man. We Love You."