Defending Champ and California Invader to Contest Connally

A field of 12 was nominated, including two past winners and a California invader, for Saturday's $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf at Sam Houston Park.

Candid Glen, who will break under E.J. Perrodin, is back to defend his 2001 title, and Chorwon, who won back-to-back editions in 1998 and 1999, will be making his first start of the year since a sixth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) last October. Gerard Melancon will ride Chorwon from the sixth post.

Also included in the mix is California invader El Gran Papa from the powerful barn of Bobby Frankel. The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred turf specialist has made 19 of his 20 lifetime starts on turf, winning five races including the Dallas Turf Sprint at Lone Star Park on June 17. Owned by Houston businessman Tom Tatham, El Gran Papa, who was made the 9-5 morning line favorite, will break from post 11 and will be ridden by California-based rider Garret Gomez has the mount.

Other notable starters include: Mystery Giver (Eddie Martin, Jr.) and Vergennes (Casey Lambert).