Deep List of Contenders For Excelsior Breeders' Cup

In what will be the biggest handicap race in New York so far this year, eight runners will race once around Aqueduct's 1 1/8 mile track in Saturday's grade III $200,000 Excelsior Breeders' Cup.

The Excelsior field is strong despite the loss of Pleasant Breeze and Milwaukee Brew. Both will run in the Pimlico Special on May 12th (gr. I) after it was announced reigning Horse of the Year Tiznow would miss that race because of a back injury.

Windrush, Turnofthecentury and Boston Party, the top three finishers from last month's Stymie Handicap (gr. III) will square off against stakes winners Cat's At Home, American Halo, and Nite Dreamer. Top Official won the John Campbell at Laurel in February, but was taken down. The only member of the Excelsior field not stakes placed is Ground Storm, and even he figures to have a big shot after wining his last four allowance tries.

The Field for the Excelsior includes: Cat's At Home (Filiberto Leon), Top Offivial (Diane Nelson); Turnofthecentury (Aaron Gryder); Nite Dreamer (Larry Melancon); Windrush (Joe Bravo); Boston Party (Norberto Arroyo Jr.); Ground Storm (Edgar Prado); and American Halo (Robbie Davis).