LEXINGTON, Ky. – How's 'Al' today? We'll have our answer to that–for both the horse and owner–after the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, the finale on day one of the Championships at Keeneland on 'Future Stars Friday.'How's Al Today (Munnings), the 3-1 morning-line favorite and leading American hope in the Juvenile Turf, posted a pair of sensational wins by a combined 8 1/2 lengths for trainer Riley Mott at the Kentucky Downs meeting. He came storming home to capture the Pepsi Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S. Sept. 9, good for an imposing 94 Beyer Speed Figure, and previously scored in an allowance Aug. 29, his first career try on grass. The $200,000 Keeneland September graduate is campaigned by Al Gold's Gold Square.Europeans have dominated this race since its inception in 2007 and have won the last five renewals. Aidan O'Brien has four entered–'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Great Barrier Reef (Ire) (No Nay Never), drawn widest of all in post 14, may be withdrawn due to a stone bruise–for a potential fifth straight victory and ninth overall. His son Joseph O'Brien will saddle 7-2 morning-line second-choice and 'Rising Star' Folsom Blues (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), winner of the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S.“We don't know what we're running against with the Euros,” Gold said. “I know the fillies are considered better than their colts, but I don't how we compare against them. I'm obviously very impressed with his two grass races. His turn of foot was awesome–very impressed with it.”So, what's the story behind the name?“This one is simple,” Gold said. “I have a friend of mine I call every other day and every other day, he texts me, 'How's Al today'?”What's Gold gonna text his buddy on raceday?“I'm gonna tell him that we hope Al is ready to run and Al the owner will be there,” Gold said.Gold was also there the last time the Championships were held at Keeneland in 2022. He suffered a tough beat with Cyberknife (Gun Runner), who finished a too-good-to-lose second to future Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The 70-year-old Gold named Cyberknife after the robotic radiation therapy used to successfully treat his prostate cancer five years ago.“I'm looking forward to spending a few days and enjoying the races with my wife,” said Gold, who made his living in real estate management. “Hopefully, we get a better result this time.”Gold will also have a rooting interest with Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic. After carrying Gold's black-and-gold silks to a dramatic win in this year's GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, the overachieving $40,000 Keeneland September yearling was sold privately to Espoir USA, Inc.Kept with trainer Chad Summers, the gray heads to the $7-million centerpiece–which also features the race's defending winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and dual Classic winners Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and 'Rising Star' Golden Tempo (Curlin)–following second-place finishes in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. at Monmouth Park and GI DraftKings Travers S. at Saratoga.“It was an unbelievable thrill,” Gold said of winning the second jewel of the Triple Crown.“My biggest win in racing. The Haskell (with Cyberknife) up to that was my biggest win because I lived in Jersey all my life, but this one absolutely topped it. There's only one bigger race to me and hopefully I'll win that one day.”He continued, “I got an exceptional offer, so I took it. Immediately after he went, there was a great deal of seller's remorse. Chad (Summers) is my trainer (and racing manager), I hope the best for him. I'm rooting for his horse as much as I can. I hope he gets it done.”Keeneland will host the World Championships for a fourth time after unforgettable editions in 2015, 2020, and 2022. The Breeders' Cup festival is worth more than $34 million in purses and awards.Sunny skies and ideal temperatures are in the forecast to welcome back returning Breeders' Cup winners: 'Rising Star' Cy Fair (Not This Time), Ethical Diamond (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Forever Young, Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), Immersive (Nyquist), 'Rising Star' Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), 'Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole), Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Super Corredora (Gun Runner).NBC Sports and Peacock will present 10 1/2 hours of live coverage featuring all 14 Championship races across NBC and USA Network over the two days.For wall-to-wall coverage of all 14 Championship races, click here for Friday's TDN Preview Edition and click here for Saturday's TDN Preview Edition.The post ‘Today’ is the Day! Breeders’ Cup Returns to Keeneland for Two Days of World-Class Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.