ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Breeders' Cup 2002 has had a uniquely different feel to it than previous editions. With only a dozen of the 90 plus Cup runners training regularly on the grounds until mid-week there has been less opportunity than usual this year to observe the participants in their crucial final preperations for the big day.

Obviously the weather was one of the main reasons trainers have been reluctant to ship here too far in advance of race day. And as has been the case for the past week, the temperature barely got into the forties during training hours Thursday while a light rain turned the official track condition from fast to good by the time the majority of Breeders' Cup hopefuls came out to train following the renovation break.

While it's difficult to form too many solid opinions from such limited observations of the key contenders, the following impressions are offered with the hope of clarifying some of the mystery surrounding this year's eight Breeders' Cup events.

CLASSIC:

All eyes were on WAR EMBLEM when he visited the Arlington Park track for the first time near the end of training on Thursday. He schooled briefly at the starting gate then galloped a strong albeit for him relatively relaxed1 1-4 miles. Appears to have arrived in top form both physically and mentally.

MEDAGLIA D'ORO looked great for the second straight morning and seems to be peaking for the Classic. EVENING ATTIRE has been a pleasure to watch train here all week and couldn't be better. HARLAN'S HOLIDAY jogged and galloped 1 1-8 miles on Thursday and is coming into the Classic a lot sharper looking than when we last saw him Derby week.

DISTAFF:

Odds on favorite AZERI had a second straight good morning since arriving from southern California. FARDA AMIGA has made an even more favorable impression in her two local gallops and should be coming up to another big race. TWO ITEM LIMIT appears a bit outclassed on paper but has trained extremely well and very eagerly over this racetrack. Neither TAKE CHARGE LADY, IMPERIAL GESTURE or SUMMER COLONY had trained over the track as of Thursday.

JUVENILE FILLIES:

Have seen very little of this group. SANTA CATARINA, ATLANTIC OCEAN and BUFFYTHECENTERFOLD all galloped for the first time here Thursday. Never got to see likely favorite STORM FLAG FLYING although her last work in New York looked very solid.

MILE:

MEDICIS was full of run blowing out on the main track Thursday, going three furlongs in :34.60 seconds. Has been the most eager of the European to train over the past several days and may wind up having an unexpected impact on the early pace in the Mile.

ALDEBARAN turned in one of the strongest and most impressive gallops over the main track Thursday while TOUCH OF THE BLUES was similarly sharp on the lawn. Both may turn out to be legitimate sleepers. GOOD JOURNEY and NUCLEAR DEBATE both worked nicely over the course earlier in the week.

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR was still in quarantine on Thursday.

SPRINT:

BONAPAW has been visually impressive day in and day out and turned in easily the most impressive of the pre-Breeders' Cup works over this track. KONA GOLD, usually a crabby going sort, galloped a lot smoother than usual when getting his first feel for the track on Thursday which bodes well for his chances of winning his second Sprint. XTRA HEAT has done well since arriving here more than two weeks ago although she did appear a bit choppy when first breaking off to gallop Thursday. Hard to get a line on ORIENTATE who jogged the wrong way accompanied by trainer D. Wayne Lukas in the cover of darkness Thursday. DISTURBINGTHEPEACE did not finish as well as expected when working over the track on Tuesday while SWEPT OVERBOARD did not appear comfortable during his gallop Thursday.

FILLY AND MARE TURF:

ISLINGTON did a little impromptu interval training over the turf course Thursday and appeared to go much better over the ground than the previous morning. DUBLINO cruised over the course very impressively Wednesday and Thursday and may be ready for a big performance. Both ZENDA and GOSSAMER blew out over the "good" turf course on Thursday. Zenda was a handful to pull up after zipping a quarter mile in a swift :24.60 down the lane. Gossamer went a more relaxed three-eighths in :39.80 although appeared to handle the track much more efficiently than the previous morning when she changed leads numerous times down the stretch. Defending champ BANKS HILL has looked well galloping over the main track.

JUVENILE:

TOCCET was very aggressive blowing out down the stretch in :26.40, especially after picking up a worker approaching the wire. Has been on his toes since his arrival earlier this week although must overcome post 14 on Saturday. Both WHYWHYWHY and SKY MESA are both doing extremely well despite turning in relatively slow works over the track. Loved the way Whywhywhy finished up and galloped out. Encouraged by the way Sky Mesa has returned to the track after breezing perhaps a bit too slow on Monday.

TURF:

For the second straight morning GOLAN was having problems handling the turf course on Thursday.. Had to be pulled up after going only a half mile in his first attempt to gallop and did not travel much better when trying it again several minutes later. Would be surprised if she turns in her best effort on Saturday. BALLINGARRY on the other hand was as smooth as silk over the course and if anything is likely to move forward off his performance in the Canadian International.