An official for the International Racing Bureau, the Great Britain-based firm that coordinates overseas travel to the Breeders' Cup and takes care of logistics for the shippers once they're in America, told me that the main flight carrying 22 horses from England to America, final destination Chuchill Downs, is en route this evening. Earlier in the week, 23 horses were booked on this flight, and the absentee reportedly is BC Turf pre-entrant Crystal Ocean. These horses, if all goes smoothly, should clear quarantine in time to train Monday if their connections so desire.

Godolphin's overseas Breeders' Cup runners, sans Thunder Snow, who already is at Churchill, fly in on a private Godolphin plane Saturday. 

Aidan O'Brien's runners ship Monday from Ireland. O'Brien told me Thursday morning that all the horses he might run at Churchill were to work Friday or Saturday at Ballydoyle, his training yard in Ireland. A report Thursday in the Irish Times had some detail regarding the O'Brien pre-entrants, of which there are 18. It suggested only Anthony Van Dyck, and not Broome, would race in the BC Juvenile Turf. Magical, who won the British Champion Fillies and Mares, is a likely runner in the turf rather than in the Filly and Mare Turf. And I Can Fly, who just was second last weekend in the QE II at Ascot, appears to be on track to head to the Mile. Suspect the picture will come clearer on Sunday.