By George Rorrer
Enquirer contributor

Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia expects Bob Baffert-trained Congaree and Perfect Drift to hook up in a sizzling duel today in the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. But, he adds, that won't be the only big race on the 10th annual Kentucky Cup Day of Champions.

Should Congaree win, he's expected to go on to the season-ending Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 25 at Santa Anita as one of the favorites. Perfect Drift is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup.

Other entries on today's card have goals similar to Congaree's.

A year ago, Vindication won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile and six weeks later won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and earned the Eclipse Award as racing's 2-year-old champion. In 2001, Repent won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile and was second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In 2000, Spain won the Turfway Park Breeders' Cup and then took the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Battaglia pointed to Baffert-trained Class Above as a filly capable of going on to bigger things.

Battaglia made Class Above a 9-5 favorite in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, with Sweet Jo Jo, winner of the Debutante, next at 2-1.

In the Juvenile, Battaglia made Pomeroy a 9-5 pick, with Ruler's Court next at 3-1.

Champali was made a 5-2 favorite under Pat Day in the Sprint. Oflee Wild, next at 4-1, will be making his first start since he ran 12th in the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

Battaglia made Awesome Humor a 2-1 favorite in the Turfway Breeders' Cup for fillies and mares.

The Classic is the 11th of 14 races - 10 live and four simulcast from sister track Kentucky Downs at Franklin, Ky.Post time for the Classic is 5:37 p.m.

At a glance

• What: Five-race Kentucky Cup Day of Champions will comprise major portion of the card.

• Where: Turfway Park, Florence, Ky.

• When: 1:10 p.m. first post.

• Admission: Free.