As we start the Breeders’ Cup weekend, what better way than to celebrate 40 years of winners. Thoroughbred Daily News’ Sarah K. Andrews and Jill Williams embarked on a journey to pay tribute to 40 Breeders’ Cup champions. Through photos and storytelling, the project soon became a celebration of how these superstars have impacted the lives of the people who care for them. I’ve been following them on Facebook, but here’s a video compilation.

Sadly, several of the runners anticipated for this year’s Classic have fallen by the wayside. Geaux Rocket Ride suffered a condylar fracture in his right front leg during a workout at Santa Anita in preparation for the Classic. The colt had a bad response to the surgery and was unable to stand. After flying Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital from Kentucky to California to make an evaluation, his connections decided to euthanize the colt.

The favorite, Arcangelo, winner of the Belmont Stakes, was scratched after developing heat in his hind left hoof. Trainer Jena Antonucci said that they removed the shoe earlier in the week but that they ran out of time in prepping for the race while the colt recovered.

“And so to properly assess horses and do this the right way, to make sure our horse is safe, I’m just running out of time. So I’ve run out of time to make sure we assess this horse responsibly. And the horse is well … and we’re going to continue to do what’s right for him as we always will.”

Owner Jon Ebbert told the Daily Racing Form he will be retired to stand at Lane’s End Farm.

Arabian Night, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavian Prat, is the current favorite. Post time for the Breeders’ Cup Classic is 6:40 p.m. EDT on Saturday.