ARCADIA, Calif. - Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has high praise for Rip Van Winkle, who is regarded as the strongest threat to the undefeated Zenyatta in tomorrow’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

“There’s no doubt that this is a very special horse and we haven’t come here with a horse of this caliber before,” said O’Brien, using strong words for a trainer who saddled Giant’s Causeway for a excruciatingly close second-place finish behind Tiznow in the 2000 Classic at Churchill Downs. “But he’s had a lot of issues and he’s swum against the tide all season.”

Rip Van Winkle’s chronic foot issues have been well documented. After being stricken with a severe foot infection last winter, the 3-year-old son of Galileo has suffered quarter cracks in his two front and left hind feet. Recently, he experienced problems with his hind right foot, which has responded to treatment.

Although his foot problems might temper bettors’ enthusiasm somewhat for Rip Van Winkle, he has earned the respect of his trainer.

“I’m amazed really that Rip has been through the season he has and the races he has run in. He’s run in all top races all the time,” O’Brien said. “Usually when a horse suffers those things, the season does catch up with them.”

After coming up a little short in his first three starts this season, Rip Van Winkle has won two straight Group 1 stakes.

Odds and more

Lillie Langtry was the biggest mover in betting in England yesterday, according to William Hill bookmakers, dropping from 3-1 to 11-4 for the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The Irish-bred filly gave his trainer a scare during a morning canter when she became frightened and unseated her exercise rider, who managed to hold onto the reins. O’Brien, atop his pony nearby, subsequently got on Lillie Langtry to complete the morning canter.

“She was in a confused state and we had to get her out of it and into her own comfort zone quick,” said O’Brien, whose 2-year-old filly is the 3-1 morning-line favorite at Santa Anita.

Other European runners on today’s card who have been bet down to strong favoritism, include Mastery, 7-4 for the Marathon; and Midday, 11-4 for the Filly & Mare Turf.

On tomorrow’s card, European invaders Mastercraftsman, 6-4 for the Dirt Mile; Pounced, 7-2 for the Juvenile Turf; Goldikova, 11-8 for the Mile; Conduit, 5-4 for the Turf; and Rip Van Winkle, 7-4 for the Classic; are favored in their respective races.

Going for three

Bill Mott saddled back-to-back winners of the Ladies’ Classic when the $2 million race for fillies and mares was known as the Distaff in 1997-98. The Hall of Fame trainer compares his current hopeful in today’s Ladies’ Classic, Mushka, with both Ajina and Escena.