Strengths: Last year's Irish Derby winner has been even stronger at age 4. He's kept nothing but Group 1 company and fired a stellar effort in each outing of 2007, including back-to-back Irish Champion victories. His company lines the past two seasons include impeccable challengers such as Ouija Board, Manduro and Authorized. Colt relishes firm and quick going overseas, which translates perfectly to what American courses most often offer in comparison.

Weaknesses: Throttled by 32 lengths in his only US foray to date, a disastrous trip to Belmont last year in Bernardini's Jockey Club Gold Cup romp which was on dirt.

In The Genes: Sire, Danehill, was a champion sprinter in Europe, but has excelled at stud with quality runners of all distances, including BC Filly & Mare Turf winners Intercontinental and Banks Hill – as well as Mile runner-up Rock of Gibraltar and Turf runner-up Ace. Dam, Lagrion, also produced unbeaten sprint filly Queen's Logic (5-for-5).

Bet Status: Voted the 2007 Cartier European Horse of the Year, Dylan Thomas will begin a stud career at Coolmore in Ireland in 2008, after a final start in the Hong Kong Vase, in which he finished seventh. He was scheduled to start in the Japan Cup, but was not released from quarantine by JRA officials due to lingering traces of equine viral ateritis induced by a vaccine he received at Monmouth Park. His initial booking fee will be 50,000 euros, about $75,000. In 2008, he shuttles to Coolmore Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

Bet You Didn't Know: Past Irish Champion Stakes winners to also notch the Breeders' Cup Turf include Pilsudski, Daylami, Fantastic Light and High Chaparral.