ARCADIA, Calif.—Curlin’s looming presence in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic hardly scared away the competition.

Undefeated Casino Drive from Japan, along with European stars Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator and Raven’s Pass, are among the 11 rivals who will line up to try to knock off the reigning horse of the year.

“Someone has got to come and take him on. We can’t all be wimps and hide,” said John Gosden, who trains Raven’s Pass, the 6-1 second choice.

Staging the Breeders’ Cup on a synthetic surface for the first time at Santa Anita helpe...

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