In a country where sports coverage is remorselessly driven by statistics, very few are aware that Frankie Dettori's Breeders' Cup record is bettered by only two jockeys riding today. A notable book of rides over the two-day meeting, which starts today, gives Dettori every chance of embellishing his six winners to date.

Dettori's mood, already upbeat, is enhanced by a trip down memory lane. As the sun soared over the ridges of the San Gabriel mountains that flank the racecourse, he reflected on a significant period in his evolution from young tyro to jockey of world renown. “The Breeders' Cup is great,”he said. “Even more so for me this year, because I started here 21 years ago. It's pretty special to come back and see some old mates.” Back then, Dettori was a wide-eyed punk of 16 who craved a future in the saddle. He had just moved to Luca Cumani's Newmarket stable from his native Italy, and Cumani, doubtless anxious for some winter respite from Dettori's incessant chatter, packed him off to California to further his experience.

So it was that Dettori dwelt on the fringes of Santa Anita's racing community. Pointing with his whip over to the bottom of the mountains, he reminisced: “That's where I used to live, in a small place in Sierra Madre. I didn't have a licence, so I had to smuggle my way into the track each morning.” Dettori has no need to smuggle himself anywhere these days. Quite the opposite: yesterday he proudly wore the blue “Italia” jacket he dons at every Breeders' Cup as he aligned with John Gosden, another former California native, to put Raven's Pass through his paces ahead of tomorrow's Classic. Both men crave nothing more that to make off with America's most valuable race.

It will not be easy. Up against Raven's Pass are the Ballydoyle pair of Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade, yet the biggest obstacle is Curlin. Having harboured doubts, Curlin's trainer, Steve Asmussen, has become increasingly confident his colt will handle the Pro-Ride synthetic surface that has brought together some of the world's finest horses.

Dettori, for his part, is positive within the context of a race as fierce as temperatures that reached 95 degrees on each of the last two days. “Raven's Pass did just over one circuit,” he said, “and I was very pleased. He had every reason to boil over this morning, but he was very good. It's all systems go.” Raven's Pass barely turned a hair on his sleek, summer coat as he paced the paddock and saddling areas. A naturally aggressive runner, the three-year-old has settled down as the season has unfolded. He looks by some distance Europe's brightest hope in the Classic.

Understandably, Dettori was unwilling to dwell on the prospects of a mount he inherited when Jimmy Fortune “stood down” in the Italian's favour. And despite his successes, the Breeders' Cup hasn't always offered him a comfortable bed.

Scars remain from his wild, undisciplined driving of Swain in the Classic 10 years ago. And he returned to a frosty reception in Britain after last year's Breeders' Cup, where he'd opted to ride instead of partnering Godolphin's Ibn Khaldun to victory in the Racing Post Trophy.

This time Dettori and Godolphin team up with Diabolical in tomorrow's Turf Sprint and Folk Opera in today's Filly & Mare Turf. Folk Opera combines with Halfway To Heaven and Visit to fly the European flag, although Wait A While boasts strong form previous over the course and distance.

The Filly & Mare Turf is one of five “filly” races scheduled on a day framed by a vintage renewal of the Ladies' Classic, in which Godolphin's Cocoa Beach can upset Zenyatta. Dettori does not ride Cocoa Beach, who hails from Godolphin's American annex, but with seven to come over the two days, it has the makings of an occasion to remember.