When trainer Jose D’Angelo is asked why he left his native Venezuela to come to the United States, he might well have spoken for countless immigrants when he responded, “If you have dreams, you must follow your dreams.”

D’Angelo, 30, was off to an auspicious start after he began his own training operation in his homeland eight years ago. He became the youngest conditioner to win the prestigious Clasico Simon Bolivar when aptly-named Dreaming of Gold delivered the gold in 2014.

The path to the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course on Nov. 6-7 is a road with plenty of ups and downs as talented racehorses vie for a spot in one of 14 championship races and $31 million in purses and awards.