Mongolian Groom Bound for Breeders' Cup Classic

Mongolian Groom, who upset McKinzie and Higher Power in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park, is bound for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as his connections will pay a late nomination fee of $200,000 to start in the Nov. 2 showdown at Santa Anita Park, trainer Enebish Ganbat said Oct. 8.

The decision to nominate to the Classic, first reported by Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman, represents a change of heart from Ganbat, who said after the Awesome Again he was inclined to run the horse late this year in Asia rather than the Breeders' Cup due to the high costs associated with participation. The 4-year-old Hightail gelding was not originally Breeders' Cup nominated, nor was his sire, when owner Mongolian Stable purchased him for $12,000 from the 2017 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Once nominated to the Breeders' Cup, Mongolian Groom will be assured of a starting position in the Classic, having earned a guaranteed berth after taking the Awesome Again, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier. Aside from the cost of nomination, his entry fees will also be paid as part of the program.

Ganbat said he had a conversation with Mongolian Stable owner Ganbaatar Dagvadorj and discussed what he thought were important considerations to make the Breeders' Cup nomination.

"I say we have two advantages. First, we stay home. Second, this horse likes this track," he said.

Ganbat and Mongolian Stable are past Breeders' Cup winners, having teamed to win the 2015 Turf Sprint (G1T) with Mongolian Saturday.

The California-based Mongolian Groom recorded his first stakes victory in the Awesome Again following a second in the San Diego Handicap (G2), a third in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), and a fifth in the Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) this summer. He is two for seven over the Santa Anita main track.

Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, he is the only foal to race out of the Dynaformer mare Bourbonesque. He originally sold as a yearling in 2016 for $11,000 at The October Sale at Fasig-Tipton, where Calcutta Thoroughbreds purchased him from the Paramount Sales consignment. He was then consigned the following year by Coastal Equine at OBS.

Jockey Abel Cedillo, who notched his first grade 1 victory in riding Mongolian Groom in the Awesome Again, will ride in the Classic, Ganbat said. Through racing Oct. 7, Cedillo was tied with Drayden Van Dyke atop the Santa Anita rider standings.

Mongolian Groom is part of a closed-matched group of horses targeted for the 1 1/4-mile Classic. Code of Honor, McKinzie, Higher Power, and Seeking the Soul are other North American-based "Win and You're In" qualifiers expected to participate.