Art Collector Aimed Toward Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Art Collector, winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland this summer, is likely to return to the Lexington oval for the Nov. 7 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), trainer Tommy Drury Jr. said.

The Bernardini  colt, owned and bred by Bruce Lunsford, won his first four races of this year, one of which was the Blue Grass, before experiencing his first defeat as a 3-year-old when fourth in the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Stalking the pace between horses, he failed to keep pace with victorious Swiss Skydiver and runner-up Authentic and wound up losing by 10 lengths, a head behind longshot Jesus' Team for the show.

He missed a start in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs due to a minor foot injury just before entries were made, mere days before the race. Authentic won the Derby, defeating favored Tiz the Law.

Drury said the Dirt Mile was viewed as the most attractive Breeders' Cup option, owing to the $6 million Longines Classic (G1) likely to draw a loaded field. Authentic, Improbable , Maximum Security, Tom's d'Etat , Tiz the Law, and By My Standards are some of the leading prospects for that 1 1/4-mile race.

The Dirt Mile, contested for $1 million, is expected to draw a large field, including Complexity , Mr Freeze, Pirate's Punch, Rushie, and War of Will .

"You're trying to use good judgment, put your horse in the best spot," Drury said. "I don't know that it's rocket science, but I felt like the (Dirt) Mile is not quite as deep as the Classic is this year. We know he likes the track over there at Keeneland. He's tactical enough that I think he can be somewhat forward in a spot like that. To me, it just seemed like the logical spot for him."

Drury suggested it would be unlikely that Art Collector would be also pre-entered next week into the Classic even though horses can be placed into two Breeders' Cup races before final entries. He mentioned the $500,000 Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27 as an alternative to the Dirt Mile if "for whatever reason that race doesn't work out, or if he drew the 12 hole, something along those lines."

The Dirt Mile is a two-turn race when it is run at Keeneland, which can put outside drawn horses at risk of a wide trip.

Brian Hernandez Jr., Art Collector's regular rider, will be aboard in the Dirt Mile, Drury said. Hernandez is 1-2-1 with 14 Breeders' Cup mounts, capturing the 2012 Classic on Janis Whitham's Fort Larned  for trainer Ian Wilkes.

Art Collector could become the first Breeders' Cup starter for Drury, whose stable is relatively modest, top to bottom. The colt is scheduled to breeze at Churchill Downs, either Thursday or Friday, according to his trainer. He last worked a half-mile in :49 1/5 Oct. 15 at Skylight Training Center, his principal training base in Goshen, Ky.

"It's been a year for a lot of firsts for us. We got to experience a little bit of (Derby week), got to experience the Preakness, and now we're going to get to experience the Breeders' Cup," Drury said. "That's why you get up every day. That's why you work hard to put yourself in this kind of situation.

"I think the big thing for me is that I certainly want to go over there and make the most of the opportunity and show people I can manage a horse at this level, but then I'm also trying to remind myself that I may never get this opportunity again and you need to have fun with it and enjoy it."