Japan's Jasper Prince, Pingxiang to Run in BC Dirt Mile

The connections of Jasper Prince  and Pingxiang  confirmed to Breeders' Cup officials Oct. 27 that the two runners will compete in the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 6 instead of the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) that same day at Del Mar.

Both Jasper Prince, owned by Kazuo Kato, and Pingxiang, owned by Naoya Fujii, are trained by Hideyuki Mori. The Dirt Mile was the first preference for both at pre-entry.

Not coming to the U.S. from Japan is Kato's Jasper Krone. He was pre-entered in both the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), his first preference, and the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

Also declared out of the 14 Breeders' Cup races were four other runners, though alternates are expected to take their places.

Imperador Among Early Withdrawals From Breeders' Cup

At least 10 Breeders' Cup prospects worked across North America on Oct. 28, most for upcoming 2-year-old races on the first of the two Breeders' Cup days, Nov. 5, known as "Future Stars Friday." 

Trainer Todd Pletcher worked a number of Breeders' Cup hopefuls over Belmont Park's training track, including Champagne Stakes (G1) runner-up Commandperformance  and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) Double Thunder . Both colts have been pre-entered to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The unbeaten One Timer , trained by Larry Rivelli for owners Patricia's Hope and Richard Ravin, tuned up at Del Mar for a start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T), covering four furlongs in :49 4/5.

A listing of Oct. 28 workouts from pre-entered Breeders' Cup runners (including alternates) appears below.