Domestic Spending Takes a Shot at History in BC Mile

Evoking memories of the fantastical feats of two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) winner Da Hoss, trainer Chad Brown has entered Klaravich Stable’s Domestic Spending  into this year’s FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1T) off what will be a 448-day layoff come Nov. 5.

“Though unlike (Da Hoss) we’re not going to have a single prep in between, so he’s got an even taller order,” Brown said the morning of Oct. 28. “He’s a special horse and we’re just taking our shot at history.”

Undeterred by the fact Da Hoss had made only one start in two years, trainer Michael Dickinson ran the 6-year-old gelding in the Mile and defied the odds with a stirring head victory in the 1998 rendition at Churchill Downs.   

A multiple grade 1 winner, Domestic Spending was scratched the Thursday before his engagement in last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) with a soft issue injury.

Returning to Brown’s stable in August, the 5-year-old son of Kingman  impressed his trainer with his renewed vigor in the mornings. Since his first timed work at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 29, he has continued to train on a regular work pattern. He breezed five furlongs on the Keeneland turf course last Saturday in 1:01 2/5.

“This last month especially the horse has come to hand really well and I started thinking Breeders’ Cup,” Brown said. “About three weeks ago I watched him work and he just looked super. I started looking for a race for him and I couldn’t find one that made any sense."

Domestic Spending’s last reported start was a second place finish in the Aug. 14, 2021 Mr. D Stakes (G1T) at the late Arlington International Race Course. Routing 1 1/4-miles, he failed to catch the frontrunning Two Emmys  by a neck. The gelding had captured the 1 1/8-mile Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1T) on Kentucky Derby (G1) day earlier that season.

“As long as he breezes good tomorrow and he exits this work well I’m going to give it a shot,” Brown said. “I know it’s not ideal to go in 15 months with no prep but I wouldn’t do it If I didn’t think he was up to the challenge and I wouldn't put him in harm’s way. It’s a lot to ask but he seems to be training super. He’s good and sound and happy and looking to run."

The Mile will be Domestic Spending’s first trip at eight furlongs since taking his second career start in an allowance level contest at Belmont Park as a 3-year-old.

“He’s fresh and sharp right now. He can run a mile, he’s won at a mile earlier in his career,” Brown said. “Is he best going a tick further? Yeah but he can do it. If he draws a good post and we work out a good trip at the mile I think he’ll at least come with a big run.”

Domestic Spending and his stablemate, fellow Mile entrant Regal Glory , are scheduled to breeze on the Keeneland turf tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.