Miss Temple City Eyeing Breeders' Cup Mile

After defeating males to win the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland Oct. 8, Miss Temple City is expected to face males again in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 5 at Santa Anita Park.

"I think we have to," trainer Graham Motion said Oct. 9. "As long as she's doing well, I would imagine we will be there."

For winning the Shadwell Turf Mile, a "Win and You're In" race, Miss Temple City is guaranteed a fees-paid spot in the starting gate for the Breeders' Cup Mile. Ring Weekend, seventh for Motion in Saturday's race, could join Miss Temple City in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

"He didn't have a great trip in the Shadwell," Motion said. "He went a little wide and it was a slow pace. I wouldn't rule out the Breeders' Cup for him."

Motion, who describes Miss Temple City as the best filly he has ever trained, said she showed signs of superiority long before she won her career debut late in her 2-year-old season.  

"We always thought she was pretty special," he said. "Some of them surprise you, but she always acted like she was going to be very good. She always did things very easily. She's all business. Like this morning, she is not interested in talking to anyone. She is not an attention seeker, but she is very kind. There is no malice with her."

Miss Temple City, purchased as a newly turned yearling at Keeneland's 2013 January horses of all ages sale, has won five races in 14 starts and earned $1,213,038.

She is the first female to win Keeneland's two premier mile races. In April, she won the Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT). With Saturday's victory, she joins Wise Dan as the only horses to win the two grade I races in the same year. Wise Dan accomplished the feat in 2014.  

NOVAK: Miss Temple City Scores in Shadwell Turf Mile

Ironicus exited his runner-up finish in the Shadwell Turf Mile as the 3-1 favorite in good order, according to Reeve McGaughey, assistant to his father, trainer Shug McGaughey.

"He will go back to New York Monday," Reeve McGaughey said of Ironicus, who has finished first or second in his last 10 races. "I assume he will go on to the Breeders' Cup (Mile). That's the plan."

Riley Mott, assistant to his father, Bill Mott, said Tourist was fine the morning after his third-place finish and that immediate plans were being determined.

Mondialiste, who finished a fast-closing fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile and was beaten less than two lengths, is scheduled to leave Oct. 11 to return to Europe.

"He goes to Nashville, where he gets a direct flight to Stansted (in London)," said Fearghal Davis, the exercise rider for Mondialiste. "The plan is to come back for the Breeders' Cup (at Santa Anita)."

Mondialiste finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland.