Mile Draws 19 First-Preference Entries

With two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan sidelined after dominating back-to-back editions of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT), a slew of contenders pre-entered the marquee turf event to be run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

Anodin, a full brother to the three-time Mile-winning mare Goldikova, is included in a European scrum led by elite miler Toronado, who won the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) this spring. Freddy Head will bring Anodin over for breeders Werthimer et Frere while Richard Hannon conditions Toronado for Al Shaqab Racing.

Two-time group I winner Karakontie, group I winner Kingsbarns, and multiple group III victors Kiyoshi and Mustajeeb were among the foreign horses pre-entered, along with Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) winner Trade Storm and group I-placed Veda.

Local contenders who ran well against Wise Dan but never managed to best him are Obviously, Seek Again, Kaigun, Grand Arch, and Sayaad.

Obviously, winner of the Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) in June, was fifth in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Mile and third in the 2012 edition. Seek Again missed beating the six-time Eclipse Award-winner by a head in the May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), but must rebound from a sixth in the Oct. 4 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland. Grand Arch was second by a length to Wise Dan in the Shadwell, while Kaigun came within three-quarters of a length to him earlier in the season in the Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT). Sayaad was third in the Shadwell last time out. 

Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) winner Tom's Tribute, 3-year-old Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) runner-up Tourist, and grade II winners Summer Front, Big Bane Theory, and Mr. Commons complete the lineup of those intending to start in the Mile. One other runner of interest, Godolphin's grade I-winning mare Better Lucky, is the only female whose connections listed the Mile as first preference.



The connections of 19 horses chose the Mile as their first preference. Listing the Mile as second preference were Turf Sprint (gr. IT) hopefuls Silentio, Rock Me Baby, and Bobby's Kitten, while the connections of Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) contenders Dayatthespa and Fiesolana also selected the race as their second choice along with Handsome Mike, who is pointing for the Dirt Mile (gr. IT). Last year, Silentio ran third in the Mile behind Wise Dan and Za Approval.