The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) may be the finale of the two-day, 14-race, $34 million plus Breeders’ Cup on Saturday night (post time 8:25 p.m. ET), but it promises to be worth the wait.
So what if the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) featuring champions City of Troy and Fierceness will be run nearly three hours earlier at Del Mar?
A year ago, one of racing’s most heart-warming stories played out in the Dirt Mile when a gallant Cody’s Wish held off National Treasure by a nose and earned Horse of the Year honors.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: Chad Brown’s Star, Domestic Product, Tops Morning Line
This Dirt Mile is much different, but won’t lack for drama: Six of the 14 horses ran in a Breeders’ Cup race last year at Santa Anita; Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Grey is in the field; and there’s an international flavor with Japan bred T O Saint Denis, Argentina bred Full Serrano, and Chile bred Mufasa in the 14-horse field.
Domestic Product is on the rise with victories in the Dwyer Stakes (G3) on July 6 and the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) on Aug. 24. The 3-year-old son of Practical Joke is trained by Chad Brown, and Flavien Prat will be aboard for the fourth straight time.
“He’s a horse who’s really improved the second half of the year. He shipped well,’’ said Brown of the trip to Del Mar. “He’s developed physically more than I could ever have hoped for. I’m taken aback by how much the horse has changed.”
He posted a 4-furlong work in 48.10 on Oct. 26 at Belmont Park, and has been getting used to the surface at Del Mar.
“It’s a big field, the post is crucial and that’s a lot of these races,’’ said Brown. “If he can get away and get a spot and a fast pace develops, which it should, then he should have every chance.”
Skippylongstocking, third in last year’s Dirt Mile, is the second choice at 4-1. The 5-year-old trained by Saffie Jospeh, Jr., comes into the race off a runner-up finish in the Woodward Stakes (G2) behind Classic entrant Tapit Trice. He will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., leaving from the outside 14 post, which could be a tough task for a front-runner.
Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Preview: Frontrunners and Key Contenders to Watch
The third choice at 9-2 is Bob Baffert-trained Muth. Second in the 2023 BC Juvenile, Muth is a two-time Grade 1 winner, won three in a row to start 2024, missed the Preakness with a health issue, and recently finished sixth in the 1 1/8-mile California Crown (G1). Juan Hernandez has the call from post 10 for this frontrunner.
And let’s not forget Seize the Grey at a tempting 10-1 for 89-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas. A son of Arrogate, Seize the Grey won the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Derby Day, then won the Preakness, finished seventh and fourth in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and Travers Stakes (G1), respectively, and rebounded with a victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) on Sept. 21.
Seize the Grey and Saudi Crown Return With Eyes on the Victory
The Classic also was under consideration for Seize the Grey, who will have Jaime Torres in the irons.
“There was a lot of confidence that he would do well in either race,’’ said Michael Behrens, founder of owners MyRacehorse. “He came out of the Pennsylvania Derby so good. We just kind of felt that we were in a position of strength. In the Pat Day Mile, we thought he ran an incredible race.”
Saudi Crown (5-1), 10th in last year’s Classic, is back for a try in this shorter race for trainer Brad Cox. Three Technique ran eighth in last year’s Sprint is at 30-1. Pipeline (30-1), ninth in last year’s Dirt Mile, also returns.
The pace should be a quick one with a slew of frontrunners vying for the lead. Saudi Crown, Muth, Pipeline, Skippylongstocking, and Vosburgh Stakes (G1) winner Mufasa fit that style, with Seize the Grey somewhere in the mix, and Domestic Product making his run in the stretch.
For those who bet horse racing …
Breeder’s Cyp Dirt Mile expert picks and predictions: 1 Seize the Grey 2 Domestic Product 3 Skippylongstocking