For the second year in a row, none of the Triple Crown race winners will compete in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), the marquee event of the year that usually decides Horse of the Year.
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan recently returned to Keeneland to resume training, with trainer Ken McPeek saying on Oct. 2: “He’ll be at Keeneland for the month to get him going. He has been galloping at (McPeek’s) Magdalena (Farm) and doing fine. It was time to bring him to Keeneland.”
The Classic is Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Seize the Grey, winner of the Preakness (G1) — the second leg of the Triple Crown – is set to run in the BC Dirt Mile (G1), trainer D. Wayne Lukas told drf.com on Tuesday (Oct. 15).
And Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch was retired last month due to bone bruising.
D. Wayne Lukas and Seize the Grey. MJC Photo
A year ago, Derby winner Mage was pulled out of the Classic after developing a fever a week before the race.
Preakness winner National Treasure ran in the BC Dirt Mile rather than the Classic and finished second to Cody’s Wish.
Belmont and Travers (G1) winner Arcangelo came down with a left hind foot issue and was retired days before the Classic.
Seize the Grey, who also won the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), could face National Treasure in the Dirt Mile.
“I just think he might be more tactically suited there (in the Dirt Mile), we’re a good fit there,” Lukas told drf.com. “They (owners My Racehorse) were leaning toward the Mile, and I couldn’t argue with that.”
Breeders’ Cup starters by state
It’s no surprise that Kentucky has sent out the most starters in Breeders’ Cup history. Not even close: 2,748 starters over 40 years (that’s nearly 68 starters per Breeders’ Cup) compared to Florida at No. 2 with 390 starters. Kentucky has 249 winners; Florida has 30. A total of 22 states have been represented in the Breeders’ Cup, with only Kentucky and Florida producing double-digits in winners. Maryland is 7-for-45, Pennsylvania is 6-for-49, California os 6-for-135; New York is 3-for-93, and Virginia is 0-for-54.