Appealing Tale eyes Kelso as BC Dirt Mile prep
DEL MAR, Calif. – Appealing Tale might be on his way to New York to prep for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 30.
The 5-year-old Appealing Tale won his first stakes in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at seven furlongs last Saturday at Del Mar, earning a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile through the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program.
Earlier this week, trainer Peter Miller said Appealing Tale will be considered for the $400,000 Kelso Handicap at a mile Oct. 3 at Belmont Park. He said the Kelso is a more likely option than not having a prep race between the Pat O’Brien and the BC Dirt Mile.
“If you give them 2 1/2 months off, they’re not as sharp,” he said. “He likes the activity.”
A gelding, Appealing Tale has won 5 of 24 starts and earned $533,222 for brothers Gary and Cecil Barber.