Art Collector likely bound for Cigar Mile
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Art Collector, most recently fifth in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs, will most likely make his next start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile on Dec. 3 at Aqueduct, trainer Bill Mott said over the weekend.
Art Collector had been under consideration for either the Grade 2, $350,000 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland or the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Stakes at Aqueduct – both this Saturday. Mott said he and owner Bruce Lunsford like the additional time to the Cigar Mile for Art Collector, the 2021 Woodward winner and two-time Charles Town Classic winner.
“He’d look pretty good in the Kelso, but maybe Baby Yoda would look pretty good in the Kelso too,” Mott said.
Baby Yoda, a 10 3/4-length winner of a one-mile allowance race on Oct. 7 for Mott, is expected to run in the Kelso, though Mott acknowledges it’s back relatively quick.
Others expected for the Kelso, which this year has been moved back a month on the calendar to act more as a Cigar Mile prep, include Empty Tomb, Highly Motivated, Morello, Shackqueenking, and Title Ready. Fulsome and Jalen Journey are possible.
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