Baffert picks Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for Dortmund

Dortmund will run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday. Among his possible opponents in the Dirt Mile are Runhappy, last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, and Frosted, who also is being considered for the Classic.

Dortmund will be cutting back to a mile following a runner-up finish to California Chrome in the Grade 1 Awesome Again at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 1 at Santa Anita. Dortmund pressed California Chrome through quick fractions and ran on through the stretch to equal his best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 110.

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Baffert said he prefers a mile for Dortmund, rather than moving him to a 1 1/4 miles for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Dortmund has raced twice at a mile and won both times, including the $75,000 Big Bear last October at Santa Anita. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 105.

Dortmund is a 4-year-old by Big Brown and he races for Kaleem Shah. He has won eight of 13 starts and $1.9 million, with $1 million of that amount earned on the main track at Santa Anita.