Bal a Bali retired, will not run in BC Mile

Bal a Bali, who was among the pre-entrants for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, has been retired, trainer Richard Mandella said Friday.

Bal a Bali was one of 14 pre-entrants who had secured a starting spot in the Mile, and his defection opens the door for the England-based Home of the Brave to run. Home of the Brave was excluded from the Mile last year and instead finished 11th in the BC Turf Sprint.

Also coming out of the Mile on Friday was Big Score, who instead runs in the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita, according to trainer Tim Yakteen. With Big Score out, the excluded pre-entrant Karar gains a Mile starting slot.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2017: Pre-entries, odds, comments, and more

Bal a Bali, a 7-year-old Brazilian bred, is headed off to stud at owner Brad Kelly’s Calumet Farm in Kentucky. Bal a Bali has raced only once since June 3, finishing sixth Aug. 20 in the Del Mar Mile.

“I can’t get him back to the level of his best,” Mandella said. “I’ve been trying for awhile. It’s time we called it off.”

Bal a Bali, by Put It Back out of In My Side, by Clackson, was an absolute terror in his native Brazil, winning 11 of his 12 starts there in 2013 and 2014. Imported to the U.S., Bal a Bali developed laminitis, a potentially fatal hoof disease, but recovered and went on to have an excellent North American career. He won two Grade 1 turf miles this year, the Kilroe and the Shoemaker, and was retired with a record of 15-1-4 from 26 starts.

“He’s an extremely talented horse who overcame so much,” Mandella said.

The Mile drew 21 pre-entrants, but it’s possible every horse with the race listed as first preference will get to start.

Senga has first preference in the Filly and Mare Turf, Churchill in the Classic, and both horses figure to start in those races. Decorated Knight has first preference in the Turf, and as of Friday it appeared his connections were leaning toward that race. If all three horses defect from the Mile, excluded pre-entrants Om, Mr. Roary, and Frank Conversation will find a spot in the starting gate.

Midnight Storm and Hunt, two other excluded horses, have first entry preference in the Dirt Mile and Turf, respectively, and both have spots in the main body of those races.

Roly Poly was entered with first preference in the Filly and Mare Turf, but trainer Aidan O’Brien suggested this week she might be a more likely runner in the Mile.

– additional reporting by Steve Andersen

:: Breeders' Cup PP packages: Get PPs, betting strategies, DRF+ Pro access, and more