Big Bane Theory to get a shot at Breeders' Cup Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Big Bane Theory, the winner of the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 4, will be pointed for the Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf Nov. 1 and could be cross-entered in the $1 million Dirt Mile on Oct. 31.

Trainer Carla Gaines said Thursday that plans for a Breeders’ Cup start were finalized Wednesday after discussing options with owners and breeders Mark Devereux and Scott Gross.

Gaines said the absence of reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan from the BC Mile was a factor in the decision. Wise Dan has been sidelined with an ankle injury. He won the last two runnings of the BC Mile.

The City of Hope Mile was the top local prep for the BC Mile.

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“It’s here, and this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Gaines said. “The horse is doing well.”

Gaines said that Devereux and Gross were willing to gamble that Big Bane Theory can score a surprise win in a race led by the English import Toronado.

“They bred him, and they own the mare,” she said. “They’re game. They want to have some fun.”

Gaines said a backup plan is the BC Dirt Mile in case the BC Mile is oversubscribed. She said Big Bane Theory trains well on dirt, making the race a consideration.

A 5-year-old horse by Artie Schiller, Big Bane Theory has won 4 of 11 starts and earned $330,640. The City of Hope Mile is his only stakes win.

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◗ Parranda, the winner of the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes on turf here in June, worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 at Santa Anita on Wednesday. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Parranda was second in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes on turf Sept. 27. She is a candidate for the BC Distaff on Oct. 31 or the BC Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 1, according to Dan Ward, Hollendorfer’s assistant.