Blackjackcat may prep for Breeders' Cup in Shadwell Mile

Blackjackcat, the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Aug. 20, may be sent to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile on Oct. 8 to solidify his chances of a start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

The Del Mar Mile was Blackjackcat’s first graded stakes win, and trainer Mark Glatt thinks the 4-year-old gelding will need to accomplish more to secure a berth in the BC Mile.

Santa Anita does not have a graded stakes for turf milers at its upcoming autumn meeting, which runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 29. The Grade 2, $200,000 City of Hope Mile has been replaced this year by the $75,000 Obviously Mile on Oct. 7 because of purse constraints.

“If he stays home and wins the Obviously, it’s a little iffy whether we’d get in the Breeders’ Cup,” Glatt said last weekend. “Has he done enough?”

The $1 million Shadwell Mile has its pros and cons, Glatt said. He described the prize money as “intriguing,” but expressed concern about travel.

“I’ve never shipped and run the horse,” he said. “It would be an easy decision if he runs a good 1, 2 or 3. It gives us a chance to get in the Breeders’ Cup.”

Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, Blackjackcat has won 5 of 13 starts and earned $353,270. Blackjackcat has won three consecutive starts, all in turf miles, a streak that began with an optional claimer at Santa Anita on July 2. Blackjackcat won the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar on July 23.

In the Del Mar Mile, Blackjackcat was always near the front and won by a head over Vyjack.

“It was a quality race he won the other day,” Glatt said.