Bravazo to Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile; likely puts Gunnevera in Classic

Bravazo worked worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, after which his trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, said he would definitely run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and not the Classic. Both races are Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, and Bravazo was pre-entered in both on Wednesday, with the Dirt Mile listed as his preference.

"That's where we're headed," Lukas said.

Lukas said Luis Contreras has the mount.

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Bravazo was ranked 15th for the Classic after the international panel got done with its work on the 19 horses pre-entered in the Classic. In the body of the Classic are City of Light, who cross entered in the Dirt Mile and is expected to go there, and Lone Sailor, whose trainer, Tom Amoss, said no decision has yet been made on whether he runs in the Classic or Dirt Mile.

Lone Sailor worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

So, assuming City of Light goes to the Dirt Mile along with Bravazo, that means Gunnevera – ranked 16th yesterday – moves into the maximum 14-horse field for the Classic.

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Seeking the Soul would thus be ranked 15th, so the decision on Lone Sailor could be pivotal on whether he gets in. He also is cross-entered in the Dirt Mile, but his preference is the Classic.

Final entries are due Monday, and posts drawn then. Up to two also-eligibles are allowed for the Classic, with scratch time 8 am Eastern on Nov. 2.