Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Distance suits Vosburgh hero Mufasa better than BC Sprint
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Mufasa has returned home to Keeneland following his win in the Vosburgh at Aqueduct and his connections are leaning toward running him back in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Trainer Ignacio Correas said the horse is scheduled to fly to Southern California on Oct. 22.
Mufasa earned a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs for his win in the Vosburgh, which was run at seven furlongs. But the Dirt Mile, which will be a two-turn race at Del Mar, might be the better distance for the horse, Correas said Wednesday.
“We are leaning towards that race,” he said. “He’s won twice at a mile. He’s undefeated at a mile.”
Both mile wins came in Mufasa’s native Chile, but were not true two-turn races as they started from a unique chute, said Correas. However, he added that Mufasa won around two turns going a distance of 1 1/8 miles in Chile.
“He doesn’t have a problem with the two turns,” said Correas.
Mufasa returned to Keeneland the day after the Vosburgh. Correas said it’s to be determined whether Mufasa works over the track at Del Mar ahead of the Breeders’ Cup.
“I’m not sure – maybe I work him the day before he ships,” he said. “I don’t need to do too much. He works so fast I usually work him far [out] from the races.”
Mufasa has been made the early 5-1 third choice for the Dirt Mile by Daily Racing Form’s Brad Free, behind 5-2 early favorite National Treasure and 3-1 second choice Skippylongstocking.
Skippylongstocking was third in last year’s Dirt Mile. He’s under consideration for this year’s race, but also for the Grade 1, $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“I would say right now, the front-runner is the Classic,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “It’s not decided just yet. It’s those two races. Obviously, we don’t have to decide yet. We’re going to see how he’s doing, how it’s shaping up, both races, and as we get closer we’ll decide what to do.”
Skippylongstocking, an earner of $3 million, was second by three-quarters of a length in the Woodward last weekend at Aqueduct.
“He bounced out well, very happy with how he came out of it,” Joseph said. “I love how he sat off of it. He had to take back and sat, and I think that’s going to be his best attribute. They’ll go fast, but he’ll sit behind the first bunch, and [it will] give him a good shot.”
Skippylongstocking is at Saratoga. Joseph is working on shipping plans, which might initially include taking the horse to Keeneland before heading to Southern California.
◗ Three Technique earned a berth into the Dirt Mile last weekend by virtue of his win in the Ack Ack, a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs. But he’s not a lock to run as the two-turn configuration of this year’s Dirt Mile is not his specialty.
“It’s not out of the question, but it’s doubtful,” trainer Jason Cook said of running in the Dirt Mile, adding that long range there is a stakes option for the horse late in the year at Churchill.
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