Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Key contenders

KEY CONTENDERS

Dortmund, by Big Brown

Last 3 Beyers: 110-102-110

◗ His Beyer Speed Figures reflect that he has fired in his three starts this year, but he has run into California Chrome.

◗ He added blinkers for his last start and will wear them again in the Dirt Mile.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2016: Odds, comments, video previews, and more

Runhappy, by Super Saver

Last 3 Beyers: 87-102-108

◗ He got a poor Beyer in his comeback, but he needed the race and has worked well at Santa Anita.

◗ He finished ninth in his only two-turn race, albeit in the second start of his career.

◗ He did win his lone start at Santa Anita, last year’s Malibu Stakes, vanquishing, among others, top sprinter Lord Nelson.

Gun Runner, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 102-102-92

◗ He has run his fastest Beyers in his last two starts and has given every indication this week that he is sitting on another peak performance.

Vyjack, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 107-103-98

◗ He has never earned faster figures than in his last two starts, since switching over to trainer Phil D’Amato.

◗ His first preference was the Mile on turf, but when he was excluded from that race at pre-entry time, the Dirt Mile became the focus for D’Amato and owner David Wilkenfeld, even though there were so many defections from the Mile at entry time Monday that Vyjack could have gone there.

“Like my owner said,” D’Amato said of being initially left out of the Mile’s top 14, “maybe it’s divine intervention.”