Breeders' Cup Mile: Toronado likely the top European representative

Toronado is set to be the highest-profile – perhaps the only – European shipper to start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile after being taken out of consideration for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday at Ascot in England.

Toronado prefers good or firm turf, and the going at Ascot is expected to be soft for the major set of races there Saturday. Firm turf, on the other hand, is a near certainty for the BC Mile.

Three-year-old Toronado, who has not yet been 100 percent confirmed for the Breeders’ Cup, figures to be one of the favorites for the $2 million race. A winner in three of his six starts, Toronado was beaten a nose by top-class Dawn Approach in the St. James’s Palace Stake at Royal Ascot, but avenged that loss while defeating good older horses – including BC Classic possible Declaration of War – in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes on July 31 at Goodwood.

Toronado’s most recent start was a dud, a sixth-place finish in the Juddmonte International on Aug. 21. The 1 5/16 miles of the Juddmonte probably was farther than Toronado wants to run, and the colt reportedly suffered a breathing problem during the race, subsequently undergoing minor surgery to correct it.

Toronado’s England-based trainer, Richard Hannon, has a long legacy of disappointment in U.S. races. Hannon has compiled a 0-1-0 record in 14 starts in North America, and his highest placing among seven Breeders’ Cup starters was a fourth by Paco Boy in the 2010 Mile. Last year, the Hannon-trained Sky Lantern finished an unlucky 12th in the Juvenile Fillies Turf before going on to become one of Europe’s top milers in 2013.

The Group 1 QE II is the last remaining race that will have a bearing on the Mile, and it’s possible another horse or two could emerge from it and wheel back in the Mile, like Excelebration did last year.

Closer to home, Sept. 12 Knickerbocker Stakes winner Za Approval was named by his connections an intended Mile starter on Wednesday. Za Approval finished second to top milers Obviously and Wise Dan in his two starts before the Knickerbocker.

The Mile, which will have Wise Dan as a heavy favorite, remains on course to attract one of the shorter fields in its history.