Breeders’ Cup Turf: Burnham Square could get preferred conditions

Burnham Square in his last three races eked out a win in the listed Chorleywood Stakes, ran hard to defeat modest competition in the Arlington Million, and finished seventh in the Kentucky Turf Cup. It’s Burnham Square’s performance five races ago that gives his connections hope he can contend in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Racing over a Keeneland course with some give in the ground, Burnham Square won the 1 1/2-mile Elkhorn by 9 3/4 lengths, and his 107 Beyer Speed Figure is BC Turf material, for sure.

“If we got some rain, that wouldn’t hurt my feelings,” trainer Ian Wilkes said.

Burnham Square never has shipped especially well, and Wilkes said he paced and fretted all day before running in the Turf Cup on Sept. 5 at Kentucky Downs. It was nearly 100 degrees that afternoon, and by the time Burnham Square actually raced, he was fried.

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“He’s back to his old self again,” Wilkes said last week. Burnham Square has worked four times since the Kentucky Downs flop over the synthetic track at the Skylight Training Center. “He’s very sharp, very good right now.”

Burnham Square will have all his breezes at Skylight before shipping to Keeneland the Monday before the BC Turf.

“That will give me a chance to school him in the paddock, school him in the gate – really give me some time to mess around with him there,” Wilkes said.

◗ The Ireland-based 3-year-old filly Diamond Necklace is the antepost BC Turf favorite with English bookmakers.

◗ Bay City Roller, second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, could still come for the Turf after running in the Champion Stakes on Saturday at Ascot.

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