Breeders' Cup Turf: Decision time for likely favorite Ulysses

Decision time has arrived for people with key participants in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

Expected favorite Ulysses was under consideration for Saturday’s Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in England, although a start in the BC Turf seems more likely. Alan Cooper, the racing manager for the Niarchos family, which co-owns Ulysses, said Wednesday that a decision would be made later this week on whether to target Ascot or wait for the BC Turf.

“We’ve left it to the last minute,” Cooper said.

Ulysses, trained by Michael Stoute in England, was fourth in the 2016 BC Turf at Santa Anita. Ulysses earned a fees-paid berth in this year’s BC Turf with a win in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York Racecourse in England in August. Ulysses was third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly Racecourse in France on Oct. 1.

Ulysses will be retired to stud at the end of this year and will stand at Cheveley Park Stud in England. Cheveley Park is a co-owner of Ulysses.

“From his performance in the BC Turf last year, the plan was always to come back for Del Mar,” Cooper said.

“The horse is well within himself. He’s come out of the Arc in good form. The long-term objective is to be at Del Mar. All being well, he will be there, and that would be his last start.”

There is an increasing likelihood that the BC Turf will include Bullards Alley, the shocking winner of the Grade 1 Canadian International last Sunday at Woodbine by 10 3/4 lengths at 42-1. Trainer Tim Glyshaw said Wednesday that he plans to consult with co-owners Wayne Spalding and Faron McCubbins to finalize details.

“I’ll push for the Breeders’ Cup,” Glyshaw said this week.

A 5-year-old gelding, Bullards Alley won his Grade 1 debut in the Canadian International, his 19th appearance in a stakes.

“It’s an extremely huge effort, and we couldn’t be prouder,” Glyshaw said.

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Oscar Nominated was second in the Canadian International, a performance that left trainer Mike Maker planning a start in the BC Turf. Maker also will run Bigger Picture, who won the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park in July.

Aside from Ulysses, the BC Turf is led by Beach Patrol, trained by Chad Brown, and Highland Reel, trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Beach Patrol won the Arlington Million in August and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Sept. 30 at Belmont Park. Highland Reel won the 2016 BC Turf and was fourth in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July in his last start.

Highland Reel is nominated for the Champion Stakes at Ascot and is a projected starter in the race.

O’Brien has a history of running horses in rapid succession on different continents. In 2015, the 3-year-old filly Found ran three times in 27 days, finishing ninth in the Arc and second in the Champion Stakes before winning the BC Turf at Keeneland. Last year, Found ran in the same three races in a five-week span, winning the Arc, finishing second in the Champion Stakes, and running third in the BC Turf.

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