Breeders' Cup Turf: Masteroffoxhounds has options after withdrawals
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ARCADIA, Calif. — A series of withdrawals from the Breeders’ Cup Mile and BC Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 will allow Masteroffoxhounds to gain a berth in one of the fields. Trainer Phil D’Amato said on Saturday that a race is unlikely to be selected until Monday’s entry deadline.
“I’ll have to talk to the owners and let them decide where they want to take a shot,” D’Amato said.
Masteroffoxhounds gained a berth in the BC Turf after the Irish stakes winner Piz Badile was not flown to California this weekend, according to Breeders’ Cup officials.
The BC Turf at 1 1/2 miles will be a new distance for Masteroffoxhounds, a winner of 4 of 26 starts. Masteroffoxhounds is winless in seven starts since a victory in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in October 2022.
Masteroffoxhounds was second in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship on Oct. 1 in his last start.
A 6-year-old horse, Masteroffoxhounds has been based in California since he was imported from Ireland in the late summer of 2020. A home circuit advantage may give Masteroffoxhounds a better opportunity to outrun his status as a longshot.
“It’s California and a firm turf course and those things give him his best chances,” D’Amato said.
The BC Turf field is led by the European Group 1 winners Auguste Rodin, Mostahdaf, and King of Steel.
Masteroffoxhounds will be ridden by Edwin Maldonado, D’Amato said.
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