Tawny Port thrives on activity. That was evident in a five-week period from late August to early October, when Tawny Port finished second in three rich stakes at Kentucky Downs and Woodbine. The efforts have convinced Peachtree Stable and trainer Miguel Clement to plan a start for Tawny Port in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1. “The last five weeks, he’s run three terrific races,” Clement said on Wednesday. “It gives us confidence.” Tawny Port has won 5 of 29 starts in a career that began in December 2021 with trainer Brad Cox. Tawny Port finished seventh at 80-1 behind Rich Strike in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and was switched from dirt to turf after he was sent to trainer Christophe Clement in 2023. Tawny Port has been trained by Miguel Clement since late spring, following the death of his father in May. In August 2023, Tawny Port won the restricted John’s Call Stakes at 1 5/8 miles on turf at Saratoga, his last win. Tawny Port has been beaten in his last 15 starts, including a nose loss in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine on Oct. 4 in his latest start. :: BREEDERS’ CUP TURF: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more In the Canadian International at 1 1/2 miles, Tawny Port closed from eighth of 10 to just miss catching pacesetter Silawi, another expected starter in the BC Turf. “It’s unfortunate the wire came one stride too soon,” Clement said. “It’s been unfair. He tries very hard. It’s not like he’s not very brave.” Tawny Port was second by 3 3/4 lengths to Ole Crazy Bone in the Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles on Sept. 6. A week earlier, Tawny Port finished second by 5 1/2 lengths to Flatten the Curve in the $700,000 Bowling Green Gold Cup at 2 1/16 miles at Kentucky Downs. Clement said that Tawny Port and the rest of his Breeders’ Cup runners, including Filly and Mare Turf contender Bellezza, will be sent to Del Mar more than a week in advance. They will have their final preparations at Saratoga and their training at Del Mar will be on the easier side. “We’re not going to be too tough,” Clement said. “We’ll worry about soundness, feed tub, and well-being.” Aside from Tawny Port, the list of American-based BC Turf contenders is led by Ole Crazy Bone and Gold Phoenix, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap for the fourth consecutive year on Aug. 30 and followed with a win in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 27. The foreign contingent is expected to include Minnie Hauk, second in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Oct. 5; Rebel’s Romance, who won the BC Turf in 2022 and last year; and Ombudsman, the projected favorite in Saturday’s Group 1 Champion Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Ascot in Britain. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.