Breeders' Cup: A. U. Miner to break from outside in Marathon

A. U. Miner, the fourth-place finisher in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Marathon, will break from the outside post under jockey Calvin Borel in a field of 11 as the 3-1 favorite in this year’s edition of the $500,000 race.

A. U. Miner was beaten 5 1/2 lengths in last year’s 1 3/4-mile Marathon. Like last year, A. U. Miner is coming into the race after earlier finishing first in the 1 1/2-mile Greenwood Cup, but unlike last year, A. U. Miner was disqualified from first after testing positive for a corticosteroid. His trainer, Clark Hanna, has appealed the finding.

Birdrun, winner of the 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn Handicap earlier this year, was made the 7-2 second choice and will break from post 1 under John Velazquez. Giant Oak, winless in six starts since taking the Feb. 9 Donn Handicap, was made the 9-2 third choice and will break from post 5.

Eldaafer, last year’s Marathon winner at 10.60-1, was made 10-1 on the morning line and will break from post 10 under Javier Castellano.

From the rail out, the field is Birdrun, Baryshnikov (12-1, Mike Smith), Meeznah (12-1, Thomas Queally), Pleasant Prince (12-1, Joel Rosario), Giant Oak, Brigantin (8-1, Julien Leparoux), Harrison’s Cave (30-1, Ryan Moore), Afleet Again (30-1, Cornelio Velasquez), Cease (6-1, Garrett Gomez), Eldaafer, and A. U. Miner.

Marathon, Post Time: 1:20 ET Saturday

Purse: $500,000; 1 3/4 mile; gr. III

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	ML Odds
	Birdrun	Bill Mott	John Velazquez	7-2
	Baryshnikov	Michael Maker	Mike Smith	12-1
	Meeznah	David Lanigan	Tom Queally	12-1
	Pleasant Prince	Wesley Ward	Joel Rosario	12-1
	Giant Oak	Chris Block	Shawn Bridgemohan	9-2
	Brigantin	Andre Fabre	Julien Leparoux	8-1
	Harrison's Cave	Aidan O'Brien	Ryan Moore	30-1
	Afleet Again	Robert Reid	Cornelio Velasquez	30-1
	Cease	Al Stall, Jr.	Garrett Gomez	6-1
	Eldaafer	Diane Alvarado	Javier Castellano	10-1
	A.U. Miner	Clark Hanna	Calvin Borel	3-1