Defections lead to major reshuffling of BC Mile field

There’s as much shuffling this weekend in the Breeders’ Cup Mile as in a Las Vegas card room.

Four horses among the 14 top pre-entries aren’t expected to participate in the race, opening the door for a quartet not originally selected to participate to get into the $2 million race.

Bricks and Mortar, trainer Chad Brown told Daily Racing Form’s David Grening on Saturday, will be entered in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, opening one slot in the Mile. Line of Duty tragically sustained a serious injury Saturday in England that led to his being euthanized. Iridessa, whose first preference is the Mile, instead is expected to be entered in the Filly and Mare Turf, while Just Wonderful apparently also will opt for the Filly and Mare Turf.

Those absences will be filled by Suedois, who is shipping from England; Trais Fluors, who ships from France; and Lucullan, who comes from New York, where he won the Grade 2 Knickerbocker in his last start. Without Parole could occupy the last available slot if his connections indeed decide to try the mile. Without Parole, now with trainer Chad Brown after campaigning in Europe with trainer John Gosden, hasn’t raced since May, when he finished 14th in the Group 1 J.T. Lockinge Stakes.

Behind Without Parole on the list of excluded pre-entrants are, in order of preference, Caribou Club, Next Shares, Om, and Snapper Sinclair.