Dortmund needs rider for Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Bob Baffert this week said Dortmund would run in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but another major decision regarding that horse is pending. Baffert said Rafael Bejarano would not ride Dortmund in the Breeders’ Cup, but he had yet to decide who would replace him.

Bejarano rode Dortmund in his last two races, a third in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar and a second in the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita. Both races were won by California Chrome.

Top riders without a mount in that race include Victor Espinoza and John Velazquez. Mike Smith, who rides Arrogate for Baffert in the Classic, is riding Tamarkuz in the Dirt Mile, according to his agent, Brad Pegram.

Baffert said Bejarano definitely would ride for him aboard Klimt in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Noted and Quoted in the Juvenile Fillies but expressed a desire on Friday to have multiple riders on his mounts in Breeders’ Cup races.

“If you use one guy and he goes cold, you’re in trouble,” Baffert said.