Goldencents likely to be on lead in BC Dirt Mile
Given that Santa Anita has a new dirt track, it’s purely conjecture whether there will be a reprise of last year’s pronounced inside-speed bias on Breeders’ Cup Friday, one that helped the front-running Goldencents become the first Dirt Mile winner to stretch out successfully from a shorter race.
Since Goldencents’s only win since then was accomplished wire to wire in the Pat O’Brien Stakes, he probably will be on or very close to the lead if he runs in the Dirt Mile, which was a “90 percent” probability this week, according to trainer Doug O’Neill, whose assistant trainer, Leandro Mora, likely would saddle the 4-year-old colt with earnings just under $2.5 million.
Just who might press Goldencents in the Dirt Mile remains uncertain.
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Fed Biz led to the final strides of the Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, but he was sixth early in the 2012 Dirt Mile and fifth early in last year’s renewal.
The next start for River Rocks, who reeled off three straight allowance wins with Beyer Speed Figures of 96, 105, and 107 before showing the way to deep stretch in the Kelso Handicap, is “still undecided right now,” said trainer John Terranova.
River Rocks, who is not Breeders’ Cup eligible, could supplement to the Sprint or Dirt Mile or stay home for races in New York such as the six-furlong Bold Ruler (Oct. 25) and/or the Cigar Mile (Nov. 29).
Meanwhile, Golden Ticket, who came from 15 lengths behind to finish a clear second in last year’s Dirt Mile, will take another shot in the $1 million race, trainer Ken McPeek confirmed Wednesday.
In other developments:
Atreides, who suffered his first loss when finishing a dull sixth in the Indiana Derby, will regroup in Florida and point to the one-turn Cigar Mile.
Bronzo, who earned a fees-paid berth by winning the Copa de Oro Vinas de Chile while shouldering 134 pounds in Santiago, Chile, has been posting progressively longer workouts at Santa Anita for trainer Jorge Andres Inda, going four furlongs in 49.80 seconds Sept. 16, followed a week later by six furlongs in 1:18.60, and a mile in 1:43 a week after that.
Footbridge, second in the San Diego Handicap and third in the Awesome Again, is unlikely for the Dirt Mile.
“Probably not,” said trainer Eoin Harty. “I don’t think he has enough speed for that race.”
Tonito M. had his first work since taking the Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 28, a half-mile in 50.40 at Santa Anita for Jerry Hollendorfer.