Johannes pointing toward City of Hope as path to Breeders' Cup Mile

Johannes, California’s leading turf miler this year, will be raced sparingly in advance of an intended start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Trainer Tim Yakteen said on Wednesday that Johannes is likely to skip the next race for the division – the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 31 – in favor of the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.

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Johannes won his lone start of the summer in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on July 28.

“Right now, we’ll point to the City of Hope,” Yakteen said. “That’s our outline.

“Otherwise, I’d have two races in him. He’s done well having his races spaced apart.”

Owned by Joe and Debby McCloskey, who races as Cuthahy, LLC, Johannes is unbeaten in three starts this year, including two one-mile races on turf at Santa Anita in the spring – the Grade 3 American Stakes on April 4 in his 2024 debut, and the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 27.

In recent years, the winner of the Shoemaker Mile has received a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile. This year, the provision will go to the winner of the $200,000 City of Hope Mile.

Johannes, 4, has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $573,859.

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