Key contenders in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

KEY CONTENDERS

Accelerate, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 110-109-86

◗ His two best races have been since blinkers were added and he switched to jockey Victor Espinoza, and he loves this track.

◗ He is seeking to give Sadler his first Breeders’ Cup win.

Cupid, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 99-99-108

◗ He won his lone start here, but it was against inferior competition. His disappointing fourth as the favorite in the Awesome Again made the cutback to a mile preferred over the Classic, a race his owners used for European imports Churchill and War Decree.

Mor Spirit, by Eskendereya
Last 3 Beyers: 117-107-108

◗ He turned in a freakish performance in the Met Mile, which was his third straight victory, but the race took a toll on him in the weeks soon thereafter.

“Coming off a layoff, he’s got his work cut out for him,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2017: Fields, odds, comments, and more

Practical Joke, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 104-94-101

◗ He is a thoroughly admirable performer who was a two-time Grade 1 winner at 2 and won the Grade 1 Jerkens at 3 in his last start.

◗ Trainer Chad Brown said there is a chance he could still run once more after this race, in the Cigar Mile. But he is off to stud at the end of the year.

:: Breeders' Cup PPs, Clocker Reports, and more

Sharp Azteca, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 112-108-106

◗ He is in career form, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 101 or better in his last six starts in the United States.