Minnie Hauk remains possible for BC Turf; Diego Velazquez will not run in BC Mile, O'Brien says

Minnie Hauk, a close second in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Oct. 5, remains under consideration for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1, while the five-time stakes winner Diego Velazquez is set for retirement and will not start in the $2 million BC Mile at Del Mar, trainer Aidan O’Brien said on Sunday.

In a brief telephone interview, O’Brien provided an update on some of his expected runners for the Breeders’ Cup races on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, emphasizing that the list has not been finalized.

Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup are due on Oct. 20. The fields will be announced on Oct. 22. Post positions will be drawn on Oct. 27.

Minnie Hauk won three consecutive Group 1 races – the English Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks - from early June to late August before losing by a head to Daryz as the 5-2 favorite in the Arc at Longchamp Racecourse.

O’Brien said if Minnie Hauk is sent to California she will race in the Turf against males.

“At the moment, we’re looking at it,” he said. “She’s in good form.”

Minnie Hauk’s daily training in the next week will help to determine whether a start in the Breeders’ Cup is feasible. “She hasn’t done much” since the Arc, O’Brien said.

Diego Velazquez won the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at a mile at Deauville, France, on Aug. 17, the country’s leading summertime mile race. Diego Velazquez was fifth by three lengths in the Grade 1 Coolmore Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 4 in his first start outside of Europe. Diego Velazquez has won 6 of 12 starts.

“I think he’s retired,” O’Brien said.

In other stakes, True Love, winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse in Britain on Sept. 27, is more likely to start in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint at five furlongs on Oct. 31 instead of the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile the same day.

“We’re probably leaning toward the Sprint, O’Brien said.

Havana Anna, second in the Cheveley Park for trainer Donnacha O’Brien, Aidan’s son, is bound for the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

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