Mishriff not likely for BC Classic, may target BC Turf

Mishriff, already winner of three internationally important races this year, was likely ruled out of the Breeders’ Cup Classic by co-trainer John Gosden this weekend.

Gosden, speaking on English broadcaster Nick Luck’s racing podcast, reiterated that the relatively short stretch at Del Mar would compromise Mishriff’s chances in the Classic. “The Turf might be the race there for him,” Gosden said.

Mishriff won the $20 million Saudi Cup racing 1 1/8 miles on dirt in February, but King Abdulaziz Racecourse, where the race was held, has a far longer home straight than Del Mar. Mishriff went on to win the Group 1 Sheema Classic going 1 1/2 miles at Meydan, a flat, left-handed track like nearly all in North America. The BC Turf, too, is contested at 1 1/2 miles. Mishriff in his last race won the Group 1 Juddmonte International over about 1 5/16 miles at York.

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Gosden also confirmed that Europe’s leading miler, Palace Pier, won’t start next weekend in the Prix du Moulin and will await the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October at Ascot.

Baaeed, the exciting William Haggas-trained 3-year-old, is expected to head the Moulin.

St. Mark’s Basilica likely for Irish Champion;
Snowfall to France, Santa Barbara to Keeneland

St. Mark’s Basilica remains on track to race in the Irish Champion Stakes on Sept. 11 at Leopardstown, trainer Aidan O’Brien told overseas racing media this weekend. The star 3-year-old, winner of the French Guineas, the French Derby, and the Eclipse Stakes, where he beat older horses Addeybb and Mishriff, had to be taken out of the Juddmonte International after he threw a horseshoe, cut his leg, and the cut became infected.

O’Brien had further news on elite 3-year-old fillies Snowfall and Santa Barbara. Snowfall, favorite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, will have her Arc prep in the Prix Vermeille on Sept. 12. Santa Barbara, winner of the Belmont Oaks Invitational and the Beverly D. Stakes in her last two starts, is likely to ship to America again for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Oct. 16 at Keeneland.

*** Lavender’s Blue, a 20-1 shot, upset long-layoff comeback runner Benbatl and eight others Saturday at Goodwood in the Group 2 Celebration Mile. Benbatl had a rough trip making his first start in 11 months and was beaten a head by Lavender’s Blue.