Rivals take aim on Wise Dan in rich Shadwell Turf Mile

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Wise Dan drew post 6 in the field of eight older horses entered in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday at Keeneland.

Wise Dan, the two-time reigning Horse of the Year, will have John Velazquez aboard when going for his 14th victory in his last 15 starts in the Shadwell, which had a purse increase from last year and will be the first seven-figure race in track history.

Silver Max, who dealt Wise Dan his only defeat in that span when outrunning him last fall after the Shadwell was transferred from turf to the Polytrack due to rain, is among the chief opposition in the Shadwell, as are two horses – Seek Again and Optimizer – who came within a tight photo of beating the champ this year.

From the hedge, this is the Shadwell field: Sayaad, Optimizer, Grand Arch, Silver Max, Kaigun, Wise Dan, Two Notch Road, and Seek Again.
The Shadwell, a Win and You’re In event for the Breeders’ Cup, is the last of five straight graded stakes, and ninth of 10 overall, on a sensational Saturday card that starts at 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Post time for the Shadwell is 5:45.

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In those other graded races:

◗ Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (race 8, 5:08): Carpe Diem, Bold Conquest, and Conquest Tsunami are among 12 2-year-olds looking to earn an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by winning this 1 1/16-mile race.

◗ Grade 1, $400,000 First Lady (race 7, 4:35): A deep and fabulous field of nine filly and mare turf runners clash in this one-mile fixture, including Filimbi, Istanford, Discreet Marq, and Centre Court.

◗ Grade 2, $200,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (race 6, 4 p.m.): Major Breeders’ Cup implications will be on the line when Leigh Court, R Free Roll, Stonetastic, Southern Honey, and Speedinthruthecity meet among a field of eight filly and mare sprinters.

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Woodford Stakes (race 5, 3:25): Three-year-old No Nay Never joins the usual suspects in a field of 11 turf sprinters, led by Marchman, Spring to the Sky, Sum of the Parts, and Console.

Keeneland mutuels director Jim Goodman said two late pick four wagers will be offered Saturday, on races 6-9 and 7-10.