Tapiture more likely for Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile than Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Tapiture had been under consideration for both the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Dirt Mile, but after he worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds on Sunday morning here at Santa Anita, owner Ron Winchell said it was most likely that Tapiture would go in the Dirt Mile, and wouldn’t even be cross-entered in the Classic at the pre-entry stage on Monday.

“The Dirt Mile is more his spot at this point in his career,” said Winchell, who watched the work with trainer Steve Asmussen. “The Classic looks tough. I guess we have to decide by noon tomorrow.”

Monday’s pre-entries mark the first of a two-step entry process for the Breeders’ Cup, to be held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Santa Anita. Horses can pre-enter up to two races on Monday – those pre-entries will be made public on Wednesday – and then the following Monday, Oct. 27, comes the final entry stage, when posts are drawn for all 13 races.

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The Dirt Mile is one of four Breeders’ Cup races to held Oct. 31. The Classic is the last of nine BC races on Nov. 1.

As of Sunday, it appeared 15 horses would be pre-entered in the Classic. In addition to Tapiture likely to opt out for the Dirt Mile, Noble Moon was withdrawn from consideration the Classic.

If that 15 holds for a race with a maximum starting field of 14, one horse, barring defections, would be on the outside looking in until final entry day Oct. 27.

Tapiture worked alone with exercise rider Carlos Rosas aboard. His drill came about an hour, and one renovation break, after the filly Untapable worked five furlongs in 58.60 seconds with Rosas for Winchell and Asmussen in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

“Considering what they were asked to do in February and March, it’s a testament to them that they are doing this well and in this position at this point in the year,” Asmussen said. “It’s extremely impressive.”

Asmussen called Tapiture “an extremely athletic horse, a tremendous mover.”

Both Tapiture and Untapable are scheduled to remain in training next year at age 4, Winchell said.

“My plan is to keep them both in training,” he said, which elicited a “woo-hoo” from a not disinterested Asmussen.

Added Winchell, whose family raced and owns their sire, Tapit: “There’s no better advertisement for Tapit than those two, and Tonalist.”

--additional reporting by David Grening