Two more dirt-mile tests on tap at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A second dirt mile is carded for Friday as Keeneland uses another road test toward the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile a week later. The 1 1/16-mile circumference of the main track makes for an unusual layout, with the one-mile races starting behind the regular finish wire and ending at the earlier secondary wire, or what is otherwise the sixteenth pole.

When the first dirt mile in track history was run here Oct. 9 with a field of just six, the gate was set about 40 yards behind the finish pole. For the BC Dirt Mile, for which 16 horses were pre-entered this week, the Keeneland condition book clearly states that the gate will be stationed 210 feet from the regular finish wire. Only as many as 12 can start in the BC Dirt Mile.

The subject race Friday, for maidens, is carded as the 10th and last, with a field of 10 entered.

Another dirt-mile race for maidens – making it the third of the meet – is carded as the fifth race Saturday.

After the Oct. 9 race, several jockeys said the quick run into the first turn figures to make saving ground a key to victory in the Dirt Mile.