Uni's dazzling run makes her an exciting Breeders' Cup Mile prospect

The Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday at Keeneland was the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race linked to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and all credit to Bowies Hero for a convincing, professional victory there that punched his Breeders’ Cup ticket.

But it was the First Lady Stakes, won in dazzling fashion by the 5-year-old mare Uni, that might have yielded the more exciting Mile prospect. Uni, coming from 11th behind a strong pace on a lightning-fast course, ran a mile in 1:32.87, which was considerably faster than Bowies Hero and, in fact, faster than any horse ever had run a mile on Keeneland’s turf course.

The course-record-setting performance earned a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure and moved Uni’s connections to say they plan to supplement her to the Breeders’ Cup for $100,000. The First Lady was a Win and You’re In race for the Filly and Mare Turf, but Uni’s people can transfer that to the Mile to ensure her a spot in the race.

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Uni is not the only female with a strong closing kick and a major chance in the Mile, the other being Woodbine Mile runner-up and Fourstardave winner Got Stormy, who will move from Woodbine to Keeneland this week to put the finishing touches on her Breeders’ Cup preparation, trainer Mark Casse said.

Bowies Hero, meanwhile, got a 98 winning the Shadwell Turf Mile, and he’s scheduled to return to trainer Phil D’Amato’s home base on Oct. 10. Bowies Hero endured a troubled trip when fifth in the Del Mar Mile, and with five starts this year won’t need any hard training to get to the Mile ready to roll.

“Over the years, I’ve learned what he needs,” D’Amato said. “Once he’s in this kind of high form, he doesn’t need much, just maintenance leading up to the Breeders’ Cup. His confidence is up, and when he wins races he really gets good.”

Suedois, who was third from a poor draw in the Shadwell, is a possible Mile runner, according to trainer David O’Meara, who was at Keeneland on Saturday. O’Meara has a second possible Mile runner in Lord Glitters, whose status for the race will be determined after he starts in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Oct. 19 at Ascot.

Shadwell runner-up Diamond Oops, who set the pace and held well while moving way up in class, also is aimed at the Mile, trainer Patrick Biancone said.

The City of Hope Mile on Saturday at Santa Anita hardly was a clarifying race, with True Valour home by a head in a blanket finish. Several horses out of the City of Hope could try to get into the Mile, but whether they’re good enough to factor is a different question.

Sunday’s Prix de la Foret in France went to One Master. The fifth-place finisher in the 2018 BC Mile, One Master races at Ascot on Oct. 19 rather than Santa Anita. Runner up City Light isn’t coming to the Mile, either.