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A couple of news items trickling out on potential Breeders' Cup contenders shipping in from across the pond:
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The connections of Behkabad (FR), fourth place finisher of the Arc and winner of the Group 2 Prix Neil, have stated that they will head to Churchill Downs to run in the Turf. (Racing Post: Behkabad aimed at Breeders' Cup Turf).
Behkabad was the betting favorite in this year's Arc, is a tried and true runner at twelve furlongs (although he's also won at a mile and a mile and a eighth), has had success over both soft and good turf courses in Europe, and would be a strong contender for win honors in this year's Turf. -
The connections of San Frontieres (IRE), winner of three straight Group races, including the Irish St. Leger at the Curragh, have stated that they may also take a shot at the Breeders' Cup Turf.
San Frontieres would be a curious betting interest in the Turf in that he probably won't have the "flash" attached to him like a horse exiting the Arc or another of the big Group 1 races in Europe. He is, however, a proven winner at the Group level in races at a mile and a half and longer. San Frontieres would come into the Turf having won three straight group races: Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes (12f - Newmarket), Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (13f - Newbury), and Group 1 Irish St. Leger (14f - Curragh).
San Frontieres looks like one of those European horses that could get ignored on the tote board and then run a huge race at good odds. If he ships over he's definitely one to watch. -
And finally, and certainly not least, in what is shaping up to be a Breeders' Cup Mile for the ages, Paco Boy (IRE) will go to Churchill Downs to take on rival and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Goldikova (IRE). Paco Boy won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, Group 2 Bet365 Mile in 2010, and the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009. He's also finished second to Goldikova in both the Group 1 Prix de la Foret and the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes in 2010.
Think about some of the horses that are considering the Mile this year:
- Goldikova: Going for three in a row
- Paco Boy: One of Goldikova's chief rivals in Europe
- Gio Ponti: Former Arlington Million winner who made a spirited return to a mile last weekend at Keeneland
- Rip Van Winkle: More likely for the Classic but still a Mile possibility
- Court Vision: Winner of the Woodbine Mile
- Proviso (GB): winner of four straight Grade 1 races
- Sidney's Candy: A big time turf talent waiting on a pending sale
That's not a bad line-up at all, and we could still see a few more European horses decide to toss their hat into the ring. This year's Mile could be an epic race.