BC Mile

BREEDERS’
CUP PREVIEWS

SIX PERFECTIONS (Fr) (Celtic Swing) provided a slight upset in
last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) when rallying in the stretch
to take the firm turf test by three parts of a length. The Pascal
Bary-trained four-year-old returns on Saturday against 13 rivals
to try for a second straight score, but faces a more talented
group this time around. Some in here are trying this race for the
first time, while others are returning off the best seasons of
their careers. We’re going to pick one from the latter category
to once again cause an upset.

SOARING FREE (Smart Strike) finished a good fifth in this race
last year, but wasn’t seen in competition again until taking the
Shakertown S. (G3) at Keeneland in mid-April. Since then, the
Mark Frostad-trained five-year-old has dropped only one start for
the year, but that came on the main track. He earned a 103 BRIS
Speed figure for his Keeneland score as well as a century-topping
111 BRIS E2 Pace rating.

The dark bay gelding was named champion sprinter in Canada
last year, but recorded the biggest win of his career last out
when taking the Atto Mile S. (Can-G1). In that one, Soaring Free
grabbed the lead from the start, was briefly headed at the second
call by Royal Regalia (Cozzene), but quickly regained the
advantage and held off all challengers to take the firm turf test.
He posted a nice five-furlong move in 1:00 4/5 on October 23 at
his home track of Woodbine to prepare for this and could surprise
in here at a nice price. Regular rider Todd Kabel has the call.

Six Perfections entered last year’s Mile off a win in the Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) at Deauville in France, and came
close to following that same route when finishing second to
WHIPPER (Miesque’s Son) in that test most recently. She’s lightly
raced this season, showing only three starts, but has finished
off the board only once from eight starts at a mile. The black
filly will be getting Lasix added for the first time here, and
will have Jerry Bailey, who was aboard for last year’s Mile win,
back in the irons for the repeat attempt.

NOTHING TO LOSE (Sky Classic) has blossomed this season,
returning off a near year-long hiatus under the tutelage of
trainer Bobby Frankel to finish a close second in the San Marcos
S. (G2). The four-year-old went on to finish close in two other
graded tests, before posting wins in the Fourstardave H. (G2) and
Shadwell Turf Mile S. (G1) in his most recent races. He earned
105 Speed ratings for those last two as well as triple-digit E2
Pace figures. Nothing to Lose is tops in BRIS Prime Power (184.2)
for this field and will likely stalk the early pace before
challenging for the win in the stretch. John Velazquez will be in
the saddle.

MUSICAL CHIMES (In Excess [Ire]) proved herself against the
boys earlier this year, so her connections moved her from the
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), in which she finished a very troubled 10th last year, to this one. Conditioned by Neil Drysdale, the
dark bay miss was a good seventh against males in the Charles
Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) before capturing the John C. Mabee H.
(G1) in late July. Last year’s French One Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1)
queen, the four-year-old just missed to be fourth in the Beverly
D. S. (G1), then scored in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G2)
back against the boys last time. She owns nice numbers and worked
six furlongs in 1:15 around the dogs on the firm Santa Anita turf
Sunday. Musical Chimes could make it two years in a row for the
fillies with Kent Desormeaux holding the reins.

SPECIAL RING (Nureyev) finished five lengths back in eighth in
the 2003 Mile, then took a long break. He returned last out to
successfully defend his title in the Eddie Read H. (G1) and will
probably try to lead this field from gate to wire. A mile
specialist, the Julio Canani charge owns the numbers to get the
job done under Victor Espinoza.

MR O’BRIEN (Ire) (Mukaddamah) surprised at 11-1 in the Dixie S.
(G2) at Pimlico earlier this year, then finished close in both
the Manhattan H. (G1) and United Nations (G1). He ran an even
sixth in the Arlington Million (G1) three back, but finally was
moved back to the mile distance he prefers when taking the Kelso
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at Belmont last out. The five-year-old
chestnut earned a 102 Late Pace figure for that one and could
challenge in the stretch here.

Whipper hasn’t raced in 55 days, but a layoff didn’t stop him
from winning the Prix Djebel in France by eight lengths in his
first start this season. He’ll be getting first-time Lasix in
this spot and will keep regular French rider Christophe Soumillon
in the saddle. The pair could come running late in the exotics.

ARTIE SCHILLER (El Prado [Ire]) has won both of his starts at
eight furlongs, but might prefer more ground. However, the James
Jerkens-trained sophomore is too talented to completely leave out
of consideration. He scored in his past two starts, both Grade 2s,
while earning competitive numbers, and could show up in the
stretch to grab a top three placing under Richard Migliore.
SINGLETARY (Sultry Song) is a specialist at the distance and has
posted nothing but triple-digit Speed ratings since September of
last year. The bay four-year-old finished only a head back in
third in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G2) last out and is
our sleeper special.

BLACKDOUN (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]) will try to keep his record
perfect stateside in this one after taking the Oceanside S. (second
division), La Jolla H. (G2) and Del Mar Derby (G2). The massive
gray colt has successfully stretched out since shipping to the
United States, but has plenty of experience winning at a mile.
Include in the exotics. SILVER TREE (Hennessy) has traded the win
spot with Nothing to Lose quite a few times this year and could
easily find himself filling out the bottom of the gimmicks.

ANTONIUS PIUS (Danzig) will be getting Lasix added to help his
chances, but hasn’t been able to challenge overseas this year. We
can’t recommend based on his current form. DIAMOND GREEN (Fr) (Green
Desert) has filled the runner-up spot for much of the year in
England and France, but might not be able to keep up against
these. We’ll let him beat us. DOMESTIC DISPUTE (Unbridled’s Song)
could show improvement while shortening in distance here but is
facing a tough task in only his second start on the turf.

TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS:		1st-SOARING FREE
		2nd-SIX PERFECTIONS (Fr)
		3rd-NOTHING TO LOSE