Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2018: Projected field, odds
The $1 million Breeders’ Cup 2018 Dirt Mile, to be run in the one-turn configuration at Churchill Downs, will mark the 12th renewal of a race added to the championships in 2007. When everything shakes out — often, it’s a debate for connections between the this event, the Sprint and the Classic — the Dirt Mile field could be small.
Below is a look at the projected field and odds, which will not balance given the field isn’t finalized, but instead reflect the type of price we expect once the morning line is set.
Battle of Midway, 20-1 [Smart Strike – Jerry Hollendorfer – 15: 5-3-2 - $1,301,549] The 14-1 winner of last year’s Dirt Mile at Del Mar has made two starts in his comeback to the races after an unsuccessful career at stud. A fifth-place finish in the Kelso (G2) at Belmont Park appeared a bit of a setback.
Catalina Cruiser, 2-1 [Union Rags – John Sadler – 4: 4-0-0 - $303,600] Unbeaten in four starts in a career that began in October of 2017, this Hornis Racing runner will face his biggest challenge when he races away from California for the first time while making his initial appearance in a Grade 1 stakes.
City of Light, 6-1 [Quality Road – Michael McCarthy – 9: 4-4-1 - $1,112,600] Never off the board in his nine-race career, City of Light has 2018 graded stakes victories at seven furlongs and a mile and an eighth. He handed Breeders’ Cup Classic favorite Accelerate his only loss of the year in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
Firenze Fire, 15-1 [Poseidon’s Warrior – Jason Servis – 13: 6-1-1 - $1,074,100] Trainer Jason Servis said after Firenze Fire’s win in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx back on September 22 that he would wait to see which field comes up softer, the Sprint or the Dirt Mile.
Giant Expectations, 25-1 [Frost Giant – Peter Eurton – 14: 4-3-2 - $1,145,400] This New York-bred lost all chance in last year’s Dirt Mile after a slow start. He prepped for the 2018 edition with a third in the Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Limousine Liberal, 10-1 [Successful Appeal – Ben Colebrook – 24: 9-6-5 - $1,705,261] He will be pre-entered in the Sprint and the Dirt Mile. Plagued with bad racing luck in his last two starts, he sports a stellar record at Churchill Downs with six wins in eight starts.
Lone Sailor, 20-1 [Majestic Warrior - Tom Amoss - 14:2-5-2 - $873,237] Trainer Tom Amoss announced that Lone Sailor is now definite for the championships, and that he will be cross-entered in the Dirt Mile and the Classic. It was quality of his recent victory in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) that convinced Amoss to enter.
Mind Your Biscuits, 5-2 [Posse – Chad Summers – 24: 8-10-3 - $4,279,566] The leading money winner among New York-breds is under consideration for the Sprint and the Classic as well. His impressive victory going two turns in the Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs has some people thinking that the Classic is next, while others feel that he is best suited for the shorter Dirt Mile.
Promises Fulfilled, 8-1 [Shackleford – Dale Romans – 10: 6-0-2 - $920,280] Romans has to decide between the Sprint and the Dirt Mile for his son of Shackleford and who has found his niche and has been on a tear racing around one turn. He beat older competition last time in Keeneland’s Phoenix (G2).
Whitmore, 12-1 [Pleasantly Perfect – Ron Moquett– 23: 11-6-2 - $2,041,000] The 5-year-old gelding continues to prove himself on the racetrack with victories in big races like the seven-furlong Forego (G1) at Saratoga. Off that race his connections are considering the Dirt Mile and the Sprint.
Possible: Awesome Slew, Mo Dont No, Seven Trumpets, Timeline, Trigger Warning, Warrior’s Club.