Grand Arch Will Train at Keeneland for BC Mile
Susan and Jim Hill’s Grand Arch punched his return ticket to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) with a head victory over the fast-closing The Pizza Man to win Saturday’s $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).
“We’ll be here the next 28 days and you know where to find us,” trainer Brian Lynch said Sunday morning after reporting that Grand Arch came out of the race fine. “He is staying here and he’ll have one work before the Breeders’ Cup.”
Grand Arch, who has compiled a 6-3-3-0 record over the Keeneland turf course, returned to the races here in April with a victory in a salty allowance race.
“He ran so big in that, I was not keen on going to Churchill (Downs) for the Turf Classic,” Lynch said. “That was the only race that hasn’t gone to plan. He ran big in the Fourstardave (G2) and I was thinking about the (Ricoh) Woodbine Mile (G1), but the rain up there made it an easy decision to wait for this race.”
The Shadwell marked the second consecutive victory for Grand Arch with jockey Luis Saez aboard.
“They definitely get along well together,” Lynch said. “As Grand Arch has gotten older, he has matured into a nice, big horse. And Luis, as he has gotten older he has matured into a nice, little rider. It is a great combination.”
Grand Arch finished 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year at Santa Anita.
“I like to space his races out, but he is lightly raced this year (with five starts),” Lynch said. “But we are here and I don’t have to ship, so all the signs are good.”
Midwest Thoroughbreds’ The Pizza Man exited his runner-up effort in the race in fine form, according to trainer Roger Brueggemann.
“So far, very well,” Brueggemann said. “He went back to Churchill last night.”
A winner of the Arlington Million (G1) one race prior, The Pizza Man is using Saturday’s effort as a springboard to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) here on Oct. 31.
Midwest Thoroughbreds’ champion sprinter Work All Week, third when defending his title in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G3) on Friday, shipped along with The Pizza Man back to Brueggemann’s Churchill base. Both will train in Louisville in advance of their respective Breeders’ Cup events on Oct. 31.
Joe Herbert, assistant to trainer Charlie Hills, said that Dutch Connection (GB), who finished fifth as the favorite “would likely be going home” to Europe.
“He didn’t handle the turns well,” Herbert said. “His best races at home have been on the straight.”
Pacesetter Kelinni (IRE), who finished seventh, is scheduled to return to Europe late Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Louise Kelly, assistant to trainer Kevin Ryan.
War Envoy, who was scratched out of the race, is scheduled to return to Europe on Tuesday, according to T.J. Comerford, assistant to trainer Aidan O’Brien.
“The ground was too soft,” Comerford said of the course that was labeled as yielding. “We have soft turf at home, but he would not have run on this at home.”
Source: Keeneland Association