O’Brien’s Churchill added to Breeders’ Cup Classic 2017 mix

Of the 187 Breeders’ Cup 2017 pre-entered horses revealed Wednesday, 23 are cross-entered in two races, with no impending decision more interesting than that of Churchill’s connections.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained turf star was given preference to start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic — against the likes of Gun Runner and Arrogate — over the Mile on grass.

At the same time we learned stateside of O’Brien’s plans, SportingLife.com posted an interview with the conditioner that said Churchill “is very like Giant's Causeway. He is miler that you would like to think will get a mile and a quarter.

"He is big and powerful, like those dirt horses.”

Giant's Causeway, of course, ran 2nd in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic.

By Galileo, Churchill ran 3rd last time out in Ascot’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the weekend. O’Brien said jockey Ryan Moore “never got into top gear, but he went to the line very strong. He seems to have come out the race well and we look forward to what is going to happen.”

The trainer added that there’s a “big chance” that means entering the Classic. The decision will be made by Monday, when post positions are drawn for the Nov. 3-4 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

O’Brien-trained War Decree, a Group 2 winner as a juvenile and Group 3 winner last out, is also under consideration for the Classic, which had a full prospective field of 14 enter.

It’s unlikely that many actually run, as Cupid (Dirt Mile) and War Story (Turf) list other Breeders’ Cup races as a first preference.