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| Staff Writer |
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As the leaves turn and autumn racing heats up, connections of top thoroughbreds are plotting their assault on the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar. With the two-day extravaganza looming on November 1-2, trainers are fine-tuning their charges and weighing their options.
Seize the Grey, the striking grey or roan colt trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, is keeping his options open following a commanding victory in the US$1 million Gr.1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. The classic-winning three-year-old is now being considered for both the US$7 million Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic and the US$1 million Gr.1 Dirt Mile.
Lukas, buoyed by his charge's performance, reported: "He came out very well. It was a great effort and he bounced out of it good. He's really, really good."
The veteran trainer is taking a measured approach to the Breeders' Cup decision. "We'll look it over, see who's going where and what our chances are. I think we have the option of being in either one and being effective," Lukas explained.
Seize the Grey's Preakness Stakes triumph earlier this year has already etched his name in the history books alongside past winners like Justify, American Pharoah, and Curlin, all of whom went on to Breeders' Cup glory.
The decision carries significant financial implications for the MyRacehorse partnership, which owns a share of Seize the Grey. CEO Michael Behrens noted that a Classic victory would substantially boost their stallion deal with Gainesway Farm.
"We're at a point right now where we really want to go out on top and have a big moment. To end this year with a big performance and a win in the Breeders' Cup would be the cherry on top," Behrens remarked.
Superstar filly Thorpedo Anna is firmly on course for the US$2 million Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Distaff following her gutsy win in the US$1 million Gr.1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx. Trainer Kenny McPeek is brimming with confidence as he prepares his charge for the challenge against older mares.
"She came back super," McPeek reported, adding, "She really just did that in a bit of a gallop."
Thorpedo Anna's Cotillion victory, while closer than her previous dominant performances, showcased her champion's heart as she overcame traffic to secure the win. The daughter of Fast Anna is now being touted as a potential Horse of the year contender, should she prevail in the Distaff.
The Distaff, won last year by Idiomatic, has a storied history of producing champions, with past victors including Monomoy Girl, Beholder, and Zenyatta.
Across the pond, Adrian Keatley's promising colt Symbol Of Strength has entered the Breeders' Cup conversation after sidestepping the Gr.2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury due to unsuitable ground. The son of Kodiac, who impressed with a Group Three win in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton, is now mulling his options.
"The Breeders' Cup is a possibility, but there's plenty of enquiries for him. If he's not sold, the Breeders' Cup is definitely an option," Keatley stated.
While the Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket remains on the radar, Keatley expressed concerns about potential weather issues affecting the going there as well. "I'd love to go to the Middle Park, but I think the weather has gone against us," the trainer admitted.
Symbol Of Strength could follow in the footsteps of Johannesburg and Arazi, European juveniles who found success at the Breeders' Cup.
As the countdown to Del Mar continues, connections of these talented horses will be closely monitoring their charges and the evolving Breeders' Cup picture. With prestigious races and potential year-end honours on the line, the coming weeks promise to be filled with strategic decisions and mounting anticipation for one of racing's most illustrious events.