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The popular grey colt Seize the Grey is being aimed at the Gr.1 Breeders’ Dirt Mile rather than the Classic, with connections opting for the shorter trip following his Pennsylvania Derby success.
Trained by veteran handler D. Wayne Lukas, the 3YO will face his elders for the first time.
Drawing post 6, the Preakness and Pat Day Mile victor faces stiff competition from morning-line favourite Domestic Product, who enters off consecutive stakes victories in New York for trainer Chad Brown. Muth, second in last year's Juvenile, brings strong California form for Bob Baffert.
The race has attracted a quality field including last year's third Skippylongstocking, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr, who has collected three graded stakes this term including the Gr.2 Oaklawn Handicap and Gr.2 Charles Town Classic.
Past winners of this prestigious contest include the brilliant Cody's Wish, who triumphed last year before adding the Metropolitan Handicap and Forego Stakes to his impressive CV. City of Light landed the 2018 renewal before claiming Dubai World Cup glory, while Battle of Midway took the 2017 edition.
"It was actually a pretty tough decision—we went back and forth a lot," said Michael Behrens, founder and CEO of MyRacehorse, who campaign Seize the Grey in partnership with about 2,500 co-owners. "There was a lot of confidence that he would do well in either race. He came out of the Pennsylvania Derby so good. We just kind of felt that we were in a position of strength. In the Pat Day Mile, we thought he ran an incredible race."
The decision to target the mile was made in consultation with Gainesway, who have secured the breeding rights to the son of Arrogate.
Adding depth to the field is Gr.3 Ack Ack Stakes victor Three Technique, who earned his Breeders' Cup berth through the "Win and You're In" series for trainer Jason Cook. Recent stakes winners Mufasa (Gr.3 Vosburgh), Post Time (Polynesian Stakes) and Saudi Crown (R.A. "Cowboy" Jones Stakes) complete a compelling lineup.
Notable absentees include 2023 Preakness winner National Treasure, ruled out with a foot issue, and Fort Bragg, both trained by Baffert, leaving him to rely solely on Muth's chances.