Claire Novak 9y

BC Mile a wide open affair

Horse Racing

With two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan sidelined after dominating back-to-back editions of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile, a slew of contenders entered the marquee turf event to be run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

Anodin, a full brother to the three-time Mile-winning mare Goldikova, to be ridden by Olivier Peslier, is included among European raiders led by elite miler Toronado, who won the Queen Anne Stakes this spring. Freddy Head brought Anodin over for breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and will depart post 9, while Richard Hannon conditions Toronado, who starts from the 5 hole under Richard Hughes for Al Shaqab Racing.

Two-time Group 1 winner Karakontie, Group 1 winner Kingsbarns, and multiple group III victors Kiyoshi and Mustajeeb were among the foreign horses pre-entered, along with Woodbine Mile winner Trade Storm and Group 1-placed Veda.

Trade Storm, who runs for Qatar Racing and trainer David Simcock, will depart the 8 hole under Jamie Spencer. The 6-year-old Trade Fair runner seeks his second win in North America after taking the Woodbine Mile by half a length over fellow Mile contender Kaigun.

Local contenders who ran well against Wise Dan but never managed to best him are Obviously, Seek Again, Kaigun, Grand Arch, and Sayaad.

Obviously, winner of the Shoemaker Mile in June, was fifth in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Mile and third in the 2012 edition when trained by the now-retired Mike Mitchell. Now conditioned by former Mitchell assistant Phil D'Amato, Obviously breezed a sharp five furlongs on the Santa Anita turf Oct. 25 in :58 2/5 seconds, best of 10 at the distance. He will break from post 2 under regular rider Joe Talamo.

"We just wanted a little sharpener to get him on his toes, and that did the trick," D'Amato said of the 6-year-old gelding's final pre-race move. "I like our post position; glad we did not draw the rail. Anything two to eight, I was telling the owners, I'd be happy with. The two hole will be the shortest way to the rail, and we're golden."

Seek Again missed beating six-time Eclipse Award-winner Wise Dan by a head in the May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, but must rebound from a sixth in the Oct. 4 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. Grand Arch was second by a length to Wise Dan in the Shadwell, while Kaigun came within three-quarters of a length to him earlier in the season in the Maker's 46 Mile. Sayaad was third in the Shadwell last time out.

Eddie Read Handicap winner Tom's Tribute, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 Oct. 26 on the Santa Anita lawn, 3-year-old Secretariat Stakes runner-up Tourist, and Grade 2 winners Summer Front, Big Bane Theory, and Mr. Commons (on the also-eligible list) complete the lineup of those intending to start in the Mile. One other runner of interest, Godolphin's Grade 1-winning mare Better Lucky, is the only female whose connections listed the Mile as first preference.

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