THE pre-entries for the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs were revealed on Wednesday afternoon. The full list is below.
Roaring Lion is among the pre-entries for the Classic on dirt. The colt's success on Champions Day came over a mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. But his three previous Group 1 wins were over 10 furlongs, and that is why he will be running in the Classic rather than in the Mile – or the Turf over a mile and a half.
“It’s extremely game and sporting of the owners (Qatar Racing Ltd) of Roaring Lion to put him in the Classic,” said trainer John Gosden.
“We are all perfectly aware that racing on the dirt is one thing. But as I’ve found down the years, the problem is the kickback – not the surface. We will see how we get on in that department.
“He is a mile-and-a-quarter horse. I thought he was incredibly brave the other day, because at no stage was he on the bridle.
"He has had a tough, long year. I think this enters the ‘let’s have a look at this at the end of the year’ rather than it was planned from the summer onwards.
“He has done everything right. He is a tough horse. It’s a massive challenge to race on the dirt. I don’t need to tell you that we don’t want a sloppy track. A sloppy track is a real acquired taste – and usually the jockeys with the cleanest silks win, which tells you something.
“A mile and a quarter is his trip, and we are going where we are going. It’s unknown waters, but I think it is very brave and very bold of them.
“This horse has a great constitution. He has got bigger and stronger from training and racing hard.
“He has been good since Saturday, and playful at home. He is probably not expecting to get on an aeroplane – but he is tough enough for it.”
The final declarations for all Breeders' Cup races is next Monday.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd
JUVENILE TURF SPRINT. 5f 110yds. $1 million.
Bulletin, Todd Pletcher (first preference)
Its Gonna Hurt, Brian Koriner
Pocket Dynamo, Robert Cowell
Queen of Bermuda (IRE), William John Haggas
Sergei Prokofiev, Aidan O’Brien
Shang Shang Shang, Wesley Ward
So Perfect, Aidan O’Brien (first preference)
Soldier’s Call (GB), Archie Watson
Stillwater Cove, Wesley Ward
Strike Silver, Mark Casse
Uncle Benny, Jason Servis (second preference)
Well Done Fox (GB), Richard Hannon
Reserves in order of preference
Chelsea Cloisters, Wesley Ward
Moonlight Romance, Wesley Ward
Big Drink of Water, Larry Rivelli
Comedy (IRE), Karl Burke
Van Beethoven, Aidan O’Brien
Legends of War, John Gosden
Stellar Agent, Jorge Abreu (second preference)
Whooping Jay, Doug O’Neill
Mae Never No (IRE), Wesley Ward
Backtohisroots, John Terranova
Never No More (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Tracksmith, Joe Sharp (second preference)
Dragic, Wesley Ward
Order and Law, Louis Linder Jr. (second preference)
Sovereign Impact, William Denzik Jr.
All About It, George Weaver
JUVENILE FILLIES TURF 1m. $1 million.
Belle Laura, Norm Casse
Concrete Rose, George Arnold
East (GB), Kevin Ryan
Hermosa (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Just Wonderful, Aidan O’Brien
La Pelosa (IRE), Charlie Appleby
Lily’s Candel (FR), Fabrice Vermeulen
My Gal Betty, Roger Attfield
Newspaperofrecord (IRE), Chad Brown
Pakhet, Todd Pletcher
So Perfect, Aidan O’Brien (second preference)
Summering, Thomas Proctor
The Mackem Bullet (IRE), Brian Ellison
Varenka, Graham Motion
Reserves in order of preference
Stellar Agent, Jorge Abreu (first preference)
Lady Prancealot (IRE), Richard Baltas
Pivottina (FR), Graham Motion
Princesa Carolina, Kenny McPeek
Winning Envelope, Chris Block
JUVENILE FILLIES 1m 110yds. Dirt. $2 million.
Baby Nina, Anthony Quartarolo
Bellafina, Simon Callaghan
Cassies Dreamer, Barclay Tagg
Cookie Dough, Stanley Gold
Jaywalk, John Servis
Reflect, Keith Desormeaux
Restless Rider, Kenny McPeek
Serengeti Empress, Tom Amoss
Sippican Harbor, Gary Contessa
Splashy Kisses, Doug O’Neill
Vibrance, Michael McCarthy
JUVENILE TURF 1m $1 million.
Anthony Van Dyck (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Arthur Kitt (GB), Tom Dascombe
Broome (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Current, Todd Pletcher
Forty Under, Jeremiah Englehart
Henley’s Joy, Mike Maker
King of Speed, Jeffrey Bonde
Line of Duty (IRE), Charlie Appleby
Marie’s Diamond (IRE), Mark Steven Johnston
Opry, Todd Pletcher
Somelikeithotbrown, Mike Maker
The Black Album (FR), Jane Soubagne
Uncle Benny, Jason Servis (first preference)
War of Will, Mark Casse
Reserves in order of preference
Much Better, Bob Baffert
Louder Than Bombs, David Fawkes
Bulletin, Todd Pletcher (second preference)
Tracksmith, Joe Sharp (first preference)
Order and Law, Louis Linder Jr. (first preference)
Flying Scotsman, Jerry Hollendorfer
Empire of War, Todd Pletcher
Pico Entry, Dale Romans
JUVENILE. 1m 110yds Dirt. $2 million.
Code Of Honor, Shug McGaughey
Complexity, Chad Brown
Dueling, Jerry Hollendorfer
Game Winner, Bob Baffert
Gunmetal Gray, Jerry Hollendorfer
Knicks Go, Ben Colebrook
Mind Control, Gregory Sacco
Mr. Money, Bret Calhoun
Signalman, Kenny McPeek
Standard Deviation, Chad Brown
Tight Ten, Steve Asmussen
Topper T, Bill Mott
Trophy Chaser, Juan Carlos Avila
Well Defined, Kathleen O’Connell
Reserve
Derby Date, D. Wayne Lukas
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd
FILLY & MARE SPRINT 7f Dirt. $1 million.
Anonymity, Richard Mandella
Chalon, Arnaud Delacour
Dream Tree, Bob Baffert
Finley’sluckycharm, Bret Calhoun
Golden Mischief, Brad Cox
Highway Star, Rodrigo Ubillo
Kirby’s Penny, Wesley Ward
Marley’s Freedom, Bob Baffert
Mia Mischief, Steve Asmussen
Miss Sunset, Jeffrey Bonde
Selcourt, John Sadler
Shamrock Rose, Mark Casse
Skye Diamonds, William Spawr
Stormy Embrace, Kathleen O’Connell
Reserves in order of preference
Mopotism, Doug O’Neill (second preference)
Happy Like a Fool, Wesley Ward (second preference)
Dream Pauline, Kiaran McLaughlin
Bixby Lou, Tracey Glover
TURF SPRINT 5f 110yds. $1 million.
Bucchero, Tim Glyshaw
Chanteline, Steve Asmussen
Conquest Tsunami, Peter Miller
Disco Partner, Christophe Clement
Havana Grey (GB), Karl Burke
Hembree, Mike Maker (first preference)
Lost Treasure (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Rainbow Heir, Jason Servis
Richard’s Boy, Peter Miller
Ruby Notion, Darrin Miller
Stormy Liberal, Peter Miller
Vision Perfect, Jason Servis
Will Call, Brad Cox
World of Trouble, Jason Servis
Reserves in order of preference
Pay Any Price, Georgina Baxter
Extravagant Kid, Brendan Walsh
Blind Ambition, Todd Pletcher
El Astronaute (IRE), John Quinn
Insta Erma, Richard Baltas
B Squared, Doug O’Neill (first preference)
DIRT MILE 1m Dirt. $1 million.
Awesome Slew, Mark Casse
Bravazo, D. Wayne Lukas (first preference)
Catalina Cruiser, John Sadler
City of Light, Michael McCarthy (first preference)
Firenze Fire, Jason Servis (first preference)
Giant Expectations, Peter Eurton
Isotherm, Philip D’Amato
Limousine Liberal, Ben Colebrook (second preference)
Lone Sailor, Tom Amoss (second preference)
Promises Fulfilled, Dale Romans (second preference)
Seeking the Soul, Dallas Stewart (second preference)
Seven Trumpets, Dale Romans (first preference)
Warrior’s Club, D. Wayne Lukas (second preference)
Whitmore, Ron Moquett (second preference)
Reserves in order of preference
Trigger Warning, Michael Rone
Dak Attack, Dale Romans
FILLY & MARE TURF. 1m 3f. $2 million.
A Raving Beauty (GER), Chad Brown (first preference)
Athena (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Eziyra (IRE), Dermot Weld
Fourstar Crook, Chad Brown
Magic Wand (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Magical (IRE), Aidan O’Brien (second preference)
Mom’s On Strike, Joe Sharp
Paved, Michael McCarthy
Princess Yaiza (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
Santa Monica (GB), Chad Brown
Sistercharlie (IRE), Chad Brown
Smart Choice (ARG), Todd Pletcher
Thais (FR), Chad Brown
Wild Illusion (GB), Charlie Appleby
Reserve
Furiously Kissed, Anthony Quartarolo (first preference)
SPRINT 6f. $2 million.
Always Sunshine, Edward Allard
Distinctive B, Peter Miller
Firenze Fire, Jason Servis (second preference)
Happy Like a Fool, Wesley Ward (first preference)
Imperial Hint, Luis Carvajal Jr.
Limousine Liberal, Ben Colebrook (first preference)
Mind Your Biscuits, Chad Summers (second preference)
Mr. Crow, Ben Colebrook
Promises Fulfilled, Dale Romans (first preference)
Roy H, Peter Miller
Seven Trumpets, Dale Romans (second preference)
Warrior’s Club, D. Wayne Lukas (first preference)
Whitmore, Ron Moquett (first preference)
X Y Jet, Jorge Navarro
Reserves in order of preference
B Squared, Doug O’Neill (second preference)
MILE 1m. $2 million.
A Raving Beauty (GER), Chad Brown (second preference)
Analyze It, Chad Brown
Catapult, John Sadler
Expert Eye (GB), Sir Michael Stoute
Gustav Klimt (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Happily (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Hunt (IRE), Philip D’Amato
I Can Fly (GB), Aidan O’Brien
Lightning Spear (GB), David Simcock
Next Shares, Richard Baltas
One Master (GB), William John Haggas
Oscar Performance, Brian Lynch
Polydream (IRE), Freddy Head
Sharp Samurai, Mark Glatt
Reserves in order of preference
Mustashry (GB), Sir Michael Stoute
Almanaar (GB), Chad Brown
Divisidero, Kerry Rubley
Clemmie (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Qurbaan, Kiaran McLaughlin
Great Wide Open (IRE), Conor Murphy
Hembree, Mike Maker (second preference)
DISTAFF 1m 110yds. Dirt. $2 million.
Abel Tasman, Bob Baffert
Blue Prize (ARG), Ignacio Correas
Champagne Problems, Ian Wilkes
Fuhriously Kissed, Anthony Quartarolo (second preference)
La Force (GER), Patrick Gallagher
Midnight Bisou, Steve Asmussen
Monomoy Girl, Brad Cox
Mopotism, Doug O’Neill (first preference)
Vale Dori (ARG), Bob Baffert
Verve’s Tale, Barclay Tagg
Wonder Gadot, Mark Casse
Wow Cat (CHI), Chad Brown
TURF 1m 4f. $4 million.
Arklow, Brad Cox
Channel Maker, Bill Mott
Crystal Ocean (GB), Sir Michael Stoute
Enable (GB), John Gosden
Glorious Empire (IRE), James Lawrence II
Hi Happy (ARG), Todd Pletcher
Hunting Horn (IRE), Aidan O’Brien
Magical (IRE), Aidan O’Brien (first preference)
Quarteto de Cordas (BRZ), Ian Wilkes
Roaring Lion, John Gosden (second preference)
Robert Bruce (CHI), Chad Brown
Sadler’s Joy, Thomas Albertrani
Talismanic, Andre Fabre
Waldgeist, Andre Fabre
Reserve
Liam The Charmer, Michael McCarthy
CLASSIC 1m 2f Dirt. $6 million.
Accelerate, John Sadler
Axelrod, Michael McCarthy
Catholic Boy, Jonathan Thomas
City of Light, Michael McCarthy (second preference)
Discreet Lover, Uriah St. Lewis
Lone Sailor, Tom Amoss (first preference)
McKinzie, Bob Baffert
Mendelssohn, Aidan O’Brien
Mind Your Biscuits, Chad Summers (first preference)
Pavel, Doug O’Neill
Roaring Lion, John Gosden (first preference)
Thunder Snow (IRE), Saeed bin Suroor
West Coast, Bob Baffert
Yoshida (JPN), Bill Mott
Reserves in order of preference
Bravazo, D. Wayne Lukas (second preference)
Gunnevera, Antonio Sano
Seeking the Soul, Dallas Stewart (first preference)
Collected, Bob Baffert
Toast Of New York, Jamie Osborne
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