12 grass mile fields with six Class 1 winners

A star-studded group of graded stakes winners have registered for the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1T) on October 8 at 7pm Keenelandled by the first place finishers Churchill Downs Edition of the Arlington Million (G1T)—Santin And Sleek as a strait .

The Turf Mile is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1T) held November 5 at Keeneland. Wise Dan in 2012 and Steinlen in 1989 are two Turf Mile winners who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Godolphin's homebred Santin and Cannon Thoroughbreds' Sleek Like Strait are among six Grade/Group 1 winners taking part in the Turf Mile.

Santin, a 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor, has two Class 1 wins so far this year. Two races before the Arlington Million, he won the Aged Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill on May 7. Just before the Arlington Million, he placed sixth in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1), where he had to win a shoe repaired in the saddle paddock and also had to pass his first test at 1 1/4 miles. The Manhattan's distance may have been a problem, but other things conspired against the colt, such as a wide slip and jockey Tyler Gaffalione having the whip knocked out of his hands on the stretch.

Trainer Brendan Walsh said the Turf Mile appears to be an ideal setting as Santin has already won at Keeneland and twice in the mile.

“(The Turf Mile) really seems like the obvious next step for him, especially with the Breeders' Cup being at Keeneland this year,” he said. “It makes sense to try out this spot and see how it works. If so, then we will consider moving on to the Breeders’ Cup, and if not, then not.”

Walsh added that his stallion will be more than competitive against a mighty field with two Grade 1 wins this year.

“Santin hasn’t done anything wrong all year and he has all the qualities a good miler needs,” he said. “It's a deep field, and you could advocate for half a dozen of them and still not pick the right one. But Santin fits in there really well and if he gets a good run on Saturday, he'll be right there in the end.”

Gaffalione, who has been on board Santin all year, has the chance and will be eliminated in position 7.

Photo: Benoit Photo

Sleek Like Strait wins the 2021 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Sleek Like Strait made his first and only start at Keeneland in April when he finished a close third in the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T). in the mass who was a nose's length behind Shirls Speight on the wire. The 5 year ancient son of Midnight sounds trained by Michael McCarthy, has won or placed in his last 13 starts – all in graded stakes – but he has not been in the winner's circle since May 31, 2021 in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T). Santa Anita Park. He has suffered a number of close finishes, suffering narrow losses in six of his last ten placing appearances.

John Velazquez has the edge on Sleek Like Strait, who he rode in the Arlington Million, and will break from post 2.

Other Class 1 winners that could provide plenty of competition include: Casa Creed who comes into the race with back-to-back wins in the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) and the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T); Classic dam who won the Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T) in July; Order of Australia who scored a stunning 73-1 in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland; And, Ivar who won the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1T) at Keeneland in 2020 and enters this year's Turf Mile with a second place finish in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T).