Falbrav's Connections Opt for Breeders' Cup Turf

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The owners of multiple group I winner Falbrav have opted for the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) rather than the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) for the Italian champion's next start.

According to Eugenio Colombo, representing co-owner Luciano Salice, the 5-year-old son of Fairy King -- Gift of the Night (by Slewpy) will start in the 1 1/2-mile Turf over the 1 1/4-mile Classic. The Turf will be run over the Santa Anita grass and the Classic will be contested over the main dirt track.

Trainer Luca Cumani wanted to give Falbrav a shot at the Classic. Colombo said to have run the horse in the Classic would have been a sporting gesture, but that the connections decided on the surface over which Falbrav has the most success. Colombo said Teruya Yoshida, the Japanese horse breeder, did not have a race preference and the decision was left up to Salice, who operates under the name Scuderia Rencati.

The winner of 12 of 24 lifetime starts with equivalent earnings in excess of $4.2-million, Falbrav was champion older male in Italy in 2002. This year, the horse has been been campaigned in England, Ireland, and France, with four group I victories to his credit.

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