Jockey Joe Talamo has gained the mount on Lewis Michael, one of the leading contenders in the inaugural running of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, which takes place Oct. 26 at Monmouth Park.
Agent Ronnie Ebanks confirmed that Talamo, a 17-year-old Louisiana native now based in Southern California, would handle the riding chores on Lewis Michael, who is coming off a fourth-place finish in Oak Tree's Goodwood Breeders' Cup (gr. I) over the Cushion Track surface at Santa Anita. The Dirt Mile is contested at one mile and seventy yards.
Lewis Michael races for the Illinois connection of owner/breeder Frank Calabrese and trainer Wayne Catalano. The 4-year colt by Rahy--Justenuffheart (by Broad Brush) won Arlington Park's Washington Park Handicap (gr. II) on Polytrack July 28 by nearly five lengths in his start prior to the Goodwood. He had been ridden in both races by E.T. Baird.
"We think Lewis Michael is very, very live for this race," Ebanks said. "He probably should have won the Goodwood, but he had to chase a :22 opening quarter and got a little tired after leading in the stretch. We think he'll do much better here."
Talamo also rides undefeated Nashoba's Key in the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).
Joe Talamo
