Millennium Dragon Out of Firecracker but Field Ready to Pop

Darley Stable's Millennium Dragon, runner-up in the Manhattan (gr. IT) and Dixie (gr. IIT) Handicaps, is apparently out of consideration for Saturday's $250,000 Firecracker Breeders' Cup (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained son of Mark of Esteem had been scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs following a flight from New York, but his reservation was cancelled, according to a release from Churchill Downs.

Another New York-based horse, Quantum Merit, is scheduled to compete in the mile race and will travel by van from Belmont Park. The New York bred son of Hansel is trained by Del Carroll II, who won last year's Firecracker Breeders' Cup with Tap The Admiral.

Quantum Merit has won five of his last six races -- four in New York-bred stakes competition and one in open allowance company. He has won seven of 17 career starts.

Charles E. Fipke's Perfect Soul, winner of the Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IIT) at Keeneland, is expected to arrive at Churchill Downs Thursday for a run in the Firecracker Breeders' Cup. The Irish-bred son of Sadler's Wells, who is trained by Roger Attfield, has not run since a 10th-place finish over "yielding" turf in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr.IT) on Kentucky Derby Day.

Likely starters in the Firecracker Breeders' Cup also include: Senor Swinger; Royal Spy; Majestic Thief; Everything to Gain; Great Bloom; Mr. Krisley; and Minds Locked.