West Coast Report: Designed For Luck Readies for Breeders' Cup

Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) winner Designed For Luck emerged from Sunday's race in good order, trainer Vladimir Cerin said, and later this week will begin preparations for his next start in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).

"He's fine today," Cerin said. "As of now, we're planning on going (to the Breeders' Cup)."

David and Holly Wilson's Designed For Luck, who spent more than 16 months on the shelf battling a hock injury, won his first graded stakes of the year in the Oak Tree Mile, but previously won the Ascot Handicap (gr. IIIT) in 2000. He also finished first in the 2000 Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) before being disqualified and placed fifth for causing interference.

The 6-year-old gelding, who won the Live the Dream Handicap at Del Mar previous to Sunday's race, has only been off the board once in 10 tries at a mile, including five victories. With Sunday's score he's virtually assured a spot in the Breeders' Cup starting gate.

Fourteen-length Norfolk Stakes (gr. II) winner Ruler's Court was also doing well Monday morning, a day after earning his first black-type victory in stakes-record time, according to trainer Eoin Harty. Though the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) is the logical next step, no official decision has been made for the son of Doneraile Court.

"He came back in great shape," Harty said. "But I don't know about the Breeders' Cup just yet. That decision is up to His Highness (owner Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum). I am totally out of that decision."

James McIngvale's beaten favorites Consecrate and Odds On, fifth and eased in the nine-runner field, respectively, as well as Mike Pegram's Coldntight, who was eighth, will not go on to the Breeders' Cup, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Each of the three emerged from the race with sore shins. Baffert estimated a six-week recovery for each.

Though Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. I) hero Avanzado will likely skip the Breeders' Cup Sprint, fifth-place finisher Zavata will head to Racing's Championship Day, trainer Patrick Biancone said.

"He had no room to run," Biancone said. "He had nowhere to go. He's doing OK today and will go on to the Breeders' Cup."

A decision on the Breeders' Cup Status for Ancient Title runner-up Captain Squire won't come for the "next few days" according to trainer Jeff Mullins.

"We're not in any hurry and the race is still a couple weeks away," Mullins said.