Nineteen horses were pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), Oct 17, headed by Europe's probable champion miler, Godolphin's Noverre, and two California runners, Sheikh Maktoum's Irish Prize and David Milch's Val Royal.Mile Weekly Report--10/17/2001
Top European contender for the Mile (gr. IT), Banks Hill, was pre-entered in the race only as a second preference along with fancied American runner Hap, but a surprise nominee from Sir Michael Stoute's Newmarket yard, Sheikh Maktoum's No Excuse Needed, was among the pre-entries on Monday.Mile Weekly Report--10/9/2001
Hap's 1 1/2-length victory in Sunday's $500,000 Shadwell Keeneland Turf Mile H. (gr. IIT), coming from third in the field of nine under Jerry Bailey, was his fourth graded stakes win of the year and appeared to set him up perfectly for the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT). Bill Mott, who trains the son of Theatrical for the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, wasn't so sure.
Mile Weekly Report--10/2/2001
Results at Woodbine and Belmont over the weekend--Lailani winning the Flower Bowl Invitational (gr. IT), European-trained runners1-2-3 in both the E. P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT) and Canadian International (Can-IT)--have put a smile on European faces.Mile Weekly Report--9/25/2001
American-trained horses are drawing clear in the Breeders' Cup Mile. With victory in four of the last five runnings, the home team holds a 10-7 advantage, and Europe doesn't appear to be offering up any Miesques or Spinning Worlds at Belmont Park this year to redress the balance.