Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 2007

2007 welcomes the inaugural running of the Dirt Mile to the Breeders' Cup. It's fitting that the Breeders' Cup has added a race at a distance that has often been seen as important to Breeders. Fast milers are coveted for their ability to impart both speed and stamina into their progeny (or possibly because they complement a wider array of mares), so a showcase for this speciality is welcome. The Turf Mile, while an important race in it's own right, doesn't have the same value to breeders as it is contested on the Turf, and American breeding is geared towards the Dirt.

As this is the first year for a dirt mile there is no historical analysis to consider. There are some items worth thinking about, though.

• The Graded Stakes committee did not grade this race. This means that for Breeding purposes, this race has less meaning than other, more important races.
• The race is being run with the the other two new races on Friday afternoon.
• The purse is $1M, less than the established races. The winners' share is $540,000
• Third place in the Classic is worth almost as much ($500,000) as first place in the Mile.
• Second place in the Sprint is worth almost as much ($400,000) as first place in the Mile.

These facts make this race less attractive than either the Sprint or the Classic to horsemen that could point a horse to one or the other. less talented field to compete.

What to Look For

While the Sprint and the Classic are richer and carry more residual breeding value, for many horsemen the Dirt Mile will be the best race. Look for:

• Well regarded also-rans from the 3 year old Classics (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes)
• Grade 2 and Grade 3 sprinters that have shown at 7 furlongs
• Older Handicap horses that have proven 8 or 9 furlongs (1 mile to 1 1/8 mile)