Ontario-bred GAS ME UP, who was the lone also-eligible for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on November 1 at Del Mar, has officially drawn into the field. Almendares (GB) has been withdrawn from the one-mile turf race, allowing the Kevin Attard-trained gelding to become one of 14 in the field. Another entrant, Bucanero Fuerte, has first preference in the Turf Sprint and could also be withdrawn.
Gas Me Up, who is owned by Americans Exline-Border Racing Stable, Aaron Kennedy, Tom Zwiesler and BC-born Michael Jawl, won the King Edward Stakes (G2) at Woodbine, a one-turn, one-mile grass race, over winner Wyoming Bill. Gas Me Up then tried the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile and he raced evenly behind the pace and landed third behind Notable Speech and My Boy Prince. Notable Speech is among the pre-entries for the Mile and post positions will be drawn Monday.
Gas Me Up, bred by Sam-Son Farms, was a winner for trainer Peter Eurton in 2022 at Del Mar in a maiden turf race at one mile. The gelding missed all of 2023 and only raced once in 2024, winning a sprint at Woodbine. This year, he has strung four good efforts together. No Canadian-bred has ever won the Mile.
Canadian breeders Ivan and Colleen Dalos of Tall Oaks Farm will be cheering on their Kentucky-bred KOPION (who races for Spendthrift Farm) in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) against the boys. Trainer Richard Mandella announced on Saturday that Kopion (Omaho Beach – Galloping Ami by Victory Gallop) would go in the Sprint rather than the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Kopion has won five of nine races including the Grade 1 Distaff at Churchill Downs and Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita. From the Sovereign Award-winning Canadian-bred mare Galloping Ami, Kopion is a fourth generation Dalos-bred.
MISSION OF JOY, the only other Ontario-bred in the 14 Cup races aside from Gas Me Up, is in the Filly & Mare Turf for owners RyZan Sun Racing LLC and Madaket Stable and trainer Phil D’Amato. The Kitten’s Joy mare was also bred by Sam-Son Farms and she has won six of 21 races including the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita in her last start.
CLICQUOT, a grey three-year-old filly , is co-owned by the Canadian ownership group X-Men Racing in partnership with SF Bloodstock and Madaket Stables LLC. Clicquot won the Grade 1 Cotillion in her most recent start and has won four of five starts for trainer Brendan Walsh.
Twelve three-year-old fillies have won the Distaff from 41 editions
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