Keeneland: America and Europe Collide in High-Voltage Turf Mile

Diego Velázquez, Woodshauna and Jonquil ship in from Europe to take on the likes of Howard Wolowitz and Program Trading, with a direct berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile on the line

Diego Velazquez crosses the Atlantic with major claims / FRANCE GALOP

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- The Turf Mile S. (G1T, 1600m, $1,250,000), to be run Saturday at Keeneland, shapes up as one of the highlights of the American fall season, pitting three top European invaders against a formidable U.S. lineup. In addition to the prestige and purse, the race offers an automatic berth into the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar through the “Win and You’re In” program.

Flying the European flag is Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel), the Aidan O’Brien trainee who broke through at the highest level last out in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. With Frankie Dettori taking the call, the 4-year-old colt will now look to confirm his top-class credentials on American soil.

France’s Woodshauna (Fr) (Wooded), conditioned by Francis-Henri Graffard, adds further intrigue. Winner of the G1 Prix Jean Prat, he stretches to the mile for the first time, having most recently run third against elders in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. Completing the European team is Jonquil (GB) (Frankel), campaigned by Juddmonte for trainer Andrew Balding, who comes off a sharp score in the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

The U.S. defense is equally strong. Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), racing for Gold Square, will be a major attraction following his solid runner-up effort in the G2 Kentucky Turf Sprint. “I always thought he’d improve going longer,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said. “The Keeneland mile should suit him perfectly.”

Another heavy hitter is Program Trading (Ire) (Lope de Vega), who returned from a year-plus layoff to finish second in the L Bernard Baruch S. and now looks to reestablish himself for Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown, with Flavien Prat aboard.

Depth abounds among the rest: Epic Ride (Blame), reinvented as a dangerous miler since being gelded and victorious in the G3 Mint Millions; Rhetorical (Not This Time), riding a three-race winning streak in New York; and Brilliant Berti (Noble Mission), winner of last fall’s G3 Bryan Station S. over this course. Others to watch include Beach Gold (Omaha Beach), Mercante (Gun Runner), and the progressive Quatrocento (War Front), who has wired back-to-back allowance fields.

With international star power and domestic standouts colliding, the Keeneland Turf Mile promises a true transatlantic showdown—with a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup on the line.