Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Bal a Bali seeks Breeders’ Cup berth
ARCADIA, Calif. – Bal a Bali won the Triple Crown in Brazil, overcame a scary bout with laminitis, and became a Grade 1 winner in the United States this year.
Bal a Bali, 7, has never started in a Breeders’ Cup race. There is hope that this might be the year.
In March, Bal a Bali won his most prestigious race in the United States, the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita, and on Saturday, he runs on turf here in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile. The winner receives a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 4.
“He’s always been good enough to make it,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “With what we’ve been through, we’re appreciative of what he’s done.”
Bal a Bali is part of an excellent field of seven for the Shoemaker Mile that includes six graded stakes winners. What a View and Heart to Heart will be dangerous from the front. Bolo and Free Rose are best as stalkers, while Bal a Bali, Farhaan and Gangster are more likely to race from far off the pace.
KEY CONTENDERS
Bal a Bali, by Put It Back Last 3 Beyers: 93-103-95
◗ The Kilroe Mile was one of Bal a Bali’s best performances in his 24-race career, which includes 14 wins. Bal a Bali, owned by Calumet Farm, closed from third in a field of six to win by a head in his first start since last June. He joined Mandella’s stable in the winter of 2014-15 following a brilliant career in Brazil and after surviving laminitis.
◗ In the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 6, Bal a Bali finished fifth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by the winner, Divisidero.
“He was kind of stuck behind a slow pace, and I think it frustrated him,” Mandella said. “He didn’t run badly. He didn’t give us the same kick.”
◗ On Saturday, Mike Smith will ride Bal a Bali for the first time, replacing Javier Castellano, who was aboard for the Kilroe Mile and Turf Classic.
Heart to Heart, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 101-100-101
◗ Heart to Heart drew the rail, which could force jockey Julien Leparoux to urge the 6-year-old horse to the front. What a View, who won the 2016 Kilroe Mile and the Crystal Water Stakes for Californiabred turf milers on May 20, is expected to set the pace. Trainer Brian Lynch would like to see Heart to Heart running close to the lead without exerting too much energy.
◗ Heart to Heart was second by a neck in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile on turf at Keeneland on April 14. He stalked the pace and led in the stretch before losing to American Patriot.
“Our guy relaxed really nice,” Lynch said. “I hope he does the same.”
Farhaan, by Jazil Last 3 Beyers: 99-90-78
◗ Claimed for $40,000 at Saratoga last August, Farhaan won the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf April 29 for his first stakes win in his 31st start. The Shoemaker Mile will be Farhaan’s first start in a Grade 1 race.
“He trains as good as any grass horse I’ve had,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He’s an 8-year-old, and he’s been taken good care of along the way.”
◗ A quick pace from What a View and Heart to Heart would greatly help Farhaan, who will
be ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat.
“I think he’s going to be sitting there and can come with his run,” D’Amato said. “I think he can be more tactical if need be. There are a couple of speed horses in there, and Flavien can sit back and time that move.”
◗ Farhaan won the Thunder Road by three-quarters of a length over Perfectly Majestic, who is not part of the Shoemaker field. Bolo finished third, beaten two lengths, as the favorite. Bolo won the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes in February and was later third in the Kilroe Mile but a quiet ninth in the Maker’s 46 Mile.