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The history of the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on Saturday is more toward the locals.
That said the brave mare Goldikova took out the race three times in a row. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup Mile (1609m) at Churchill Downs on Saturday could well go in the same direction.
2018 BREEDERS’ CUP MILE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Breeders’ Cup Mile is a Grade 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and up at Churchill Downs conducted by the Breeders’ Cup Limited.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile is run over a mile (1609m) on turf. It was first run in 1984 and won by Royal Heroine.
The concept of the Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated in 1984. It was an idea based around being a so-called World Championships and is moved around leading American race tracks on a rotational basis.
The Breeders’ Cup has been held at many tracks since its inception in 1984. Hollywood Park, Aqueduct, Santa Anita Park, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, Woodbine, Arlington Park, Lone Star Park, Monmouth Park, Keeneland and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have all held the meeting.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile, like the other international features, is designed to see mainly the Europeans take on the locals. The issue of running on the anti-bleeding medication Lasix is always a factor.
The race record is held by Tourist at Santa Anita Park at 1:31.71.
Top American mare Tepin won this race in 2015 then had a top next American campaign before heading to Royal Ascot where she won the Queen Anne Stakes.
Two of the best milers in the world have five wins between them. Wise Dan was a sensational gelding who won 17 of 22 starts. His two wins are only topped by the grand French mare Goldikova won the race for three consecutive years starting at 2008.
Two jockeys have won the race on three occasions – Olivier Peslier and John Velazquez.
Freddy Head has most wins at three all coming via Goldikova.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile is worth US$2m in 2018.
Some famous Breeders’ Cup Mile winners include Last Tycoon (1986), Miesque (1987/1988), Royal Academy (1990), Lure (1992/1933), Barathea (1994), Da Hoss (1996/1998), Spinning World (1997), War Chant (2000), Artie Schiller (2005), Goldikova (2008/2009/2010), Wise Dan (2012/2013), Karakontie (2014) and Tepin (2015).
The 2017 Breeders’ Cup Mile was won by World Approval from Lancaster Bomber and Blackjackcat.
