Itsmyluckyday, Private Zone Top List of Probables for Cigar Mile
A determined Private Zone (inside) holds off Dads Caps to win his second Vosburgh.
Fields are taking shape for next week's star-studded action, which features six graded stakes worth $2.3 million and culminates with the centerpiece of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack - the Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on November 29.
The prestigious one-mile dirt race is likely to attract a diverse group of horses from all over the country, led by California invaders Secret Circle and last year's runner-up, Private Zone.
Secret Circle is without a win in 2014, but is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race he won last year. The Bob Baffert trainee has not raced beyond six furlongs since he placed second in the 2012 edition of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
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Trained by Alfredo Velazquez for Good Friends Stable, Private Zone most recently finished third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, 1 ¼ lengths behind Secret Circle. The son of Macho Uno also used the Sprint as a stepping stone to the Cigar Mile last year, when he finished second after setting the early pace at odds of 32-1.
The fourth-place finisher from the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Bourbon Courage, is also likely to contest the Cigar Mile. Bourbon Courage finished with a flourish in the Sprint, making up 10 lengths in the stretch to be beaten only two lengths on the line for trainer Kellyn Gorder and Bourbon Lane Stable.
Transparent, who set a track record at 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park in his latest outing, is probable for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Cigar Mile wasn't initially in the plans for the Godolphin color-bearer, but his last race was so impressive he earned a spot in the race, according to McLaughlin.
Itsmyluckyday, winner of the Grade 1 Woodward, is likely for trainer Eddie Plesa and Trilogy Stable. The son of Lawyer Ron is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap as the odds-on favorite.
Florida-shipper Atreides, West Coast-based Regally Ready, and Kelso winner Vyjack are also probable for the race.
