Miles D to Travers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–Miles D (Curlin) proved himself to be graded stakes-worthy in the Curlin S. and trainer Chad Brown is aiming for Saratoga's biggest prize, the GI Runhappy Travers on Aug. 28.

“We're headed to that race,” Brown said. “We'll see how he works leading up to it, but I'm planning on taking a shot in that race.”

Brown said that Miles D, co-owned by Peter Brant and Robert LaPenta, will return to the worktab at Saratoga this weekend, probably on Saturday morning.

Miles D was a solid second to Dynamic One (Union Rags) in the 1 1/8 miles Curlin, the third start of his career and first try in stakes company. Under Joel Rosario, he was reserved early, cruised into contention and to the lead in the stretch, but could not handle Dynamic One's last-to-first move. Dynamic One, making his first start for Todd Pletcher since running 18th in the GI Kentucky Derby,  prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths. Miles D was seven lengths in front of the 6-5 favorite First Captain.

“That is a race that when he went in, I expected him to win. The horse was training that good,” Brown said. “I looked at the field, and said, 'there are some more experienced horses in here,' but I thought he could handle that group. He ran super. He just got beat by a horse that has some back class. A nice horse. Todd has brought a lot of them over. The winner has been through the Triple Crown. There is no disgrace getting beat by a horse like that. You can see (Miles D) ran to the wire. Keep going to the Travers.”

Brant and LaPenta acquired Miles D as a yearling for $470,000 at Keeneland September 2019. He is the first foal out of the unraced Sound the Trumpets (Bernardini) from one of the Phipps Stable's exceptional female families. Sound of Trumpets's third dam is 1988 Broodmare of the Year Grecian Banner (Hoist the Flag), who produced the unbeaten Hall of Famer Personal Ensign (Private Account) and her full brother GI winner Personal Flag. As the daughter of Personal Ensign's daughter, My Flag (Easy Goer), a four-time Grade I winner, she is a half-sister to champion Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat).

Hill 'n Dale purchased Sound of Trumpets for $280,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and sold her in foal to Curlin a year later to River Bend Farm for $675,000.

Brown prepped Miles D for his 2-year-old debut last year. He did not make it to the races until Oct. 11 at Belmont Park and ended up fourth in a seven-furlong test and was not seen again for eight months.

“I always thought he was our best prospect for 3-year-old dirt horse for the next year,” Brown said. “He got hurt in his maiden race last year and it took a long time to get him back. He's doing really good. He's got some catch-up to do.”

Miles D broke his maiden in a one-turn mile at Belmont Park on June 12. Brown sent him directly to the Curlin, run on July 30, the day before the GII Jim Dandy, the traditional local prep for the Travers. Essential Quality (Tapit), the GI Belmont Stakes winner, who was the 2-year-old male champion in 2020, won the Jim Dandy and is heading to the Travers.

“Obviously, there is one horse that stands out in there,” Brown said, without naming Essential Quality, “that if he runs anywhere near close to one of his best races everyone is running for second.  It's Saratoga, so anything can happen. I'm going to head toward the race and see how he develops. Hopefully this horse can give a good account of himself.”

Though Miles D did not give him the victory he expected, Brown said the Curlin was an important step.

“He definitely got some valuable experience for a lightly-raced horse,” Brown said. “Remember,  it was his first time going two turns. It's an education. He got a little bit more fitness doing that. So I think we're set up here to run his best race, the next one, but if it's good enough or not remains to be seen. He's going to have to really jump forward in his numbers to win a race like that. But I want to give him a chance again, if he's training good.”

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Saturday’s Insights: Pricey Uncle Mo Colt Debuts at Big A

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6th-Aqueduct, $80k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 2:15 p.m. ET

Bob LaPenta, Gainesway and Bridlewood Farm’s ALL MO (Uncle Mo) debuts for trainer Jonathan Thomas. The $450,000 KEENOV weanling turned $900,000 KEESEP yearling is a half to stakes winner and graded placed Fusaichi Red (Fusaichi Pegasus). TJCIS PPs

4th-Churchill, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16m, post time: 2:27 p.m. ET

Andrew Farm and For the People Racing’s BUGLE OF WAR (War Front), a $400,000 KEESEP yearling, debuts for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The colt is out of Group 1 placed Princess Sinead (Ire) (Jeremy). Larry Jones sends out Fox Hill Farms firster Galilee (Pioneerof the Nile). A $475,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, the bay colt is a half-brother to Grade I winner Cupid (Tapit), as well as graded winners Ashley’s Kitty (Tale of the Cat) and Heart Ashley (Lion Heart). D J Stable’s Dolder Grand (Candy Ride {Arg}), an $800,000 OBS April purchase, returns to the maiden ranks following a third-place finish in the Sept. 20 GI Summer S. TJCIS PPs

4th-Del Mar, $57k, Msw, 1m, post time: 4:59 p.m. ET

China Horse Club and WinStar Farm’s EDITOR IN CHIEF (Curlin), a $650,000 FTSAUG yearling, makes his first trip to the post for trainer Bob Baffert. The gray colt is out of the unraced Tapas (Tapit), who is a half-sister to MGSW Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), dam of graded winners New Year’s Day (Street Cry {Ire}) and Mohaymen (Tapit). China Horse Club purchased Tapas for $1.3 million at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November sale. C R K Stable’s Parnelli (Quality Road) has opened his career with runner-up efforts behind highly accomplished foes, debuting with a second behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Superman Shaq (Shackleford) at Del Mar Sept. 6, behind GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) at Santa Anita Oct. 2, and behind $1-million yearling Spielberg (Union Rags) at this track and trip Nov. 1. Qatar Racing and Three Chimneys Farm’s North Pole (Pioneerof the Nile), a $1.05-million KEESEP yearling, makes his third trip to the post. Second sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar in his Aug. 16 debut, the colt faded to eighth going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita Oct. 24. TJCIS PPs

8th-Fair Grounds, $47k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 5:31 p.m. ET

Trainer Steve Asmussen sends out firster MORNING FROST (Frosted) for owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. The gray filly was a $550,000 KEESEP yearling purchase and is out of graded placed Live for Now (Tiznow), a half-sister to champion Point Given (Thunder Gulch). TJCIS PPs

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