Trainer Henry Candy and owner Paul Jacobs have decided to take on Tepin (Bernstein) and company in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 5 with their brilliant gelding Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). The team were also strongly considering the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, but following a lengthy decision-making process they have their sights firmly set on the longer race.
Explaining their reasons Candy said, “We've decided to just give him the entry in the Mile. I didn't like the idea of the sprint course in case he is slow away. I suppose as it is an easy mile you have got to think he will get it; he is in good shape and he will go out there on
Saturday.”
Limato has top class winning form over both six and seven furlongs, having won this year the G1 Darley July Cup and G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret. On his only attempt at a mile so far, Limato posted a sound effort when fourth in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury in May. Candy doesn't feel the race distance will be an issue, but he has the height of respect for the opposition, headed by last year's winner Tepin, even though the star mare suffered a rare defeat last time.
“There is only one problem, and that is the opposition,” said Candy. “Tepin's defeat looked like a straightforward error of judgement last time, to me. I'm sure she will be ridden more handy this time, as she has got a good turn of foot, as we saw when she quickened up well at Ascot. She will be very hard to beat, but we will give it our best shot.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
