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Mastercraftsman expresses first preference for Dirt Mile

Trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed on Monday that MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill Dancer) has the November 7 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as his first preference, possibly leaving his stablemate RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]) to shoulder the yard's hopes alone in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Mastercraftsman (left) shown defeating Delegator in the St. James's Palace (Frank Sorge/Horsephotos.com) "Rip Van Winkle is in the Classic, and we've also entered Mastercraftsman in that race, but his stated preference is for the Mile Dirt race," O'Brien told PA Sport. "However, we are allowed to change preferences closer to the race." Both colts are multiple Group 1 winners at one mile with strong form at the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Classic. Mastercraftsman, last year's champion two-year-old colt in Europe, has captured this season's Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and St. James's Palace S. (Eng-G1). The gray turned in an admirable runner-up effort to the all-conquering Sea the Stars in the Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1) at just beyond 10 furlongs, and he exits a five-length romp in the Diamond S. (Ire-G3) going about 10 1/2 furlongs on the Dundalk Polytrack.

Rip Van Winkle, runner-up to Sea the Stars in the 10-furlong Eclipse S. (Eng-G1), has since cut back to a mile to win the Sussex S. (Eng-G1) and Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1) in his last two.

O'Brien also mentioned his other Breeders' Cup plans.

"MAN OF IRON (Giant's Causeway) is in the Breeders' Cup Marathon, while ALFRED NOBEL (Danehill Dancer) and BEETHOVEN (Oratorio [Ire]) are both in the Juvenile (G1) Dirt.

"LILLIE LANGTRY (Danehill Dancer) is in the fillies' grass race (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), while VISCOUNT NELSON (Giant's Causeway) is in the colts' grass race (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf [G2])."

Man of Iron, a recent winner at Dundalk and a distant fourth to Mastercraftsman in the Diamond, is a three-year-old half-brother to the Belmont S. (G1)-winning pair of champion Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold).

Beethoven posted a career-best effort to triumph in the recent Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1). Alfred Nobel scored in the Phoenix S. (Ire-G1) and Railway S. (Ire-G2) over the summer, but has been unplaced in his past two starts.

Debutante S. (Ire-G2) heroine Lillie Langtry comes off a driving victory in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies' 800, and Hurricane Run S. scorer Viscount Nelson was runner-up in the Champagne S. (Eng-G2) in his latest.

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