Mile Challenge lures Asian superstars, American contenders

A total of 240 horses from 13 racing jurisdictions has been nominated to the

Asian Mile Challenge. Running from March through June, the lucrative mile series

comprises four Group 1 races in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan.

Among the nominees are America's own BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) and

HONOR IN WAR (Lord At War [Arg]), Hong Kong's sensational SILENT WITNESS (El

Moxie), Japan's Triple Crown winner DEEP IMPACT (Sunday Silence) and impressive

American Invitational Oaks (G1) queen CESARIO (Jpn) (Special Week).

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Badge of Silver scored a front-running victory in the

recent San Gabriel H. (G2) in his turf debut, thereby staving off retirement in

hopes of earning more laurels on the lawn for trainer Bobby Frankel. 3rd Turn

Stable's Grade 1-winning veteran Honor in War is also exiting a sharp win in the

Ft. Lauderdale S., showing grit to overcome a troubled trip for conditioner Paul

McGee.

Silent Witness, undefeated in 18 sprint races, has suffered his only two

losses at a mile, both narrow decisions. The Tony Cruz charge has not raced

since capturing the Sprinters S. (Jpn-G1) in early October, after which he

contracted a virus that forced him to miss December's Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1).

Cesario is also on the comeback trail, sidelined by injury after her

American Oaks win. Deep Impact had raced unbeaten through Japan's Triple Crown

before suffering his first loss in the Arima Kinen (Jpn-G1) to the older Heart's

Cry (Sunday Silence).

Also representing Japan are Mile Championship (Jpn-G1) and Hong Kong Mile

(HK-G1) king HAT TRICK (Sunday Silence); ASAKUSA DEN'EN (Singspiel [Ire]), who

defeated Silent Witness in last June's Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1), the final leg of

the 2006 Asian Mile Challenge; and 2004 American Invitational Oaks runner-up DANCE IN THE MOOD (Sunday Silence).

Several stablemates of Silent Witness from the Tony Cruz barn have also been

nominated, led by BULLISH LUCK (Royal Academy), victor of last year's Champions

Mile (HK-G1), the third leg of the series this year, over Silent Witness.

Other international stars tossing their hats into the ring include multiple

Group 1 winner VALIXIR (Ire) (Trempolino), unplaced in last year's Breeders' Cup

Mile S. (G1) and now with Godolphin; representing Great Britain, last-out

Breeders' Cup Mile fifth MAJORS CAST (Ire) (Victory Note) and Shadwell Turf Mile

(G1) runner-up VANDERLIN (GB) (Halling); ex-Frankel trainee LUNDY'S LIABILITY (Brz)

(Candy Stripes), racing for South African horseman Mike de Kock and third in

Thursday's Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (UAE-G3); and Australia's Group 1 heroes

LAD OF THE MANOR (Zabeel), GOD'S OWN (Redoute's Choice), and FIELDS OF OMAGH (Rubiton).

"We are thrilled with the terrific global response to the Asian Mile

Challenge," said Lawrence T. Wong, chief executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club

and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation. "We have scores of the best milers

from all over the Asian Racing Federation in contention, not to mention top

horses from the Americas and Europe."

The four legs of the series are the $527,000 Futurity S. (Aus-G1) at

Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on March 4; the $5 million Dubai

Duty Free (UAE-G1) at Nad al Sheba on March 25; the $1.033 million Champions

Mile at Sha Tin on May 7; and the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo on June 4.

The nominees are eligible for up to $4 million in bonuses, in addition to the

total $8.6 million in purse money.