European trio, Program Trading headline Coolmore Turf Mile

A sneak preview of what the European contingent for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) might look like occurs Saturday in the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland, which awards the winner an automatic berth into the Nov. 1 feature at Del Mar.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Diego Velazquez has been an all-or-nothing type through 11 career starts, but has been at his best of late. He enters off a 17-1 upset of the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville, in which he defeated classic winner and recent Woodbine Mile (G1) scorer Notable Speech.

The two other invaders from overseas are both three-year-olds. Woodshauna, from France, upset the seven-furlong Prix Jean Prat (G1) two back, and then finished a respectable third in the shorter Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) against older. Jonquil, who missed by a head in the French 2000 Guineas (G1) in May, went cold in his following two starts but rebounded to capture the Celebration Mile (G2) at Goodwood in late August.

From a pure class perspective, the leading American candidate is Program Trading. However, the three-time Grade 1 winner is only just getting back to form after missing more than a year of action. His neck second to Donegal Momentum in the Aug. 29 Bernard Baruch S. at Saratoga was his first run since early June 2024, and one he can build upon.

Epic Ride registered his first win in three tries on the grass when taking last month's Mint Million (G1) at Kentucky Downs. Howard Wolowitz, meanwhile, stretches out to a mile for the first time off a rallying second in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2), which was his first start in six months.

One of the more interesting contenders in the $800,000 First Lady (G1) for fillies and mares is currently on the outside looking in.

Though only seventh in last year's edition of the one-mile grass test for fillies and mares, Special Wan has won both of her starts this year on firm ground, the Honey Fox (G3) and Ladies Turf (G3) at Kentucky Downs, and wasn't embarrassed when finishing third to Dynamic Pricing over much softer ground in the Just a Game (G1) at Saratoga. Special Wan is currently first on the also-eligible list in the overflow field.

Dynamic Pricing went on to finish third in the Diana (G1) and first in the Perfect Sting S. for Chad Brown, who also saddles Grade 2 veteran Segesta, who finished a half-length behind Special Wan at Kentucky Downs last month. Ozara rides in a two-race win streak, including the Ballston Spa (G2) over Deep Satin, currently the second also-eligible.

Choisya struggled at Saratoga over the summer, but did capture the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland in April in what was her U.S. debut. Raqiya, meanwhile, ran her best race of the year, finishing second to Dynamic Pricing in the Perfect Sting last time. Heredia, last-out winner of the Yellow Ribbon H. (G2), has positive form lines with Dynamic Price and Deep Satin, and English invader Simmering merits at least a glance off her close third in the 1000 Guineas (G1) back in May. Simply in Front and Nanda Dea also don't look out of place in a crazily difficult handicapping puzzle.

The $400,000 Woodford (G2), a Breeders' Cup Challenge series event for the Turf Sprint (G1), has attracted a field of nine to go 5 1/2 furlongs. The field lacks a standout, though the fastest out of the starting gate might be stakes winners Doncho and Joe Shiesty. The course-and-distance winning three-year-old Governor Sam also doesn't look out of place as he tackles older rivals for the first time.