Reigning Champ Goldencents Tries to Repeat in $1 Million BC Dirt Mile

The field of ten is lead by the reigning Dirt Mile champ Goldencents (6/5) who draws the rail for trainer Leandro Mora.  In four starts this year, Goldencents has one win and three second place efforts – all at the Grade 1 or Grade 2 level.  In those four starts, Goldencents has recorded triple digit Beyer Speed Figures in each including a 110 in the Metropolitan Mile and a 109 in the Pat O’Brien.  He earned a 105 in winning the 2013 BC Dirt Mile, by comparison, which reveals what most handicappers already know:  Goldencents hasn’t lost a step.  In his three defeats this year, only one came at his preferred one mile distance and that was at the hands of Palace Malice, who was widely considered the best older horse in training before injury forced his retirement over the summer. 

Veteran rivals in great form 

Goldencents will be tough to beat, but he is not without serious opposition in the $1 million race.  The six year-old Pants On Fire (6/1 ML) is in career best form for trainer Kelly Breen and will try to avenge a disappointing seventh place finish to Goldencents in last year’s Dirt Mile.  Another interesting competitor is the Chilean-bred Bronzo, who is a Group 1 winner in his native country. 

Asmussen, Baffert saddle serious contenders 

Tapiture (6/1) seems to be finding his best form for trainer Steve Asmussen, and Fed Biz (7/2) was beaten just a neck last out in the Awesome Again Stakes by BC Classic favorite Shared Belief.