Several Kentucky-breds have earned their way into the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup recently via victories in the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series of designated races run across the world.
Most recently was Seeking the Soul, the veteran son of Perfect Soul, who won the June 15 Stephen Foster S (G2) at Churchill Downs, guaranteeing the Charles Fipke homebred a starting spot in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Seeking the Soul, out of the graded stakes winner Seeking the Title, has earned over $3.3 million in his illustrious career.
Elate also punched her Breeders’ Cup ticket on June 15 at Churchill Downs with a score in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis H. The 5-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, campaigned by her breeders Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, is a four-time graded stakes winner of nearly $1.7 million and is on target for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
A week earlier on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont a pair of Kentucky breds earned their Breeders’ Cup entries. Mitole, who has won seven straight starts and two consecutive Grade 1 races, won the $1.2 million Metropolitan H. (G1) to gain entry into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1). The son of Eskendereya was bred by the late Edward Cox, Jr.
The brilliant filly Midnight Bisou dominated the field in the Ogden Phipps S. (G1) and is aiming for a return to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), a race she was third in last year. The 4-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds.
The Win and You’re In series is composed of more than 80 races and runs through early October. The Breeders’ Cup will be held this year at Santa Anita Park.