Bricks and Mortar’s stirring victory in Saturday’s Arlington Million (G1) was the fourth Grade 1 win of the year for Kentucky-bred 5-year-old, who has clearly established himself as the premier turf marathon male in the U. S., and after defeating an international field at Arlington, also one of the best in the world.

Riding a five-race winning streak coming into the Million, Bricks and Mortar did not disappoint as the 1 -2 favorite. Given a very patient ride by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the dark bay son of Giant’s Causeway waited behind horse for over a mile before tipping out in the stretch, then running past a game Magic Wand to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59 3/5 for the 1 1/4-miles.

The victory earned Bricks and Mortar an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) the first weekend of November. Since coming back in late 2018 from an extended layoff, Bricks and Mortar has been unbeatable, winning an allowance race and five graded stakes. His overall mark now stands at 10-0-2 from 12 outings, with $4,885,650 in earnings for William H. Lawrence and Klaravich Stables.

Bricks and Mortar was bred by George Strawbridge out of the Ocean Crest mare Beyond the Waves, who has also produced graded stakes winner Emerald Beech (Maria’s Mon) and multiple stakes winner Beyond Smart (Smart Strike).

Got Stormy, a daughter of the young Kentucky stallion Get Stormy, also earned an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup, in the Mile (G1), after defeating colts in the Fourstardave S. (G1) Saturday at Saratoga. The first distaffer ever to win the prestigious event, the 4-year-old also set a course record of 1:32 flat for the mile.

Bred in the Bluegrass by Mt. Joy Stables, Pope, Marc and Pope, Jr. McLean, Got Stormy previously won the Ontario Colleen S. (G3) and four other black type events and is now 7-1-3 in 15 starts and has banked $760,078 for Gary Barber and Southern Equine Stable, proving quite a bargain for his $45,000 auction price.

Got Stormy’s dam Super Phoebe’s siblings include Grade 2 winners Overdriven and Smooth Air.

More Breeders’ Cup spots will be up for grabs this weekend at Del Mar in the Pacific Classic (G1, Breeders’ Cup Classic) and Del Mar Turf (G2, Turf) and in France for the Juvenile Turf Sprint in the Prix de Morny (G2).