Wise Dan goes for second straight Shadwell Turf Mile win

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Horse of the Year Wise Dan will make a final start before moving on to the Breeders' Cup next month. The 6-year-old gelding goes for his second consecutive win in Saturday's 28th running of the $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland Racecourse.

Wise Dan, owned by Morton Fink, has been perfect in all five starts this year and is working on a nine-race winning streak coming into Saturday's start. He won the Woodbine Mile, for the second straight year as well, just three weeks ago as he follows a similar schedule as 2012.

The Shadwell Turf Mile is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event as was the Woodbine Mile. The race winner gains automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Trained by Charles LoPresti, Wise Dan will break from the far outside post in the 10-horse field. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will again be aboard the three-time Eclipse Award winner. Jose Lezcano substituted for Velazquez in winning last year's Shadwell Turf Mile.

Wise Dan won his second straight Fourstardave Handicap in August on Saratoga's turf course after beginning 2013 with victories in Keeneland's Maker's 46 Mile and at Churchill Downs in the Turf Classic and Firecracker Handicap.

"He's a great horse. I mean he is a dream come true. He makes us very proud," said LoPresti. "What he does for the fans and what he does for us, all my team that's worked with him, Mr. Fink is the breeder, the mare, all the awards we got for breeding and the mare. He is just a dream come true. What a wonderful horse."

The champion has earned $5,043,610 in 25 lifetime starts with 18 wins, while banking just over $1.5 million this year.

LoPresti also has Turallure entered in the race. Owned by Four D Stables, the gray 6-year-old will start from post 2 with Julien Leparoux riding.

Turallure was fourth in the Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga five weeks ago. In 2011, he won the Woodbine Mile and was second to Court Vision in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

He has career earnings of $1,375,814 with six wins in 24 starts.

Here is the complete field in post position order: Winning Prize, Garrett Gomez; Turallure, Julien Leparoux; Skyring, Eddie Castro; Hogy, Joe Rocco Jr.; Summer Front, Joe Bravo; Willcox Inn, James Graham; Handsome Mike, Mario Gutierrez; Coalport, Channing Hill; Silver Max, Robby Albarado and Wise Dan, John Velazquez.

Post-time will be approximately 5:21 p.m. (ET) for the Shadwell Turf Mile.