Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile

Grade I / Group 1 *CPU · California (CA)

Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile

Race ID 3675072 · Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older

PreviewRespectful Anger comes into the race a 3-year-old with six wins from 11 starts, all on dirt, including the Florida Derby, the Risen Star Stakes and the Wizard of Winter Dirt Juvenile. His best figure is 117.6 in the Bright Sal Dirt Mile, won by more than seven lengths over a mile. Last start he led at every call in the Grade II Bettis Handicap before being beaten a quarter-length, on a figure of 110.0. His two weaker Grade I runs, the Bluegrass Derby and the Eddie Haskell Stakes, were both over further than a mile. L Kraft, who rode him to the Florida Derby win, is back in the saddle. Every start so far has been against horses of his own age, so Friday is his first test against older company.

He’s got the manners of a church raffle volunteer and a price of 32/1, but he ran the Bettis winner to a whisker, so he’s no mug. First go against the older blokes though, and I’m keeping my beer money in my pocket.

PreviewLil’ Freak is a 4-year-old gelding with seven wins from 17 starts, two of them at Grade II level, the most recent being the Prims Memorial in July. His best figure is 120.4 in the San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes over 8.5 furlongs, where he came from 8th at the first call to win by 3 1/4 lengths. His Grade I runs this year have been less productive: 5th in the Cosmopolitan, 10th in the February Stakes and 5th in the Colin Hayes Mile, on figures between 109.7 and 112.3. He races off the pace, usually well back early, and his wins have come from between 4th and 8th at the first call. His Grade I figures this year sit below his Grade II best.

Fair dinkum, this bloke runs like a champ in the Grade II comps then goes missing when the big dogs turn up. Needs the front-runners to cook each other up front, and even then he’s a trifecta filler, not a winner.

PreviewInto Poetry is a 5-year-old with 6 wins, 4 seconds and a third from 25 starts, including Grade II wins in the New Hampshire Handicap in May and the Insulin Cap last year. He has run in Grade I company often without a win, finishing 2nd in the Itch Tribute and 4th in the Bob Woodward Memorial last start. His figures fall into two bands: around 115 (115.6 last start, 115.3 when winning at New Hampshire) and around 108 to 109 in his weaker runs, such as the Movieland Shiny Cup and Bertrando Handicap. Most of his racing has been over nine furlongs, and he sits on or just behind the pace, usually 2nd to 5th at the first call. He ran in last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, finishing 16th of 20 from post 18 on a figure of 106.8.

Honest battler who’s always in the mix but never gets the Grade I trophy, and he got monstered in this race last year. He’ll try hard, but I’d keep the wallet shut.

PreviewBad As One is a 4-year-old colt with 5 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 15 starts, all on dirt and all but one over a route. He comes in off two Grade II wins in his last three starts, the Cornhusker Handicap in June and The Tapit in September, the latter on a career-best figure of 116.9. Between them came a 2 3/4-length third in the Grade I Hit Me Handicap (113.6). He is a closer: he was 11th and 12th at the first call in those two wins, 8 1/4 and 7 1/2 lengths off the lead, so he needs the race to set up for him. His three starts at California this year were mixed: 14th in the San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes, 13th in the California Handicap over ten furlongs, and 2nd in an allowance race over a mile. N Labreche rode him in the California Handicap.

Likes to arrive late, like a bloke rocking up to the barbie once the snags are cooked. Two Grade II wins in his last three says he’s on the up, so he’s worth a small each-way if the leaders go off like a frog in a sock.

PreviewTaps Devil is a 6-year-old with 11 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds from 31 starts, and a Grade I win in The February Stakes in 2025. He returned to that race this year and finished 2nd on a figure of 116.4. His best listed figure is 119.1, when he won an allowance race at CA by 19 lengths at odds of 0.05. In July he won the Grade II Lil’ Leprechaun Mile on 116.7, but he was 8th in the Middle Ground Mile last start on 108.9. He races on or just behind the pace: his first-call positions run from 1st to 6th, and his three listed wins came from 1st, 2nd and 4th at the first call. He ran in last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, finishing 6th, beaten 3 1/4 lengths, from post 20 with F Gossett aboard, who rides him again on Friday. His two Cosmopolitan Handicap starts ended 10th and 12th.

A Grade I winner who can clearly gallop, but he’s been blowing hot and cold like a Queensland summer. If he turns up in the mood he’ll make the top four, and if he doesn’t he’ll be having a lend of us.

PreviewThe Time Traveler is a 5-year-old with 10 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds from 26 starts, including Grade I wins in the Bob Woodward Memorial and Charles Town Classic this year and the Sterile Mile last November. His best listed figure is 120.7 in the Charles Town Classic, followed by 118.1 in the Sterile Mile and 117.7 last start, when he led at every call to win the Bob Woodward by a neck. He is a stalker: his first-call positions mostly run from 3rd to 8th, and he went to the front late in the Charles Town Classic and Sterile Mile. He has won at a mile (the Sterile Mile, Degoldenstorm Dirt Route) and at nine furlongs, and was 7th in the Glenn Kegasus Tradition Killer in January. O A Haack, who rode him to the Sterile Mile and Bob Woodward wins, is aboard again.

The one they’ve all got to catch, and the numbers back it up. He beat Extreme Etiquette by a neck in the Bob Woodward, and I reckon 7/1 is a ripper price for the best horse in the race.

PreviewGolden Gunslinger is a 3-year-old gelding with 6 wins and a second from 10 starts, and an End-of-Year Award badge. Three of those wins were Grade I races at CA as a 2-year-old: the North Fork Stakes, the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile and the Movieland Futurity. This year has been harder. He was 2nd in the Vermont Is 4 Lovers on a career-best 102.7, then ran 5th in the All Saints Derby, 17th in the Bluegrass Derby and 14th in the Eddie Haskell Stakes last start, on figures of 87.4 to 99.1. He has not won beyond 8.5 furlongs, and all four starts this year were at nine furlongs or more. He is usually midfield early but has won from as far back as 12th. R Hansen, who rode the Movieland Futurity win, is aboard again. Every start so far has been against his own age group.

Won three Grade I’s as a juvenile, then went backwards faster than a Holden up a hill. At 106/1 even the bookies reckon he’s gone to the pub.

PreviewFour A Time is a 4-year-old colt with 5 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts, including a Grade II win in The Hoffa Cup in September. None of his 13 listed starts was in a Grade I race. He has three figures above 114 this year: 119.2 in a NY allowance win in February, 118.0 when 2nd in the Van Halen Dirt Route in April and 114.6 in the Hoffa Cup, with an 8th on 106.7 in The West Coaster at CA in May. He is a pace presser, 1st or 2nd at the first call in 8 of those starts, including both 2026 wins. Ten were at nine furlongs or more, and his only start at a mile was on turf, a 3rd in January 2025. S Noles rode both 2026 wins; M Brown is not among his listed jockeys.

Got within a quarter-length of Extreme Etiquette in the Van Halen, so he can clearly gallop. But he’s never had a crack at Grade I, and that’s a big jump, like going from Saturday footy to the grand final.

PreviewMischief In House is a 5-year-old with 6 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 21 starts, all on dirt, and has earned more than $2.1 million. He is a front runner: he was 1st at the first call in nine of his 10 listed starts. Four of his listed runs last year ended in 2nd place, including the Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, where he led at every call and was beaten a quarter-length on 117.3. The others were beaten a nose in The GoodyGood, a head in the Insulin Cap and half a length in the Cornhusker Handicap. His best listed figure is 117.8, winning the Grade III Day Of Memorial Handicap. This year he ran 13th, 11th and 9th before leading throughout to win the Grade III Nickes Memorial last start on 113.1. He has had a different jockey in each of his 10 listed starts.

He ran Willyousofunny to a quarter-length in this race last year, so he knows the way home. Trouble is he wants the front and there’s no shortage of horses with the same idea, so he’ll be hanging on by his fingernails.

PreviewRational Pharoah is a 3-year-old colt with 4 wins and 4 seconds from 12 starts, all on dirt. His Grade I win came in the Vermont Is 4 Lovers in February, when he sat 2nd at every call and won by 1 3/4 lengths. He also won the Grade II Club Stakes as a 2-year-old. He was 2nd in the Eddie Haskell Stakes, his best figure at 109.1, and in the Middle Jewel Stakes, but his other 2026 starts were 8th in the Florida Derby, 9th in the Bluegrass Derby and 12th in the Travelers Stakes last start on 99.4. He usually settles in the back half early, 6th to 10th at the first call in seven of his last eight starts, and in the Eddie Haskell he was 9th at the third call before finishing 2nd by a head. J Dawg has ridden him seven times, including the Vermont win. Every start has been against his own age group.

He got the better of Golden Gunslinger in the Vermont back in February and has been living off it since. Even at 59/1 I’d sooner put my money on the pavlova.

PreviewSeattle Gold Front is a 6-year-old gelding with 7 wins, 3 seconds and 6 thirds from 24 starts, all on dirt, and has earned more than $3.1 million. Nine of his ten starts in 2025 and 2026 were in Grade I company. His Grade I win came in the Cosmopolitan Handicap in May over a mile, from 9th at the first call, on a figure of 116.3. His best figure is 117.3, when 2nd by a head in last year’s Bob Woodward Memorial, and he has also been 2nd in the Japan Dirt Cup, 3rd in the Charles Town Classic in both years and 4th in the February Stakes. He was 20th of 20 in last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Classic over ten furlongs, and 11th in the Hit Me Handicap last start on 105.5. He is a closer, between 5th and 13th at the first call. D Givins rode him to 2nd in the Japan Dirt Cup.

Fat bank balance and a Cosmopolitan win over a mile, but he likes to potter round the back early, and in a field of 20 that’s a lot of traffic to weave through. If he finds a gap he’ll hit the board, but I wouldn’t bet my left boot on it.

PreviewBJ’s Flashzapper is a 3-year-old gelding with 8 wins and a second from 10 starts. He was claimed for $100,000 from the stable of trainer windcountr (owner intheirons6) after a 2nd in a $100,000 claiming race at VA in January, and has won all five starts since, each over a mile. Those wins took him from allowance company to the Wooden Stud Dirt Mile and then the Grade II Bettis Handicap last start, won by a quarter-length on a career-best 110.6. He races off the pace, 5th to 10th at the first call in those wins, and in the Bettis he was 10th at every call before getting up late. This is his first Grade I start. He has not raced beyond a mile or against older horses, and M Lannoo has not ridden him before.

Cracking story: five straight wins since being claimed for 100 grand, and he got past Respectful Anger in the Bettis last start. But he’s been fattening up on smaller fry and this is Grade I with the big dogs, so cheer for him but don’t bet the house.

PreviewBetrayyouinmyname is a 5-year-old with 5 wins, 5 seconds and a third from 22 starts, and a Grade II winner through the Sand Castle Goldolphin Mile in March, won by half a length on 116.1, his best figure. He has been consistent at a high level, with six figures between 115.2 and 116.1 across 2025 and 2026. He was 2nd in the Colin Hayes Mile last start (115.8, beaten three-quarters of a length), 2nd in the Cosmopolitan Handicap and 2nd in the Khartoum Challenge I. His one poor run this year was a 14th on turf in the Sunny Mile. A closer, he is usually 7th to 12th at the first call and runs on in the straight. In the Colin Hayes Mile he was 8th, 8th and 4th at the calls. Most of his racing has been at a mile. J Wilson, who rode him in that race, is aboard again. He has not yet won a Grade I.

The bridesmaid of this field: second in the Colin Hayes Mile, second in the Cosmopolitan, and always a bridesmaid. He’ll be right there at the finish, just not first, and with a name like that don’t say I didn’t warn you.

PreviewNeverpaidtheprice is a 5-year-old with 4 wins, 8 seconds and 3 thirds from 24 starts, and a stakes winner. In his 13 starts across 2025 and 2026 he has finished in the first three 11 times, the exceptions being a 5th and a 7th. His best figure is 117.5, when 2nd by 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade I Euro Dirt Mile Final, with 116.3 when 2nd in the Grade III Save A Buck and 115.2 when 2nd in the Mansur Leroys Handicap. His only win this year was the Annual Home Dirt Mile in March. He is a closer, 10th or further back at the first call in nine of those starts and often 8 or 9 lengths off the lead, and he was 3rd in the Middle Ground Mile last start on 110.8. K Ledwith has not ridden him in that form.

Rarely wins but he’s always in the money, a bit like a mate who never shouts but always turns up. Safe as houses for a place, but he’ll find someone better on the day, like always.

PreviewExtreme Etiquette is a 6-year-old with 7 wins, 4 seconds and 7 thirds from 27 starts, all but one on dirt, and a Grade II winner. In 2025 and 2026 he has won twice: the Van Halen Dirt Route in April on a career-best 118.3, and a KY allowance in January. His best Grade I run was a 117.5 when 2nd by a neck in the Bob Woodward Memorial in August, and he was also 3rd in the Glenn Kegasus Tradition Killer and 5th in the Charles Town Classic last year. He ran 4th in the Bluegrass Cup Classic last start on 106.4. A stalker, he is usually 2nd to 6th at the first call and has won from both 3rd and 9th. Nine of his 11 starts were at nine furlongs, and he was 6th in The Mecca Dirt Mile over a mile. M Kelly has ridden him four times, including the Bob Woodward.

My pick of the each-way mob. He was beaten a neck by The Time Traveler and held off Four A Time in the Van Halen, so the form’s rock solid. Last start was a blip and I’m happy to forgive it.

PreviewCode of Mischief is a 3-year-old colt with 2 wins from 7 starts, all on dirt, and has earned more than $270,000. His wins were a 5.5-furlong allowance race at UAE as a 2-year-old and the Grade II Heat Less Stakes in April, where he sat 2nd early, took the lead by the third call and held on by a head. Last start he was 2nd at the first two calls in the Grade II LA Derby and finished 4th, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, on a career-best 110.4. Before that he was 9th in the Eddie Haskell Stakes and 13th in the Middle Jewel Stakes over 9.5 furlongs. He races on or close to the pace, 1st to 4th at the first call in every start. A Weldon rode him in the LA Derby. Every start so far has been against horses of his own age.

Plenty of guts and gate speed, but he’s a three-year-old colt taking on the grown-ups at 78/1. He might lead them a merry dance for half the trip, then it’s see ya later.

PreviewWillyousofunny is a 6-year-old with 10 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 22 starts, all on dirt, and the winner of last year’s Breeders’ Bowl Dirt Mile, which he took by a quarter-length from 15th at the first call on a figure of 117.8. Seven of his nine starts in 2025 and 2026 were at exactly a mile and he has won five of them, including this year’s Grade III Double Barreled Mile (119.2, his best figure) and Salvatore Mile (118.8). Last start he was 3rd in the Grade I Colin Hayes Mile on 113.1, and in February he was 6th in the February Stakes. He is a closer, between 5th and 15th at the first call in every start and winning from as far back as 15th and 10th. F Mac has not ridden him in those starts.

Defending champ, and he loves a mile like I love a cold one after a long arvo. He won this last year from the back of the pack, ahead of Mischief In House by a quarter-length, so with The Time Traveler he’s the one to beat.

PreviewCountry Classics is a 3-year-old colt with 4 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 12 starts, all on dirt. He is a Grade II winner through The Liar in June, which he took by half a length on 107.3, and he also won a KY allowance race. His figures have risen with every start since the Wooden Indian, from 99.3 to 109.0 in the South Bend Derby last start, his best this year, where he finished 7th, beaten six lengths. He was 2nd in the Roy Higgins Plate and in the Grade III Buccaneer Derby, leading through the third call in the latter. A pace horse, he was 1st to 5th at the first call in six of his seven starts, the exception being 11th early in the Risen Star Stakes. GD Mate has not ridden him in those starts. All seven were against his own age group.

Young colt on the way up, but this is the big league and he’s never raced older horses. He might be a ripper one day, just not this arvo.

PreviewLast Try Wins is a 5-year-old bred in KSA, with 6 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts, all on dirt. He is a Grade II winner through the Star Athlete Handicap in May, which he took by a quarter-length on 113.7. His best figure is 115.8 in the Fly For Buda Dirt Mile, where he led at every call and won by four lengths. Last start he ran 4th in the Grade I Colin Hayes Mile on 112.2, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, his only Grade I start in 2025 and 2026. Seven of his ten starts in that time were at 8 furlongs or less, and he finished in the first three in seven of them. He has early speed, 1st or 2nd at the first call in six of the ten. He has had a different jockey in each of those starts, and M Billig is not among them.

The name’s tempting, but I reckon this is his last try before the field runs over the top of him. Good honest horse with a bit of gate speed, just a class below the best in here.

PreviewLevon Helm is a 5-year-old gelding with 11 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds from 39 starts, 19 of them sprints. Four of his 12 starts in the form were wins, all over a mile and in a row from June to August: a $150,000 claiming race at NB (116.7, his best figure), an ID allowance, a KY allowance and the Grade II Middle Ground Mile, which he led at every call and won by three lengths on 115.8. Last start he moved into stakes company in the Kissin Cousin II Dirt Special and finished 11th, beaten 9 1/4 lengths on 105.1, after racing 3rd at each call. He is a front runner, 1st at the first call in seven of the 12 starts. J Straw is not among the 11 riders he has had. None of the 12 starts was in a Grade I.

Claimer to Grade II winner in a few months is a cracking yarn, but a first crack at Grade I is a big ask and he was flogged last start. He’ll go forward early, but with this much speed in the race he’ll be cooked by the turn.

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