NEWS
Student Council to bypass Breeders’ Cup
Posted: Sunday, October 14, 2007 7:24 PM
STUDENT COUNCIL
Benoit & Associates photo
Owner Ro Parra of Millennium Farms has decided to bypass the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) with Grade 1 winner Student Council in favor of the $2.3-million Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) on November 24 at Tokyo Racecourse.
Five-year-old Student Council is unbeaten in two starts since being purchased in August by Millennium Farms. The Kingmambo horse out of multiple graded stakes winner Class Kris, by Kris S., enters off consecutive wins in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on August 19 at Del Mar and the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (G2) on September 29.
The win in the Pacific Classic makes Student Council eligible for an $833,300 bonus if he wins the Japan Cup Dirt, a 2,100-meter (about 1 5/16-mile) race. The 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic will be contested on October 27 at Monmouth Park.
“The Japan Cup Dirt is a prestigious international race, and we believe we can compete and win the race,” Parra said. “Student Council has an affinity for deeper tracks, and we have been informed that the track in Tokyo is similar to the tracks he has already won over.
“We have a great deal of respect for the field assembling for the Breeders’ Cup, but the bonus is a significant factor, and with his terrific pedigree and great sire potential, an international Group 1 victory would add to his value as a stallion prospect.”
Student Council is currently stabled at Keeneland Race Course, and is being trained by Steve Asmussen, who saddled the bay horse to victory in the Hawthorne Gold Cup. Vladimir Cerin, who was the trainer of record for Student Council’s Pacific Classic win, will resume training the horse when he arrives in California on October 19.
Richard Migliore, who rode Student Council to victory in the Pacific Classic and Hawthorne Gold Cup, will have a return call in the Japan Cup Dirt.
