Breeders’ Cup Field Is Beginning to Take Shape

ELMONT, N.Y. —  So, Arazi’s coming back to run in the Mile. We’ve seen this act before. So, Sky Classic could be Horse of the Year if he wins the Turf, and the Classic field is both deep and talented. The Distaff is beginning to look more and more like the best race of Breeders’ Cup Day.

Saratoga Dew was perhaps the most impressive winner of Breeders’ Cup Preview Day on Saturday at Belmont, where she won the Beldame by six lengths. Fowda was strong while upsetting Paseana in Sunday’s Spinster at Keeneland. And the long-absent winner of the Test and Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, November Snow, served a reminder Monday at Belmont that she is still a central figure when she outfinished a game Vivano while conceding 12 pounds and won the $110,800 Rare Perfume Handicap for 3-year-old fillies.

The road from the Alabama to the Rare Perfume has been long and winding for November Snow. She was to have run in the Gazelle Handicap last month. Allowing for a weight concession in deference to her age, she would have been the theoretical highweight in her first race against older fillies and mares. Owner Earle Mack decided it was imprudent to accept the weight. In her absence, Saratoga Dew, whom she defeated in the Alabama, won the Gazelle. November Snow then was entered in the Cotillion at Philadelphia Park, but Mack, who saw her win the Test and Alabama on off tracks, decided to scratch November snow when the track came up wet.

Trainer Allen Jerkens intended to enter November Snow in the Beldame but was overruled by Mack, who decided running a mile against 3-year-olds in the Rare Perfume was better. Saratoga Dew, who also is a 3-year-old, thrashed her elders in the Beldame and gained immensely in stature while winning her second Grade I stakes in the absence of November Snow.November Snow’s cause was aided Monday by longshot Perfect Gem, who pressed the frontrunning Vivano into a 22 1-5-second quarter and a fast 0:45 1-5 half-mile. Vivano and rider Mike Smith discouraged Perfect Gem, but Chris Antley was quick to move November Snow toward the leader. Vivano fought back gamely to regain a narrow lead in the stretch before finally surrendering a neck decision in 1:35 4-5 for the mile.