Following his Oklahoma Derby (G3) victory at Remington Park Sept. 28, BBN Racing's Bracket Buster is under consideration for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1.
The 3-year-old son of Vekoma returned to Keeneland's worktab for trainer Vicki Oliver Oct. 11, recording four furlongs in :48 2/5.
"Bracket Buster came out of the Oklahoma Derby in good order and is fresh," said BBN Racing co-founder Brian Klatsky. "He had a nice, easy breeze this morning. The Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile is a strong possibility."
Also under consideration for Bracket Buster is the $350,000 Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 25 over 1 1/8 miles. Klatsky said his work next weekend will be the ultimate decision maker.
A late foal born May 22, 2022, Bracket Buster has been one of the key late additions to a competitive crop of 3-year-olds this year. His last two starts have shown evidence of his development.
In the 1 1/4-mile Travers Stakes (G1), he proved the only challenger to dual-classic winner Sovereignty turning for home. Although 10 lengths behind Sovereignty at the wire, Bracket Buster finished 10 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher, Magnitude. Bracket Buster backed up that effort when cutting back to 1 1/8 miles for a 3 1/4-length score in the Oklahoma Derby.
"He is a late foal that keeps developing," Klatsky said. "With back-to-back triple-digit Beyers (102 in the Travers and 100 in Oklahoma), we think he belongs, and a two-turn mile may be his best distance."
