Good points, Medlocke. The Euro's sent their C team to the Arlington Million and took two of the three top spots. Imagine what Gio will be up against in the BC Mile. As for Sidney's Candy, there are likely to be quality speed challengers and that CD turf course will be long and deep come BC time. Very different surface from the putting green at Del Mar
I meant to say Gio Ponti would have a shot at beating Goldikova, Paco Boy, or Makfi if the B.C. Mile-Turf were a 9 or 10 furlong race and not just a mile. My comments didn't come out correctly in my above statement.
Someone mentioned to consider Gio Ponti for the B.C. Mile-Turf. You've got Goldikova, Paco Boy, and English 2000 Guineas winner, Makfi, already coming from Europe for that race. Goldikova and Paco Boy had a real duel in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot back in June. A race that Goldikova just did hang on to win. Then, surprisingly, Makfi beat them both at Deauville in the Prix Jacques La Marious. At 10 furlongs, or even 9, I would think Gio Ponti would have a chance in the B.C. Mile-Turf. But Gio Ponti is more of grinder than a horse with a sparkling quick turn of foot. IMO. America does have a colt that is hopefully still going forward for the B.C. Mile-Turf. Sidney's Candy, after the performance he threw up in the La Jolla Handicap over 8-1/2 furlongs. Setting a new Del-Mar turf course record for that distance, in his only career start on turf. He destroyed the La Jolla Handicap field. If he breaks the same way, and bolts out to a big lead in the Turf Mile? Goldikova, Paco Boy, and Makfi will all be scratching their head's. But for Gio Ponti. It's either take a chance at 10 furlongs on the dirt in the Classic? Or likely be beaten at 12 furlongs by the Euro horses in the B.C. Turf at 12 furlongs. JMO.