Lobo Pads His Breeders' Cup Roster With In Love (GB)'s Keeneland Turf Mile Victory

Trainer Paulo Lobo already had one horse in his stable with a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup in Imperador (ARG) before Saturday. By 6 p.m. yesterday, In Love (BRZ) had punched his ticket to Del Mar with a 1½-length victory in the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1).

Lobo said that In Love as well as stablemate Ivar (BRZ) both returned to The Thoroughbred Center on the other side of Lexington last night and were doing fine Sunday morning. Ivar, in his first start in more than five months, finished fourth after a troubled trip in his bid to repeat in the Turf Mile.

In Love, who provided jockey Alex Achard with his first Grade 1 victory, earned a berth in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF, a race in which Ivar was fourth last year here at Keeneland and remains under consideration for this year.

Imperador earned his spot into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a victory in course-record time in the Calumet Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs last month.

All three horses are owned by Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I. Lobo said he would ship his Breeders’ Cup runners to Del Mar on Nov. 1.

The defending champion in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Order of Australia (IRE), finished last in the field of 12 in the Keeneland Turf Mile.

“He was a disappointment,” said Kieran Murphy, who is overseeing trainer Aidan O’Brien’s horses at Keeneland. “He had a tough draw, 10 of 13, and he doesn’t like to be in around other horses. He will leave tonight for Chicago and then fly home tomorrow.”