George Washington Heads for the Classic

Trainer Aidan O'Brien announced Sunday that George Washington, Europe's leading mile runner, will now be racing the Breeder's Cup Classic. Previously George Washington was marked to run the Mile but O'Brien has higher hopes for him and believes he is up for the challenge.

"George goes for the Classic," O'Brien said. "We know he would have been short-priced favorite for the Mile, but winning the Classic would open the whole world to him. The one thing they need to do, to handle the dirt, is travel in their races - and that's what George has always done, as much as any horse we've ever had."

George Washington was bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables, who also own Showing Up as well as Barbaro. Though Washington may enter as somewhat of a longshot he will definitely put a spin on this year's Breeder's Cup Classic. And let's not forget how close O'Brien and Coolmore came to winning the Classic in 2000 when their top-class miler Giant's Causeway was scarcely beaten by Tiznow.

With Dylan Thomas out for the year following his poor effort in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, O'Brien's new focus is preparing George Washington for possibly his toughest race yet.

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