John Holleman's graded stakes-winner Law Professor is set to make a significant appearance in Saturday's Grade 2 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Owned by John Holleman and trained by Rob Atras, this 6-year-old Constitution gelding has amassed an impressive $1.07 million through a 24:9-2-3 record. He will be joined by fellow millionaires Señor Buscador, Post Time, Coastal Mission, and Book’em Danno in the one-turn mile handicap for 3-year-olds and up. However, the stacked field, which includes four Grade 1 winners among 11 entries, has the connections considering re-routing Law Professor to defend his title in the nine-furlong listed Queens County on Dec. 29 at Aqueduct.

Trainer's Dilemma

Rob Atras expressed his concerns about the increased toughness of the Cigar Mile race. He mentioned that every week he was hearing about another contender, making him on the fence about scratching Law Professor and waiting for the next race, the Queens County. Atras believes that the Cigar Mile has fast sprinters stretching out, which will create a fast pace that might not suit Law Professor. He is considering whether sitting close just off the pace but within himself will be the right strategy for the gelding. Atras said he will discuss options with the connections ahead of Saturday's test and make a final decision.Law Professor has shown success at a one-turn mile at Aqueduct, including a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure in a Feb. 23 optional-claiming score. But Atras believes the gelding is more effective against graded company when stretched out to nine furlongs, as he demonstrated in a 1 1/4-length second to Life Is Good in the 2022 Woodward (G1) at Aqueduct.The Queens County race offers a $150,000 purse, and Atras believes Law Professor will be one of the top two or three contenders. He pointed out that the Feb. 23 race was a different setup, with the gelding involved early and sitting just off decent fractions.Law Professor launched his career with trainer Michael McCarthy, winning the off-the-turf 2021 Mathis Mile (G2) at Santa Anita. He then made 12 starts for Atras from September 2022 through Feb. 23, including listed wins in the restricted Tapit at Kentucky Downs in September 2022, the Queens County at Aqueduct last January, and the local listed Excelsior last April.The talented dark bay sold for $230,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March digital sale and made one start for trainer Wade Rarick when seventh in the Lake Ouachita in May at Oaklawn Park before returning to the Atras barn.Law Professor was under consideration for both the Woodward (G2) and Vosburgh (G3) at Aqueduct in late September but was given time by Atras. He responded with a hard-fought nose score over well-regarded Bendoog in a nine-furlong optional-claiming tilt on Oct. 25 at Aqueduct, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. The third-place finisher, Tabeguache, came back to win a well-rated optional-claiming mile at the Big A.Atras also addressed Law Professor's behavioral problems in the morning, which he has mostly ironed out. However, they were having trouble getting his breezes in order and were worried about his fitness. But his last three works over the Belmont dirt training track, including a half-mile in 50.86 on Nov. 30, were good.Kendrick Carmouche is named Saturday from post 6 with Law Professor assessed at 15-1 on the morning line. Carmouche captured this event in 2020 when it was a Grade 1 with a 7-1 shot, True Timber.In the post silks section, we have various horses and their details. Book’em Danno, owned by Derek S. Ryan and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., finished 2nd in the 2024 Perryville G3 and is entered in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 4-1. Nelson Avenue, trained by Wayne Potts and ridden by Dylan Davis, finished 2nd in the 2024 Forty Niner G3 and is also in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 30-1. Repo Rocks, trained by Jamie Ness and ridden by Ruben Silvera, finished 4th in the 2024 Forty Niner G3 and is entered in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 30-1. Vinsanity, trained by Antonio Arriaga and ridden by Francisco Martinez, finished 9th in the Aqu Str (11/9/24-R7) and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 50-1. Mullikin, trained by Rodolphe Brisset and ridden by Flavien Prat, finished 3rd in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint G1 and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 3-1. Law Professor, trained by Rob Atras and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, won the Aqu AlwOC (10/25/24-R2) and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 15-1. Locked, trained by Todd A. Pletcher and ridden by John R. Velazquez, won the Aqu AlwOC (10/19/24-R1) and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 9-2. Pipeline, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Junior Alvarado, won the CD AlwOC (9/19/24-R7) and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 20-1. Señor Buscador, trained by Todd W. Fincher and ridden by Joel Rosario, finished 5th in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic G1 and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 6-1. Coastal Mission, trained by Jeff C. Runco and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica, won the 2024 Forty Niner G3 and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 12-1. Post Time, trained by Brittany T. Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell, finished 2nd in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile G1 and is in the 2024 Cigar Mile G2 with odds of 7-2.