LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Dual Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti secured a spot in the Breeders' Cup, winning the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday at Keeneland.

Sent off as the 4-to-5 favorite, the champion gained control late under jockey Ramon Dominguez to beat Society's Chairman by a length, running a mile on the firm turf in 1:23.65.

The Christophe Clement trainee paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10, Society's Chairman returned $8.00 and $3.40, and Courageous Cat paid $2.80 to show.

One race earlier, J.B.'s Thunder led a well-matched field of 11 juveniles nearly gate to wire in the $400,000 Dixiana Breeders' Futurity. J.B.'s Thunder paid $13.60, $7.20 and $5, Santiva returned $7.80 and $5.20, and Willcox Inn paid $5.60 to show.

Juddmonte Farms' Proviso earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile, beating C.S. Silk by a half-length in the $400,000 The Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes. Proviso, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Mike Smith, ran a mile in 1:34.81, and paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.10 for her fourth straight Grade I victory. C.S. Silk returned $13 and $8.40, and Gotta Have Her paid $4.40 to show.

The connections of Gio Ponti have an interesting dilemma on their hands because they secured an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile, but also are considering the Breeders' Cup Classic, a race in which Gio Ponti finished second to Zenyatta last year.

"We have a very interesting debate, myself and (trainer) Christophe (Clement)," Castleton Lyons Farm owner Shane Ryan said. "We'll see. We'll see. They're both great fillies (Zenyatta, who is pointed at the Classic, and Godlike (Ire, who is expected in the Mile) and both great races. If we go in either one and are lucky enough to get in the picture, we'll be very happy either way."

In the Shadwell Turf Mile, Gio Ponti, breaking from post four under Dominquez, settled next to last as Acting Zippy led the field of six through fractions of 24.22 and 47.98 for the first half-mile. With little urging, the champion placed himself into contention rounding the turn for home, battled briefly with Courageous Cat before shaking clear to edger Society's Chairman.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he's the best turf horse in the country," Clement said. "I believe he has 22 starts; he's won half of them and he's a remarkable horse."

Gio Ponti improved his career bankroll to $4,677,800 with his 11th victory from 22 career starts.

Proviso earned an automatic berth to the Filly and Mare Turf with her fast-closing victory, but should she run in the Breeders' Cup, she would go in the Breeders' Cup Mile, according to trainer Bill Mott.

Columbine Stable's J.B.'s Thunder is only "50-50" to make the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, according to trainer Al Stall Jr., despite earning the berth with his gate to wire win.