LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Gio Ponti will run in the Breeders' Cup Mile rather than take another shot against unbeaten Zenyatta in the Classic.

Castleton Lyons president Shane Ryan said the 5-year-old horse's performance during a victory on the turf in the Shadwell Stakes at Keeneland last month led to the decision.

``It is due to this professional performance that we feel we must take on the best milers in the world,'' Ryan said.

That means trading one daunting mare for another. Rather than face Zenyatta, who will attempt to end her career a perfect 20-0 by repeating in the Classic, Gio Ponti will take on two-time defending Mile champion Goldikova.

Gio Ponti nearly held off Zenyatta in the last year's Classic on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita before being beaten by a length in the final yards. He was pre-entered in both the Classic and the Mile.

``I'm not sure which filly is more feared Goldikova or Zenyatta, either way neither race is a picnic,'' Ryan said. ``We are very much looking forward to the challenge.''

Gio Ponti has 22 career starts, none of them on dirt.