I’m confused

As far as I’m concerned, one of the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile is Firenze Fire.  He is your prototypical one-turn miler.  Not merely a one-turn horse.  Specifically a one-turn miler.  So I have no idea why he is passing on the Kelso, a one-turn mile at Belmont, in favor of the Gallant Bob at Parx at 6 furlongs.  Both have a purse of $300k.  I read a quote from Jason Servis where he said the Gallant Bob is restricted to 3-year-olds, where the Kelso is not.  I am not sure why that matters, especially if the goal at this point, according to Servis, is either the BC Dirt Mile or Sprint.  He’ll have to face older in both, obviously.  And I don’t think he has anywhere near the chance in the Sprint that he does in the Dirt Mile.  So why not give him a run against older now?

Now, does Servis think this race at 6 furlongs will set him up for the Dirt Mile?  Maybe.

Does he just want to find out if Firenze Fire can close effectively at the BC Sprint distance before making a final decision?  Maybe.

Does he want to avoid Battle of Midway while taking one more crack at a big purse in a race restricted to 3-year-olds?  Maybe.

I dunno.  Who am I to question Jason Servis?  But this seems like, at the very least, an interesting decision.