Pathfork headed to BC Juvenile

Ireland’s leading juvenile, Pathfork is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The winner of the seven-furlong, Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Sept. 11, the unbeaten son of Distorted Humor will make his first start on dirt at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6 for his trainer, Jessica Harrington, for whom he has also won the Curragh’s seven-furlong Group 2 Futurity Stakes.

With Pathfork having earned a superb Racing Post Rating of 119 for his win in the Vincent O’Brien National, Harrington delayed a decision on Pathfork’s next race until after she had arrived at Keeneland last week for the September yearling sale, when she would have an opportunity to discuss matters with the horse’s American owners, Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton of Silverton Hill Partnership.

Bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings, Pathfork was purchased by the Hamilton’s at last year’s Keeneland September Sale for $230,000. To date, his three victories have earned him $237,521. European raiders have had some success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Arazi winning at Churchill Downs in 1991, Johannesburg at Belmont Park in 2001, and Wilko at Lone Star Park in 2004. Eltish also finished second in the 1994 renewal at Churchill Downs, while Tagel was third in 1988 at Churchill.-Alan Shuback