2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile: McPeek says Rattle N Roll is a go
Provided he works to expectations over the weekend, Rattle N Roll will make his next start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 5 at Del Mar, trainer Ken McPeek said Tuesday.
“The horse is doing well right now,” McPeek said. “We’re making arrangements to go.”
In the immediate aftermath of Rattle N Roll’s authoritative six-length victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, McPeek had discussed possibly bypassing the Breeders’ Cup to await the Grade 2, $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs.
McPeek said he was just buying time to make sure the horse emerged from the race in good shape. It was his second race in 17 days.
“We just wanted a little time to mull it over,” McPeek said, noting that the Kentucky Jockey Club usually draws a large field for a purse far smaller than the BC Juvenile.
Rattle N Roll is a son of Connect who has won his last two starts after losing his first two. In his debut, at Churchill Downs, Rattle N Roll finished third to Gunite, who would go on to win the Grade 1 Hopeful. In his second start, at Saratoga, Rattle N Roll bore out on the second turn and was pulled up by jockey Jose Ortiz. McPeek said the day after that race Rattle N Roll’s left eye was closed, presumably from getting hit with dirt or debris early on in the race.
“He had significant discharge out of it after that race,” McPeek said. “Something hit him in the eye and just startled him.”
McPeek added that the bearing out “was very unusual for him.”
“He’s never done anything like that before or since,” he said. “He’s been a total pro since then.”
Brian Hernandez Jr., aboard for the last two victories, will retain the mount for the Juvenile, McPeek said.
As of Wednesday, it appeared 10 to 14 horses would be pre-entered for the Juvenile. In addition to Rattle N Roll, that list of probables includes Del Mar Futurity winner Pinehurst; American Pharoah 1-2-3 finishers Corniche, Pappacap, and Oviatt Class; Champagne 1-2 finishers Jack Christopher and Commandperformance; the Chris Davis-trained pair of American Sanctuary and Tough to Tame; and Keeneland maiden winner Giant Game. One of the Japan-based runners Jasper Krone or Jasper Great is expected to pre-enter.
Hopeful winner Gunite is in Southern California, but trainer Steve Asmussen indicated that he is doubtful to run coming off his fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Champagne. Barossa, a maiden winner at Santa Anita last Friday, is being considered and would be a potential third starter for trainer Bob Baffert.
Baffert confirmed that John Velazquez would ride Pinehurst, while Mike Smith, who had ridden Pinehurst, retains the mount on Corniche.
Sophie Doyle will ride Tough to Tame, while Florent Geroux has picked up the mount on American Sanctuary, Davis said on Steve Byk’s “At the Races” show this week.