The power of Saratoga is likely to be reflected on the Churchill Downs tote board when Dynazar and Silverpocketsfull go postward as top contenders in the Friday feature when returning from one-and-done action at the Spa.
The Monmouth Park season concludes Sunday and New Jersey racing will shift to the Meadowlands on Thursday, Oct. 1, for a 13-day all-turf meet.
Trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero said he has “backed off” Social Inclusion and that the horse likely will not race again until this winter at Gulfstream Park.
Ben’s Cat came out of his fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap at Parx Racing on Sept. 7 in good condition and might make his next start on the Oct. 17 Maryland Million card at Laurel Park.
I’m a Chatterbox earned a start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last weekend by winning the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Racing. Her trainer, Larry Jones, plans to give his other top 3-year-old filly Lovely Maria a chance to join her.
Catch a Glimpse will take advantage of the expenses-paid berth in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf that she earned by winning the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine on Sept. 12.
West Coast-based horses have won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile seven of the last 13 years, including the last two with Texas Red and New Year’s Day. Though it’s still early, that trend of West Coast domination could very well continue in the $2 million Juvenile at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
If only out of deference to her last two performances in this race – she was the runner-up in 2013 and the winner last year at Santa Anita – Judy the Beauty leads the roll call for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
At this early juncture, the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 31 has the look of a classic East vs. West matchup. Songbird’s 5 1/4-length romp in the Del Mar Debutante made her the clear leader of the West Coast division. She will be a heavy favorite for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita on Saturday.
At this point of the season, the 2-year-old divisions are very much a work in progress. The field for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is no exception, with the most pressing question, just over five weeks out, being: Which Europeans will show up?
