Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Honor Code out; Tap It Rich and New Year’s Day likely to be pre-entered for Baffert

Two developments last week dramatically changed the complexion of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

First, the connections of Champagne runner-up Honor Code announced on Oct. 10 that they would skip the Breeders’ Cup and point to the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 30.

Second, Tap It Rich, on Oct. 12, announced his presence as a serious player in the division by winning his career debut by 4 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita. Overcoming a slow start and a wide trip, Tap It Rich was most impressive without ever feeling the whip from jockey Mike Smith. He ran a mile in 1:36.78 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

“He came back he wasn’t blowing hard,” trainer Bob Baffert said Monday. “It was a freaky kind of race; he’s a freaky kind of horse.”

He might have to be a freak to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile just three weeks after making his debut. Baffert said the fact he doesn’t have to ship Tap It Rich makes it easier to run him. Back in 2003, when the Breeders’ Cup was held at Santa Anita, Action This Day won the Juvenile four weeks after winning his maiden – in his second career start – at Santa Anita.

“So far I have not seen anything that would tell me not to do it,” Baffert said. “He’s really a handful; he’s so well put together.”

Baffert also plans to pre-enter New Year’s Day, who won a maiden race at Del Mar on Aug. 31 but who missed the Grade 1 FrontRunner on Sept. 28 due to a cough. On Monday, New Year’s Day worked six furlongs in 1:11.40 from the starting gate at Santa Anita.

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“That’s two good horses,” Baffert said. “I’m preparing them both to run in the Breeders’ Cup if they get in.”

Pre-entries are due on Oct. 21 and as of Monday it did not appear as though the field for the Juvenile would oversubscribe.

Those considered definite to pre-enter on Monday include Bond Holder, Cleburne, Dance With Fate, Diamond Bachelor, Havana, Strong Mandate, and We Miss Artie. Ami’s Holiday and Mexikoma are possible, though far from definite.

Trainer Patrick Biancone said Monday that Diamond Bachelor would be cross-entered in both the Juvenile and Juvenile Turf. Diamond Bachelor, a son of War Front, has made all three of his starts on turf, but has been training well enough on dirt at Santa Anita to give his connections something to consider.

“He’s training really well; we’re happy with him,” Biancone said. “He’s going to be cross-entered and from there I’ll talk to my owners and see what they want to do.”