Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf: Bobby’s Kitten heads 18 pre-entrants

Bobby’s Kitten heads the list of 18 2-year-olds that were pre-entered Monday in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The field will be limited to 14 starters.

Trained by Chad Brown, Bobby’s Kitten will likely be favored in the one-mile race off his strong performance in Grade 3 Pilgrim, a Win and You’re In race in which he earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure.

The only favorite to win the Juvenile Turf since its inception in 2007 was Pounced in 2009. Last year, George Vancouver upset Noble Tune, who also was coming off a sharp win in the Pilgrim for Brown.

Bobby’s Kitten was a lot more impressive winning the Pilgrim this year, however, and he enhanced his status as the likely favorite with a sensational half-mile move in 48 seconds over the Belmont turf course last Sunday.

“It was a fabulous work,” Brown said. “I’m pretty happy with him right now.”

European-based horses have won four of the six previous runnings of the Juvenile Turf, and there is a strong contingent headed to Santa Anita this year.

[BREEDERS’ CUP 2013: See DRF’s top contenders]

Trainer Aidan O’Brien is shooting for his third straight win in the race, and he has two solid chances with Giovanni Boldini and Wilshire Boulevard.

Giovanni Boldini easily won both of his races on Polytrack at Dundalk, but showed he can handle turf and compete with top company with a solid third in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien at The Curragh.

Wilshire Boulevard is more seasoned, with seven starts. He won the Group 3 Anglesey at The Curragh and is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp.

Outstrip, trained by Charlie Appleby, won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and the 114 Racing Post Rating he received is the highest of any of the five Europeans entered. In his last start, he finished third in the Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket.

Trainer Wayne Catalano is pleased with how Grade 3 Bourbon winner Poker Player is coming up to the race. The Bourbon lost its Win and You’re In status when it was washed off the turf and moved to main track at Keeneland.

“He is doing real well right now, and I’m planning to work him on the turf at Keeneland Thursday and go from there,” he said.

Bashart will appreciate moving back to turf after a rough trip in the washed off Bourbon. He won the Grade 2 With Anticipation at Saratoga in his previous start.

Aotearoa was supplemented to the race following his win in the $100,000 Zuma Beach at Santa Anita. The $120,000 fee was covered when his owner, Paul Viskovich, picked up more than $130,000 for hitting the pick six at Santa Anita on Columbus Day.