Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Euros figure to make big impact

At this point of the season, the 2-year-old divisions are very much works 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?

Of the eight winners of the Juvenile Turf since the race was added to the Breeders’ Cup program in 2007, six made their final prior start outside of North America, including the last four. This includes last year’s winner, Hootenanny, who was based in Kentucky for Wesley Ward but campaigned extensively in Europe as a juvenile.

This year, the international contingent is somewhat in flux thanks to the weather in Europe. For example, Buratino has targeted the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes this weekend at Newmarket as his major objective. If the course comes up soft, he will instead be rerouted to the Juvenile Turf. The winner of the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Buratino likely would be among the favorites in the Juvenile Turf.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2015: See DRF’s top contenders

International trainer Aidan O’Brien is sorting through his massive contingent of juveniles. While the stable’s brightest stars – such as multiple Group 1 winner Air Force Blue – will remain in Europe with a strict focus on next spring’s classics, other O’Brien runners, such as Group 2-placed Air Vice Marshal and stakes winner Washington DC, are still possible for the Juvenile Turf and would loom large.

Closer to home, many questions will be answered in the next two weeks with a pair of key prep races – the Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes this Saturday at Belmont Park and the Grade 3, $250,000 Bourbon Stakes on Oct. 4 at Breeders’ Cup host track Keeneland. The Bourbon is a Win and You’re In automatic qualifier for the Juvenile Turf.

The Pilgrim is expected to be headlined by Azar and Next Shares, the one-two finishers in the Grade 2 With Anticipation Stakes on Sept. 2 at Saratoga. Azar won his maiden in that event, getting up to win by three-quarters of a length despite being bumped at the start and altering course late. He had finished a close second in his two-turn debut in his prior start.

“I thought it was a big effort for a maiden to win a stakes,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He seems to have improved with each start, so I hope he continues on that pattern.”

:: Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Results, replays, charts, and more

Although still a maiden, Next Shares has lost each of his starts by less than one length. The Pilgrim is also expected to include Ray’s the Bar, a British import who won his debut at Ascot in July, and Saratoga maiden winners Eidmilaad, Highland Sky, and Isotherm.

The Bourbon, with a hefty 51 nominations, could produce a number of starters for the Juvenile Turf. Among those looking to punch his ticket is Camelot Kitten, who rallied impressively to win his debut at Belmont Park on Sept. 12. The colt is a full brother to 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten.

Other potential starters for the Bourbon are Kentucky Downs Juvenile winner Cajun Schill and Sky Marshal, the runner-up in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes.

Conquest Daddyo, the winner of the Summer, is training up to the Breeders’ Cup. Conquest Daddyo liked the “good” turf at Woodbine in the Summer Stakes, said trainer Mark Casse.

“I think, more than likely, Keeneland’s turf is going to have a little give in it, and I think it’ll set up nice for him,” Casse said.