Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Likely favorites land outside in full field

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A murky picture for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf got even murkier on Monday, as the likely favorites landed the two outside posts in an overflow field.

Group 1-placed Cymric landed post 13 under William Buick, while unbeaten Hit It a Bomb is drawn in post 14 under Ryan Moore. Both colts are part of a well-regarded international contingent for the Juvenile Turf, a race that has been dominated by ship-ins. Cymric, trained by John Gosden, was recently bested just a neck in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in France, while Hit It a Bomb – is coming off a 4 1/2-length score in a minor stakes at Dundalk for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Of the leading domestic contenders for the one-mile turf race set to be run on Friday at Keeneland, Azar took the worst of things, as the Grade 2 winner landed in post 2 in the large field. With pace influences Dressed in Hermes and Manhattan Dan drawn in posts 1 and 3, respectively, a swift pace seems ensured for the closers – and Azar’s hand may be forced.

Grade 2 winner Conquest Daddyo drew post 10, while Grade 3 winner Airoforce drew post 8. Both colts earned automatic berths into the Juvenile Turf via victories in Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In events.

From the rail out, the field includes: Dressed in Hermes, Azar, Manhattan Dan, Shogun, Highland Sky, Birchwood, Ray’s the Bar, Airoforce, Sky Marshal, Conquest Daddyo, Hollywood Don, Camelot Kitten, Cymric, and Hit It a Bomb.

Sheikh of Sheikhs, who would be trying turf for the first time, was installed as the also-eligible and excluded from the main body of the field at draw time. He will need to draw into the field by scratch time on Friday morning in order to run.