Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: O'Brien mulling his options

With four wins in 11 renewals of the race, trainer Aidan O’Brien knows what it takes to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. That doesn’t mean he yet knows whom he’s taking to the race this year.

“We really don’t know about the mile turf for boys just yet,” O’Brien said Tuesday in a phone conversation, referring to the Juvenile Turf, contested over one mile on the relatively tight Churchill Downs grass course Nov. 2.

O’Brien did rule a couple of horses out of the race, notably Anthony Van Dyck, who was third last weekend in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and as of now sits at the head of O’Brien’s class of 2-year-old males. Another colt not making the Louisville trip is Mohawk, who ran poorly in the Dewhurst after winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race for the Juvenile Turf.

O’Brien, however, deemed Royal Lodge runner-up Sydney Opera House a possible Juvenile Turf runner. Sydney Opera House appeared to be taking up pacemaking duties in the Royal Lodge but held well enough for second, making him reminiscent of Lancaster Bomber, a pacesetting second at a huge price in the 2016 Dewhurst but then also second in the Juvenile Turf.

Also possible for the Juvenile Turf is Broome, who on the surface would appear to be the Ballydoyle “A” Team if, indeed, he and Sydney Opera House (both are by Coolmore’s young sire Australia) prove the chosen two. Broome raced unprofessionally in the Acomb Stakes, finishing sixth, but followed up with a second in the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and was second by a neck to Royal Marine in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe undercard Oct. 7.

Royal Marine was reported shortly after the Lagardere to be done for the season, but Saeed bin Suroor, who trains the colt for Godolphin, at least cracked the door early this week on another start at age 2. Bin Suroor mentioned that Royal Marine had at least theoretical options in the Juvenile Turf as well as in France next month, though it will surprise few if the colt’s next start comes in Dubai this winter.

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Meanwhile, Team Valor International disseminated some information Tuesday on their Juvenile Turf hope, The Black Album, who was purchased with the Breeders’ Cup in mind after winning the Group 3 Prix la Rochette on Sept. 2. Jane Soubagne, a trainer little known in America, worked The Black Album seven furlongs at her home base, Le Teste de Buche, his major breeze for the Juvenile Turf.

The Black Album will spend several days training in Chantilly, then travel to England for his transatlantic flight. Following the Breeders’ Cup, The Black Album will move into the barn of trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who trains Talk Veuve to Me for majority owner Team Valor.

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