Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint likely spot for Tyler's Tribe

The undefeated and untested Tyler’s Tribe emerged from his easy win in the $100,000 Iowa Cradle on Saturday night at Prairie Meadows in good order and will likely make his next start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, trainer Tim Martin said Monday.

Tyler’s Tribe also has been under consideration for the $2 million BC Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles on the same Nov. 4 card at Keeneland. Martin on Monday did not rule out the possibility of pre-entering the horse in both spots on Oct. 24.

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Tyler’s Tribe has raced exclusively at one turn and on dirt, winning his five starts by a combined margin of 59 3/4 lengths. Martin said the Juvenile has been an option as a main-track race that ends at the first finish line at Keeneland.

But the trainer said the Juvenile Turf Sprint became the more probable course of action following the Cradle. He had stewards’ permission to work Tyler’s Tribe past the wire following the six-furlong race, won in hand in 1:09.74. But the workout ended up being more of a gallop-out, and Martin said he could not get the kind of line he wanted on Tyler’s Tribe ability to go longer.

Tyler’s Tribe is scheduled to ship to Keeneland on Tuesday. Martin will have a 10-horse division at the track. He said he hopes to work Tyler’s Tribe on the grass at Keeneland. Tyler’s Tribe’s main asset is speed, and there are aspects of the horse’s pedigree that suggest he will like the turf.

“As fast as he is, if he likes that turf, he’s really going to be fast,” Martin said.

Kylee Jordan, who won the riding title Sunday at Prairie Meadows, has the mount in the Breeders’ Cup, Martin said. She is 5 for 5 on Tyler’s Tribe. Martin owns the horse with Thomas Lepic.

Ain’t Life Grand eyes Fayette

Ain’t Life Grand could see action next at Keeneland following his dominant win in the $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby on Saturday night at Prairie Meadows. He won by 13 1/4 lengths one start after running seventh in the Travers. Ain’t Life Grand earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

“The performance was what we were looking for, maybe even better,” trainer Kelly Von Hemel said Monday. “He just ran a super race and came out of it in great shape.”

Von Hemel said Monday that serious consideration is being given to starting Ain’t Life Grand in the Grade 2, $350,000 Fayette for 3-year-olds and up Oct. 29 at Keeneland. It will be run over 1 1/8 miles, a distance he said he likes for Ain’t Life Grand.

“The Fayette is a logical spot,” Von Hemel said.

Other options later in the year include the $200,000 Tinsel at the same distance at Oaklawn. It is for 3-year-olds and up on Dec. 17. The $250,000 Zia Park Derby at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 22 also would be a consideration, Von Hemel said.

Ain’t Life Grand put an exclamation point on a memorable Prairie Meadows meet with his romping win in the Breeders’ Derby. Earlier in the season, he won the $300,000 Iowa Derby and the $90,000 Iowa Stallion Stakes. He races for his breeder, RPM Thoroughbreds.

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