Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: Soldier's Call especially precocious

Most of the leading candidates for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint are heading into the race off victories in their final prep races, including the Win and You’re In qualifiers. But one of the strongest candidates for the race may have turned in his most impressive performance in defeat recently.

Soldier’s Call has been considered a candidate for the Juvenile Turf Sprint throughout the season and would be one of the leading European-based candidates taking advantage of this additional opportunity at the Breeders’ Cup. The consistent Showcasing colt, already a multiple group stakes winner, finished an admirable third against older foes in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye on Oct. 7 in France, beaten less than a neck by Mabs Cross and Gold Vibe.

“The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is under consideration for Soldier’s Call, as long as I’m happy with him,” trainer Archie Watson told the British press. “He’s come out of that race very well. It was a brilliant performance to come so close to winning a Group 1 as a 2-year-old against older opposition.”

Earlier this year, Soldier’s Call won the Windsor Castle Stakes at the renowned Royal Ascot meeting, then won the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg in France and the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes in England.

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Another European juvenile mentioned for the new Breeders’ Cup race is Signora Cabello. The filly won the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin in France and was second in the Group 1 Prix Morny. However, she is likely done for the season after finishing a nonthreatening 10th in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes.

“She obviously didn’t run her race in any shape or form, but she’s had a hard year and has been to all the big gigs. It was a step too far,” trainer John Quinn told the British press. “I’d say she’s had enough for the year.”

Phoenix Thoroughbreds, which co-owns Signora Cabello, could still have a European-based Juvenile Turf Sprint entrant in Pocket Dynamo. It purchased the colt after his close second to Shang Shang Shang in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot specifically to target the fall event. However, he has finished off the board in a pair of group stakes events since then.

Meanwhile, Fairyland, the impressive winner of the prestigious Cheveley Park, is another filly who is likely done for this season.

“We probably won’t run her again; she’s had a tough enough time,” trainer Aidan O’Brien told racetrack publicity after that race.

O’Brien still has a Juvenile Turf Sprint candidate in Land Force, who finished third in the Norfolk and won the Group 2 Richmond Stakes in England over the summer.

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