Brown adds two more to Breeders' Cup contingent

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Chad Brown on Monday said he pre-entered 14 horses for this year’s Breeders’ Cup – to be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland – adding two horses to his lineup who just won maiden races over the weekend.

Brown pre-entered Catapult, a 2-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy who won Sunday’s last race by 1 1/4 lengths, in the $1 million Juvenile Turf, and Pricedtoperfection, a 2-year-old daughter of Temple City who won a maiden race Saturday by three lengths, to the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf. Neither is guaranteed to crack the field for those races, which figure to oversubscribe, but Brown felt both deserved the chance to run if they get in.

“The horse looked like he didn’t do anything,” Brown said Monday morning of Catapult, who earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure. “It’s a shame he got started so late. He’s a top colt.

Catapult was one of four winners Brown saddled on Sunday’s card at Belmont Park – all ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. – as he opened up a 25-12 lead over Todd Pletcher for leading honors in the trainer standings with two weeks remaining in the fall meet.

On Saturday, Pricedtoperfection, a full-sister to Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup runner-up Miss Temple City, won a 1 1/16-mile maiden race by three lengths, earning a 73 Beyer Speed Figure. She had finished third to Tin Type Gal at Saratoga in her debut, then missed the Miss Grillo – won by Tin Type Gal – due to a bruised foot.

“We always thought she was one of our best 2-year-old filly prospects,” Brown said. “She had a wide trip to Tin Type Gal and probably should have beaten her in a maiden race. She got a much better trip this time and won.”

Brown said he pre-entered three horses in each of four races: Big Blue Kitten, Slumber and Shining Copper in the $3 million Turf; Dacita, Stephanie’s Kitten, Watsdachances in the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf; Camelot Kitten, Catapult and Ray’s the Bar in the $1 million Juvenile Turf; Last Waltz, Llanita and Pricedtoperfection in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf. Brown said he also pre-entered defending BC Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten in the Turf Sprint and Wavell Avenue in the Filly and Mare Sprint.