Europeans earn strong presence in BC Juvenile Turf

Four European 2-year-olds – led by Aidan O’Brien-trained Master of Hounds, the third-place finisher in the Group 1 Racing Trophy on Oct. 23 at Doncaster – were among seven horses chosen by the Breeders’ Cup Selection Committee among 19 pre-entries for the $1 million Juvenile Turf.

The seven committee selections, coming in a mile race limited to 14 starters, join Air Support, Rogue Romance, and Pluck, three horses that won Win and You’re In preps, and four others that gained automatic entry based on Breeders’ Cup points accumulated by recording top-three finishes in America graded stakes races.

Favoritism should tilt toward the Europeans, with Master of Hounds likely to start as the public choice. Twice Group 3-placed Dux Scholar, and Mantoba, a $90,000 supplement, are also likely to attract support.

The other European pre-entry, Biondetti, was cross entered in the Juvenile, a race listed as his first preference.
Also cross entered in the Juvenile with a first preference to that race was Rogue Romance, the last-to-first winner of the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 10.

Provided their connections stick to those preferences when final entries are made next Tuesday, Typhoon Slew and Rough Sailing, the first alternatives as chosen by the Breeders’ Cup Selection Committee, would gain entry to the Juvenile Turf.

Next in line, in order of preference by the selection committee, are Silver Medallion and Humble and Hungry. Premier Pegasus was pre-entered but scratched, according to the Breeders’ Cup.

Noticeably absent from the pre-entries was Cozy Kitten, the Bourbon Stakes runner-up. He has a tender shin and will be pointed toward a 3-year-old campaign, trainer Wesley Ward said.

Ward still has another representative for the Juvenile Turf in stretch-out sprinter Madman Diaries, the likely pacesetter but a horse unraced on grass.