Heeere's Johnny under consideration for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
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Trainer Ray Handal went into last week’s Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes saying the only way he would consider the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf for Heeere’s Johnny were if he won or ran a bang-up race.
Well, Heeere’s Johnny didn’t win, but he certainly ran a bang-up second, finishing a head behind Bottas. It was the third straight second-place finish for Heeere’s Johnny, following runner-up finishes behind Final Score in a maiden race at Saratoga and the Grade 3 With Anticipation, also at Saratoga. Final Score came back to win Sunday’s Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland, keeping him undefeated on turf.
Despite his maiden status, Heeere’s Johnny has six Breeders’ Cup points, which should be enough to get him into the field or at least be selected by a panel of racing directors and racing secretaries.
“I think we’re going to go,” Handal said. “I said the only way we’d go is if he ran literally like he did, a bang-up race. They got a big number, I don’t think there’s many other American horses that have run as big as he has.”
Handal said he would likely keep Heeere’s Johnny at Belmont Park to train and get his final workouts in before shipping to California.
Heeere’s Johnny is a son of Oscar Performance, the 2016 Juvenile Turf winner. He would be the first BC starter for Handal.
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