International Star seeks cleaner trip in Bourbon

International Star had a less-than-ideal trip when second in the With Anticipation Stakes, which could prove to be a key North American prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 31. His trainer, Mike Maker, is hoping for smoother sailing Sunday, when International Star starts in the Grade 3, $250,000 Bourbon at Keeneland.

The Bourbon and the Group 1 Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp, also on Sunday, are the final Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races for the Juvenile Turf. Both stakes could draw large fields, with 12 still eligible for the Lagardere as of Wednesday and Keeneland officials working with 13 probables from 55 nominations to the 1 1/16-mile Bourbon.

International Star was making his two-turn debut in the Grade 2 With Anticipation at Saratoga on Aug. 28 and launched a convincing bid past the half-mile pole. He moved toward the front in the stretch, but as he was advancing, he was forced to check. Startup Nation, meanwhile, went on to a 4 1/2-length win over International Star and earned the division’s best Beyer Speed Figure to date, an 85.

“He had pretty significant trouble,” said Maker, who trains International Star for Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

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International Star is now based in Kentucky, and Maker said Rosie Napravnik would be aboard the horse Sunday.

“He’s done really well,” Maker said. “Nothing out of character since the last race.”

International Star won his debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on turf at Belmont in June. He then ran second in a New York-bred stakes on dirt before stretching out for the With Anticipation. Maker said the horse is the barn’s candidate for the one-mile BC Juvenile Turf.

“He was a ready to go early in his 2-year-old year,” he said. “I think the mile will suit him fine.”

Bourbon probables also include Kentucky Downs stakes winner Croninthebarbarian and Hootenanny, who was second in the Group 1 Morny at Deauville in his most recent start Aug. 24.

The Wow Signal, the winner of the Morny, is among the horses still eligible for the Lagardere. The about-seven-furlong race will be run on the undercard of the Prix de l’Arc Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Other horses eligible include Group 1 winner Gleneagles; Group 3 winners Aktabantay, Dutch Connection, Ervedya, and Full Mast; and promising stakes winner Nucifera.

◗ Cyclogenisis earned an 83 Beyer last Saturday for his win in the $100,000 Laurel Futurity at 5 1/2 furlongs on grass. The number is tied for the second-highest put up by a 2-year-old male on turf this year. Mostly Mozart earned the same Beyer for a $62,500 maiden-claiming win at Arlington on Sept. 20.