Juveniles audition for Breeders’ Cup in Bourbon Stakes

The Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland hasn’t produced a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner since 2007, when Nownownow finished second in the Bourbon before winning the inaugural edition of the Breeders’ Cup race at Monmouth Park. The Juvenile Turf has since been dominated by runners prepared in Europe.

This year, however, the Bourbon offers added allure for the domestic contingent. The Grade 3, $250,000 event offers the winner an automatic berth in the Juvenile Turf on Oct. 30 at Keeneland – and since it is contested on the same course and at the same 1 1/16-mile distance, it offers a true road test. And so, the Bourbon has drawn an overflow field of 16 – with Uncle Brennie and Expected Ruler the lone stakes winners in the 14-horse main body of the field.

Uncle Brennie is more tested on the surface and at the distance, having made all three of his starts at a mile on turf for trainer Brad Cox. He finished second in his debut at Ellis Park behind the well-regarded Meeteetse Fly before winning his second start at that track and the Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

Expected Ruler, meanwhile, has experimented with both surface and distance. After winning his debut in the Tyro Stakes at five furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf, he stretched out to 1 1/16 miles on dirt for the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes. That backfired, as he pressed the pace before beating a steady retreat to last. The blinkers come off as the colt now tries a route on turf.

Expected Ruler is trained by 20-year-old University of Louisville student Liam Benson.

Among the maiden winners who make up the bulk of the field is Camelot Kitten, who rallied to win his debut at Belmont Park. The colt is a full brother to Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten. Saratoga maiden winner Unbridled Daddy is Grade 2-placed, while Mark Casse has a pair of impressive Kentucky Downs debut winners in Siding Spring and Airoforce.

Key Contenders

Uncle Brennie (Career Beyers: 74-60-48)

◗ Will need to use any tactical speed early, as he is drawn on the rail under Chris Landeros.

Expected Ruler (Career Beyers: 28-79)

◗ Son of turf champion Leroidesanimaux is well drawn in post 7 under Didiel Osorio.

Unbridled Daddy (Career Beyers: 72-71-69)

◗ Won his maiden at Saratoga over Azar, then finished third to that quality rival in the Grade 2 With Anticipation.

Camelot Kitten (Career Beyer: 72)

◗ Impressive debut winner at Belmont for Chad Brown is a full brother to the accomplished Bobby’s Kitten.

Siding Spring (Career Beyer: 75)

◗ Won Kentucky Downs turf debut by six lengths going a mile.

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Airoforce (Career Beyer: 76)

◗ Won Kentucky Downs turf debut by 3 1/4 lengths going six furlongs.

Hot Ore (Last 3 Beyers: 79-72-53)

◗ Finished second in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf last out.

Site Read (Career Beyers: 67-82)

◗ Earned a high debut Beyer on Saratoga turf with a 4 1/2-length win, then finished fourth in the With Anticipation.