Key contenders for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Airoforce (Last 2 Beyers: 80-78)
• Airoforce successfully stretched out from his maiden victory at six furlongs to take the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes, Keeneland’s local prep for this event, at 1 1/16 miles. The Bourbon was run over a course rated “yielding.” With Lexington getting significant rain early in Breeders’ Cup week, he is likely to get a soft course Friday.

Conquest Daddyo (Last 3 Beyers: 83-69-59)
• Trainer Mark Casse, who also trains Airoforce, believes some cut in the ground would also suit this colt.
• The colt owns this field’s top last-out Beyer Speed Figure, an 83 earned in winning the Grade 2 Summer Stakes last month.

Cymric (No Beyers)
• The favorite is coming off a runner-up effort to the unbeaten Ultra in a Group 1 event in France going a mile.
• Colt is a son of turf champion and leading sire Kitten’s Joy and was bred in Kentucky.

Azar (Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-69)
• Colt who has seemingly improved with each start has been energetic and forward-going in his training at Keeneland. If you like him, consider stablemate Thrilled in the Juvenile Fillies Turf later in the card; the two are regular workmates and typically finish up on even terms.
• Might find his hand forced early, as he is drawn to the inside of the gate and directly between two speed horses.

Camelot Kitten (Last 2 Beyers: 74-72)
• Colt went straight from his maiden victory to a rallying runner-up effort in the Bourbon. He is likely to have an even better pace to rally into here but has appeared somewhat unenthusiastic in recent gallops.
• Colt is a full sibling to 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten; a victory here would make their dam just the fourth mare to produce two individual Breeders’ Cup winners.

Hit It a Bomb (No Beyers)
• Unbeaten colt seemed more impressive in his victory on synthetic, which he won by open lengths, than his lone start on turf.

Birchwood (No Beyers)
• Finished third to Air Force Blue, Europe’s top juvenile, in Group 1 competition in Ireland last time out.
• Has already made six starts this year, none beyond seven furlongs.

Dressed in Hermes (Last 3 Beyers: 76-77-62)
• Turned in a sparkling final work at Keeneland, going four furlongs in a bullet 46.20 while not under strong urging.
• Will be a pace factor from the rail position.

Hollywood Don (Last 3 Beyers: 68-82-80)
• Colt has won two of three starts on turf and is eligible for a rebound as he gets back on his preferred surface here.

Manhattan Dan (Last 3 Beyers: 75-85-72)
• Will be part of the pace scenario; he led early in the Summer Stakes before fading to third.
• Owns the field’s top career Beyer with an 85.