Lawn Ranger improving ahead of BC Juvenile Turf

The winners of last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup challenge races for the Grade 1, $1 million Juvenile Turf appear headed in different directions. Lawn Ranger, who won the Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland, is on board for the Breeders’ Cup, while Full Mast, placed first in the Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp, is calling it a season.

The races were the final Win and You’re In preps for the BC Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 31.

Also over the weekend, Luck of the Kitten established himself as a major contender with his win in the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita, while International Star opened up his options by taking the Grade 3 Grey Stakes in his Polytrack debut at Woodbine.

Lawn Ranger won his second straight race in the Grade 3, $250,000 Bourbon on Sunday, with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 74. Trainer Ken McPeek said Monday that the horse is targeting the BC Juvenile Turf. Lawn Ranger debuted in August and finished second in a maiden special weight race at Ellis Park. He proceeded to win his maiden one start later at Kentucky Downs before his half-length score in the Bourbon.

“He’s still improving,” McPeek said. “He’s a horse that obviously has figured out what to do. I love the fact that he’s rating nicely. He’s got a great turn of foot. At this stage, he’s deserving of a chance.”

Full Mast was second but elevated to first in the Group 1 Lagardere in France on Sunday following the disqualification of Gleneagles. Full Mast is a son of Mizzen Mast trained by Criquette Head-Maarek.

“It is the third time with a horse in the silks of Prince Abdullah we have finished second in a Group 1 before being given first place after an inquiry,” Head-Maarek told Longchamp officials. “[Full Mast] will not run again this year. The horse is not yet fully mature. When he found himself in front and Gleneagles came to him, he didn’t really know what to do. If he hadn’t been bumped, I think he would have fought back.”

Gleneagles was placed third in the Lagardere behind Full Mast and Territories.

Luck of the Kitten invaded Santa Anita from Kentucky for the Zuma Beach and led throughout to win the one-mile race in a quick 1:34.80. The Wesley Ward-trained runner earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.

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International Star, who, like Luck of the Kitten, races for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, had been targeting the Bourbon but landed at Woodbine for the Grade 3 Grey and was a 1 1/4-length winner Sunday. One start prior, the Mike Maker-trained horse was second in the Grade 2 With Anticipation at Saratoga.