Oviatt Class will try to turn on the speed in Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Oviatt Class closed from last of seven to finish third in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 1.

His next start comes in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at the same distance at Del Mar on Nov. 5, and trainer Keith Desormeaux expects Oviatt Class to use a slightly different tactic.

“The horse is so laid back he let himself get too far back,” Desormeaux said. “I believe he can stay a little closer.”

:: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.

Owned by James Downey, Oviatt Class closed from eighth of nine to win a maiden special weight race by 4 1/4 lengths going a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 27.

“We’re shooting for the stars with him,” Desormeaux said of the BC Juvenile. “We’re fully in preparation.”

Desormeaux, 54, knows what it takes to win the BC Juvenile, having done so in 2014 with Texas Red, a 13-1 upsetter. Texas Red finished third behind American Pharoah in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita in his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. American Pharoah did not start in the BC Juvenile.

The FrontRunner was renamed the American Pharoah Stakes in 2018 in honor of the 2015 Triple Crown winner.