Vella likes Channel Maker’s chances in BC Juvenile Turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Daniel Vella will return to the Breeders’ Cup for the first time since 2010 when he sends out Channel Maker in the Juvenile Turf on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

“We’re going to go to the big dance and see just how good he is,” Vella said. “We had a bit of a troubled trip last time, and I think we’re competitive, so we’re going.”

Channel Maker was third to Good Samaritan in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes here Sept. 18 after lacking running room in the stretch. Vella said the idea of going to the Breeders’ Cup with Channel Maker had always been on the table.

“I think [that] horse of Billy Mott’s [Good Samaritan] that beat us here is going to be the favorite,” Vella said. “When you start watching and figure the horse that beats you is going to be the favorite, it kind of makes you know that you belong.”

Vella has made four previous trips to the Breeders’ Cup; his best finish came in the 1996 Juvenile, where Cash Deposit finished fourth.

Vella’s most recent Breeders’ Cup starter was in the 2010 Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs, where Wyomia finished sixth.

Vella said Channel Maker has been training well since the Summer.

“He just keeps getting better all the time,” Vella said. “He’s kind of a big, free-running horse. He’s still a little green. They’re young horses. Things didn’t go right for us the last time, but anytime you run, especially with young horses, it’s about the trip a lot. If we get a good trip, we can win a race like this.”

Vella said Channel Maker will ship to Santa Anita on Saturday. The 2-year-old son of English Channel will van down to Kentucky before boarding a plane to California.