The last time the Breeders’ Cup was in California, trainer Todd Pletcher got his first win in the Classic, with Vino Rosso. He is desirous of having two runners in this year’s race at Del Mar, but as the Nov. 6 race approaches, the chances of Dr Post and Happy Saver making the Classic may be withering on the vine.
With trainer Wesley Ward off-site, it was up to Julio Garcia to give John Velazquez the barn’s instructions before he took a leg up for the first time on 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal for the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes last Saturday at Keeneland.
Garcia was a fitting deputy. A former jockey, he set records riding in Puerto Rico in the 1980s and was an early inspiration for Velazquez.
Juju’s Map became one of the favorites for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies by winning the Grade 1 Alcibiades last Friday at Keeneland, a 4 1/4-length jaunt that graded out to an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
“She took that big step up, did everything the right way,” said her trainer, Brad Cox. “She’s got a big task ahead of her, but she’s a nice filly and we’re excited about her.”
Juju’s Map, by Liam’s Map, is the first horse Cox has trained for the Albaugh Family Stables of Iowa.
It was 20 years ago Brazilian native Paulo Lobo began training in North America. He’s gotten two horses – Farda Amiga in the 2002 Distaff and Ivar in the 2020 Mile – into the Breeders’ Cup, but Nov. 6 at Del Mar, Lobo will have two live chances in a single Breeders’ Cup race.
Ivar, fourth in the Mile last year, will be at Del Mar for a second shot at the race, and Lobo also saddles In Love, who earned guaranteed fees-paid entry into the Mile when he upset the Grade 1, $700,000 Keeneland Turf Mile on Saturday.
The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint was run last year at Keeneland with a field of eight. The Nov. 6 renewal at Del Mar might not even get that many.
With numerous would-be prospects dropping out in recent days, including Sconsin, the prospective lineup for the $1 million BC Filly and Mare Sprint has distilled into no more than five horses with realistic chances. It’s topped by Gamine, the 2020 winner, who once again figures as a heavy favorite for the seven-furlong race, with her confirmed challengers being Bella Sofia, Ce Ce, Edgeway, and possibly Bell’s the One.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Owner-trainer Brandon Greer said Wednesday his Woodbine Mile winner Town Cruise won’t be going to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile after all. He has decided to run him in the Grade 2 Nearctic at Woodbine on Sunday instead.
“We made the decision [Tuesday] night,” Greer said. “We’re a small barn, and it’s a bit too much of an undertaking for us. We’re just not ready for that sort of thing. It has nothing to do with the horse. He’s quite happy these days. He’s been just excellent.”
In this season of predictable prep races, it was fitting that the final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff unfolded exactly as expected – heavily favored Letruska leading wire to wire in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes on Sunday at Keeneland.
Letruska, who has won seven graded stakes at seven tracks over the past year, faces one more challenge Nov. 6 when she races at Del Mar for the first time.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Over the last three weekends, trainer Chad Brown has won seven graded stakes, run first and second in four of them, and has seen his potential roster for the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar increase significantly.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Paulo Lobo loves it in Kentucky, and why wouldn’t he? The Brazil native has produced his finest work as a Thoroughbred trainer in the Bluegrass State, with the latest being a 12-1 upset Saturday in the Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile with a 5-year-old gelding named In Love.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Trainer Ken McPeek emerged from the summer race meetings with a bevy of promising juveniles, and nominated three, Lucky Boss, Rattle N Roll, and Tiz the Bomb, to the Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.
“I had one of those high-level dilemmas,” McPeek said of sorting out his youngsters.
