BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY
PREVIEWS
BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF
(G1), 7TH-SA, $1,000,000, 2YO, C/G, 1MT, 5:25PM, 11-1
| PP | HORSE | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS | ||||
| 1 | ALL CASH | D. Wayne Lukas | Luis Saez | 30-1 | ||||
| 2 | GIOVANNI BOLDINI | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 7-2 | ||||
| 3 | GOT SHADES | Danny Pish | Gary Stevens | 30-1 | ||||
| 4 | OUTSTRIP | Charlie Appleby | Mike Smith | 4-1 | ||||
| 5 | BOBBY’S KITTEN | Chad Brown | Javier Castellano | 5-2 | ||||
| 6 | HOME SCHOOL | Doug O’Neill | Rafael Bejarano | 30-1 | ||||
| 7 | AOTEAROA | Leonard Powell | Corey Nakatani | 12-1 | ||||
| 8 | BON ACCORD | Antonio Sano | Joel Rosario | 20-1 | ||||
| 9 | WILSHIRE BOULEVARD | Aidan O’Brien | William Buick | 8-1 | ||||
| 10 | ONTOLOGY | Simon Callaghan | Mario Gutierrez | 30-1 | ||||
| 11 | POKER PLAYER | Wayne Catalano | Channing Hill | 12-1 | ||||
| 12 | SHAMSHON | Richard Hannon | Richard Hughes | 12-1 | ||||
| 13 | BASHART | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 6-1 |
European shippers have captured four of the last five runnings of the
Juvenile Turf, including all three editions at Santa Anita, and several
dangerous contestants from overseas were entered in this year’s 13-horse field.
But we’ll side with the home team, tabbing the extremely promising Bobby’s
Kitten for top honors.
1ST — BOBBY’S KITTEN posted a sharp maiden score at Saratoga in his second
start and continued to improve when making his stakes debut in the October 6
Pilgrim at Belmont Park, running away from the competition for an impressive 6
1/4-length victory. Trainer Chad Brown excels with turf horses and we expect to
see Bobby’s Kitten continue to move forward in this spot. The talented colt
netted an encouraging 97 BRIS Speed rating last time, posting century-topping
Pace numbers as well, and we love the turn of foot we’ve seen from the colt in
all three outings. Bobby’s Kitten possesses some tactical speed, which should
come in handy in the bulky field, and we’ll look for him to prove best from just
off the pace with Javier Castellano.
2ND — OUTSTRIP posted a nice win in the Champagne at Doncaster
(England) two back and exits a respectable third to War Command (perhaps the
best two-year-old in Europe) in the Dewhurst at Newmarket. A son of
Exceed and Excel, the Godolphin colorbearer is out of U.S. Grade 1 winner Asi
Siempre and has never run a bad race in four career starts. Outstrip is a threat
with his best.
3RD – GIOVANNI BOLDINI is not the best two-year-old in Aidan O’Brien’s barn
but still looks very talented. Third in the Vincent O’Brien at The Curragh two back, the son of War Front earned his first stakes victory with a
romping performance on Polytrack last out, scoring by nearly five lengths, and
is a candidate for further improvement at Santa Anita off of that confidence
builder. We have plenty of respect and won’t be surprised to see him heavily
supported in the wagering, but Giovanni Boldini drew down near the rail in post
2 and must find a way to negotiate a good trip from off the pace.
Others: The following horses are all listed at double-digit odds on the
morning line and offer some appeal for the bottom of the exotics. POKER PLAYER
exits a rallying victory in the off-the-turf Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland. A turf
maiden winner two starts back, the Wayne Catalano charge appears to be training
forwardly in preparation and could make serious headway in the final furlongs.
SHAMSHON recorded a nice stakes win in France two back and did not run poorly
when fifth in a Group 2 event at Newbury (England) last out. He figures to be
overlooked and must overcome post 12, but we’re encouraged by his form and give
him a chance to grab part. ONTOLOGY is still a maiden, but he ran well when
making his lone turf appearance two starts back, finishing second in the Oak
Tree Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, and could be in position to make a minor impact
if he gets the expected trip, rating just behind the early speed.