March 28, 2024

Bulletin too quick for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint rivals

Bulletin and jockey Javier Castellano capture the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on "Future Stars Friday," November 2, 2018 (c) Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com

Bulletin broke fastest of all in Friday’s $920,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and then turned back a challenge from a persistent Chelsea Cloisters in mid-stretch to win the inaugural running of the 5 1/2-furlong dash at Churchill Downs by 2 3/4 lengths under Javier Castellano.

With little run-up time over the new distance configuration and following several days of drenching rain, Bulletin posted modest early splits of :23.19 and :46.89 prior to finishing up in 1:05.54 over a course labeled yielding. The 4-1 second choice in a field of 12, Bulletin paid $10.60.

“Fantastic way to start. He broke really well and was sharp,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who trains the son of City Zip for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing.

A trio of longshot fillies were next across the line. Chelsea Cloisters was one length ahead of So Perfect, who had three parts of a length on Queen of Bermuda. European invader Soldier’s Call, the 5-2 favorite, finished sixth after hopping and getting bumped at the start.

“I felt that the ground was riding soft,” said jockey Oisin Murphy, the rider of Soldier’s Call.

Bred in Kentucky by CresRan LLC and a $250,000 Keeneland September purchase, Bulletin is now two-for-two with earnings of $595,570. He made a stellar debut on September 29 at Gulfstream Park, leading wire-to-wire to win the $82,000 Hollywood Beach by seven lengths over five furlongs on the grass.

Bulletin is out of Grade 3 winner Sue’s Good News, by Woodman, which make him a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Tiz Miz Sue.