BREEDERS’ CUP PROFILES
JUVENILE
| BROTHER DEREK | Benchmark–Miss Soft Cell, by
Siyah Kalem |
|
| Owner: | Cecil Peacock | |
| Breeder: | Mary H. Caldwell (Ca) | |
| Trainer: | Dan Hendricks | |
| Rider: | Alex Solis | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
89, 90, 96 | |
Earned first stakes win with a front-running score in the Norfolk S. (G2) but
will probably revert to rating tactics in the Juvenile (G1). Cal-bred didn’t
finish very fast last time and faces a big class hike at Belmont Park, but
Brother Derek has never finished out of the money (3-2-0-1) and is one of the
best hopes from California.
| DAWN OF WAR | Catienus–Hillary Step, by
Chimes Band |
|
| Owner: | Ken and Sarah Ramsey | |
| Breeder: | Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Dale Romans | |
| Rider: | Javier Castellano | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
97, 83, 84 | |
A winner at River Downs and Canterbury Park this year, Dawn of War sprang an
upset at 36-1 in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) last out, leading wire to wire over
a speed-favoring Keeneland track for a 3 1/2-length decision. Improving colt
will likely show speed from the start, but he may not be quick enough make the
lead in the Juvenile (G1) and would be a huge surprise once again.
| DR. PLEASURE | Thunder Gulch–Beautiful
Pleasure, Maudlin |
|
| Owner: | John C. Oxley | |
| Breeder: | John C. Oxley (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | John Ward Jr. | |
| Rider: | Jose Santos | |
| Last 2 BRIS
Speed: |
89, 100 | |
The first foal from champion and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Beautiful
Pleasure, Dr. Pleasure ran to his pedigree in his September 2 career bow at
Saratoga, drawing off to a 7 1/4-length score over maiden special weight rivals.
He faltered last time when making his stakes debut at even-money in the 6 1/2-furlong Cowdin
S., lugging in during the stretch run and coming up short against a confirmed
sprinter. Dr. Pleasure may appreciate the added ground in his first attempt at a
route, but he still lacks seasoning entering the Juvenile (G1). He owns plenty
of potential and could surprise with a much improved performance, but it may be
best to look for more down the road from the colt.
| FIRST SAMURAI | Giant’s Causeway–Freddie
Frisson, by Dixieland Band |
|
| Owner: | Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon
Robbins III |
|
| Breeder: | John D. Gunther (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Frank Brothers | |
| Rider: | Jerry Bailey | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
104, 104, 108 | |
Champagne S. (G1) and Hopeful S. (G1) hero has performed brilliantly in his
first four starts, earning overwhelming BRIS Speed ratings while dominating his
competition, and will be one of the shortest prices on Breeders’ Cup Day. First
Samurai owns a great pedigree for the Juvenile (G1) distance and can be placed
anywhere during the early stages of a race with his tactical speed. Jerry Bailey
will likely be up close stalking the pace, and First Samurai has displayed a
tremendous finishing kick so far. He looks very difficult to beat.
| HENNY HUGHES | Hennessy–Meadow Flyer, by
Meadowlake |
|
| Owner: | Darley Stable | |
| Breeder: | Liberation Farm, Trackside
Farm and Cho |
|
| Trainer: | Kiaran McLaughlin | |
| Rider: | Edgar Prado | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
101, 98, 103 | |
Saratoga Special (G2) winner has been no match for First Samurai (Giant’s
Causeway) in his last two starts, but he could be the second-best two-year-old
in training. Henny Hughes distinguished himself early in the season, winning his
first three outings in eye-catching fashion, and he turned in a game performance
when second in the Champagne S. (G1) last out. The chestnut colt switched barns
to Kiaran McLaughlin since then and will get a rider switch to Edgar Prado.
Henny Hughes will likely be on or close to the early lead and could last a long
way, especially if the track is favoring speed.
| IVAN DENISOVICH
(Ire) |
Danehill–Hollywood
Wildcat, by Kris S. |
|
| Owner: | Mrs. John Magnier, Tabor
and Cowan |
|
| Breeder: | Irving Cowan (Ire) | |
| Trainer: | Aidan O’Brien | |
| Rider: | Kieren Fallon | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
Out of champion and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Hollywood Wildcat, Ivan
Denisovich counts Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) victor War Chant as a three-quarter
brother and will make his U.S. and dirt bow in the Juvenile (G1). A Group 2
winner, the bay colt finished second in a Group 1 race two starts back and
fourth in the Middle Park S. (Eng-G1) most recently. Aidan O’Brien won the
Juvenile the last time it was held at Belmont with Euro shipper Johannesburg in
2001, but that colt entered the Breeders’ Cup unbeaten and a multiple Group 1
winner. Ivan Denisovich doesn’t bring the same outstanding European form into
this year’s event, but he’s very well bred and has competed at the highest level
this season. The American-based contingent doesn’t appear very deep, and Ivan
Denisovich can’t be dismissed from top three consideration.
| JEALOUS PROFIT | Trippi–Fast Profit, by
Tejano |
|
| Owner: | Paul Reddam and Mark
Schlesinger |
|
| Breeder: | Harold Plumley (Fl) | |
| Trainer: | Doug O’Neill | |
| Rider: | Corey Nakatani | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
84, 86, 91 | |
Jealous Profit is still a maiden and is the lesser regarded of two entrants
from trainer Doug O’Neill in this year’s Juvenile (G1). A non-threatening third
in the Norfolk S. (G2) last time, he’ll be one of the biggest outsiders on
Saturday.
| LEO (GB) | Pivotal–Miss Penton, by
Primo Dominie |
|
| Owner: | Her Royal Highness Princess
Haya of Jordan |
|
| Breeder: | Hascombe and Valiant Studs
(GB) |
|
| Trainer: | John Gosden | |
| Rider: | Frankie Dettori | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
European shipper exits a Group 2 score at Newmarket but doesn’t own a
promising pedigree for the main track. A winner of only two of six lifetime
starts, Leo could have a difficult time challenging even if he takes to the
dirt.
| PRIVATE VOW | Broken Vow–Smooth as Silk,
by Deputy Minister |
|
| Owner: | Mike McCarty | |
| Breeder: | Mr. & Mrs. R. Witt and Mr.
& Mrs. L. Scattaglia (Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Steve Asmussen | |
| Rider: | John Velazquez | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
98, 101, 95 | |
Dark bay colt brings a three-race winning streak into the Juvenile (G1),
including a nine-length tally in the Futurity S. (G2) at Belmont last out, and
owns the BRIS Speed and Pace ratings to be a factor. Freshened since his last
start, Private Vow owns excellent tactical speed and could easily be in position
to challenge leaving the far turn. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a
serious say in the final outcome.
| SET ALIGHT | Hennessy–Proflare, by Mr.
Prospector |
|
| Owner: | Juddmonte Farms | |
| Breeder: | Juddmonte Farms (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Christiane Head-Maarek | |
| Rider: | Rafael Bejarano | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
n/a | |
He’s won his last two starts in France, including his first stakes win over
Group 3 rivals last out, and is bred to handle the dirt on both sides of his
pedigree, but the youngster faces a major class hike in the Juvenile (G1). Set
Alight picks up an American-based jockey in Rafael Bejarano and could continue
to show more if he takes to the main track like Wilko last year, but he’s still
difficult to endorse.
| SORCERER’S STONE | Gulch–Magical Holiday, by
Slew O’Gold |
|
| Owner: | Robert Shepard and Carrol
Castille |
|
| Breeder: | Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds
(Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Pat Byrne | |
| Rider: | Mark Guidry | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
97, 89, 92 | |
Unbeaten from three starts, Sorcerer’s Stone romped by 8 1/2 lengths when
making his graded debut in the Arlington Washington-Futurity (G3) last out and
will enter the Juvenile (G1) off a six-week freshening. The leading
Midwest-based candidate, the Pat Byrne-trained colt could be any kind but has
not faced quality competition in his last two starts. The dark bay will face his
first serious test in his New York debut, but there’s a lot to like about his form
this season and Sorcerer’s Stone deserves consideration for it all.
| STEVIE WONDERBOY | Stephen Got Even–Heat
Lightning, by Summer Squall |
|
| Owner: | The Merv Griffin Ranch | |
| Breeder: | John Gunther, Tony Holmes
and Walter Zent (Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Doug O’Neill | |
| Rider: | Garrett Gomez | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
93, 98, 90 | |
Finished a close third to the ill-fated What a Song while still a maiden in
the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3) and then recorded two visually
impressive wins at Del Mar, breaking his maiden by four lengths and winning the
Del Mar Futurity (G2) going away following a sweeping last-to-first move. Doug
O’Neill elected to train his charge up to the race and Stevie Wonderboy will
enter the Juvenile (G1) off a lengthy 52-day layoff. He hasn’t beaten the
strongest competition in his last two outings, but Stevie Wonderboy looks like
one of the most dangerous late runners in the Juvenile field.
| STREAM CAT | Black Minnaloushe–Water
Course, by Irish River (Fr) |
|
| Owner: | Fab Oak Stable, Derby Dream
Stable and Hurley et al |
|
| Breeder: | Matthews Breeding and
Racing (Ky) |
|
| Trainer: | Patrick Biancone | |
| Rider: | Gary Stevens | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
89, 91, 83 | |
Couldn’t make up enough ground over speed-favoring Keeneland track last time
in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), but the late-running Kentucky Juvenile Cup (G3)
winner still finished a respectable third and will attempt to make his presence
felt from off the pace on Saturday. The dark bay colt has class concerns at this
level (owns only a career-high 91 BRIS Speed rating), but he’s still lightly
raced with plenty of room for improvement. He has some appeal for the exotics at
long odds.
| SUPERFLY | Fusaichi Pegasus–Marozia,
by Storm Bird |
|
| Owner: | Robert LaPenta | |
| Breeder: | Barnett Enterprises (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Nick Zito | |
| Rider: | Eibar Coa | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
88, 92, 103 | |
Superfly broke his maiden in his third career start in a listed stakes race
at Delaware Park and then finished a non-threatening third in the Champagne S.
(G1). Made up some ground over the sloppy track last time and looks like he
could be a late-developing colt from Nick Zito’s shedrow. He’ll need to improve
significantly to jump up and be a factor in the Juvenile (G1), but Superfly is
heading in the right direction and figures to be completely overlooked in the
wagering. Dark bay colt is a threat to come running late for a small share.
| BEAR CHARACTER | Dixie Union–Forty Love, by
Forty Niner |
|
| Owner: | Bear Stables | |
| Breeder: | Robert David Randal (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Dale Greenwood | |
| Rider: | Jim McAleney | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
84, 79, 83 | |
Canadian shipper will need one defection to make the field from the
also-eligible list and doesn’t look fast enough to challenge at this level.
| DIABOLICAL | Artax–Bonnie Byerly, by
Dayjur |
|
| Owner: | Puglisi Stables and Steve
Klesaris |
|
| Breeder: | Longleaf Pine Farm (Ky) | |
| Trainer: | Steve Klesaris | |
| Rider: | no rider | |
| Last 3 BRIS
Speed: |
96, 85, 108 | |
Appears unlikely to make the race from the also-eligible list and is
probably better suited to sprint races at this point in his career.