The $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), both at 1 1/16 miles, headline Future Stars Friday, where all five Breeders’ Cup races on the program are for 2-year-olds. Both the Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies are expected to be filled with several talented rookies that have already flashed tremendous potential, while hinting the best is yet to come.
Kirk and Judy Robison’s JACKIE’S WARRIOR is unbeaten in four starts for trainer Steve Asmussen and earned an automatic starting berth into the race when he wired Belmont Park’s “Win and You’re In” Champagne (G1) Oct. 10. The son of Maclean’s Music also led throughout in the Saratoga Special (G2) in August and the Hopeful (G1) in September, and will go for a championship when he tries two turns for the first time.
A pair of undefeated “Win and You’re In” Challenge winners would also be in line for a championship. Godolphin’s homebred ESSENTIAL QUALITY may hold an edge, as he won the track and distance Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) Oct. 3 to for trainer Brad Cox, while Albaugh Family Stables’ SITTIN ON GO won the Sept. 5 Iroquois (G3) for trainer Dale Romans. BASSO, CAISSON, DREAMER’S DISEASE, HOT ROD CHARLIE, KEEPMEINMIND, LIKEABLE, REINVESTMENT RISK, ROMBAUER, and SPIELBERG could also start.
The Juvenile Fillies figures to have a smaller field, though quality abounds among a quartet of undefeated runners, with Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing, and Nehoc Stables’ SIMPLY RAVISHING getting a slight edge based on her 6 ¼-length track and distance win in the “Win and You’re In” Alcibiades (G1) Oct. 2 for trainer Kenny McPeek. The daughter of Laoban broke her maiden at Saratoga in August and won the off-the-turf P.G. Johnson there in September. She will face by far the stiffness test of her career in the Juvenile Fillies.
Zedan Racing Stable’s PRINCESS NOOR could be favored for trainer Bob Baffert, as the daughter of Not This Time is also 3-for-3, with easy wins in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) in September and Santa Anita’s “Win and You’re In” Chandelier (G1) Sept. 26, while two other “Win and You’re In” Challenge winners, Siena Farm and trainer Tim Hamm’s DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE, who won Belmont’s Frizette (G1) Oct. 10 to make it 3-for-3, and Albaugh Family Stables’ GIRL DADDY, who won the Pocahontas (G3) Sept. 3 at Churchill for trainer Dale Romans to stay perfect in two starts, also warrant plenty of respect. VEQUIST, who won Saratoga’s Spinaway (G1) in September for trainer Butch Reid, is also expected for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, as are CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, FOREST CARAWAY, PRINCESS SECRET, and TRAVEL COLUMN.
TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders
Photo: Jackie’s Warrior wins the 2020 Champagne Stakes at Saratoga. Credit: Coglianese
