Conditioner Paulo Lobo. Keeneland Photo
Hurricane J is the son of 2015 Juvenile winner Nyquist who was sired by 2010 winner Uncle Mo
Breeders’ Cup Notes/Edited
AMO Racing USA’s Paulo Lobo-trained Hurricane J will attempt to become a third-generation Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, as the son of Nyquist (2015) and grandson of Uncle Mo (2010) breaks from post 1 of 10 in the 1 1/16m test. The dark bay 2yo will also be stepping up markedly in distance from a 6f Keeneland allowance on Oct. 8 in which he drew off to win by 3¾ lengths. Previously, he was a nose winner of an Ellis Park maiden on Aug. 28.
“I’m glad that he has speed, because breaking from the rail, he will have to use it,” Lobo said. “I know it’s a huge gap from what he has done to the race that he’s going to run in on Saturday, but he’s very talented. His last race was very impressive, and he took to the Keeneland dirt very well.
“We have been galloping him more to get the distance,” he continued. “I think he’s fit enough, but of course I am concerned first time going two turns, but you never know.”
Joe Talamo rides the 30-1 longshot.
Stud Valentin E Jarussi’s Nautilus will represent South America when the Brazilian-bred/raced son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Drosselmeyer contests the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday. Training of the chestnut was assumed this summer by Brazil-born, Kentucky-based Paulo Lobo. He was previously conditioned by Nilson Borges de Lima, including a “Win and You’re In” victory in the Grande Premio Brasil on June 26, when last seen competing.
“He’s doing very well, and he is adjusting very well and very fast here,” Lobo said. “I got him three months ago. It’s not the perfect scenario to run a horse from South America the first time in America in the Breeders’ Cup. Ideally, we would need about five or six months. We needed more time, but he has been training well and looks well and happy.”
The 4yo has breezed seven times since joining Lobo, including a 4f move in 49 flat on Tuesday. One week prior, he worked 6f in 1:15 flat. Both works were at The Thoroughbred Center.
“His 49 breeze yesterday was very easy, very fast and he did it on his own. I liked it —actually I loved it,” Lobo continued. “The race is unbelievably tough, but let’s see what happens. Like he did in Brazil, he will sit back and make one run.”
Javier Castellano, a 12-time Breeders’ Cup winner, has the mount from post 12. Nautilus’ morning line is set at 30-1.
