Saturday’s 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park changed dramatically this week following the defection of sharp speedster and morning line favorite American Pharoah.
With Bob Baffert’s aforementioned colt out of action, Todd Pletcher trainees Carpe Diem and Daredevil figure to vie for favoritism. Bob Baffert will still be represented by One Lucky Dane.
A few of my “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2015 contenders are entered in the BC Juvenile, including Carpe Diem, Daredevil, and Souper Colossal.
This is my second in a series of blogs devoted toKentucky Derby 2015 contenders. Once again, I got an early start in September, and there will be many twists and turns in the weeks and months ahead.
Some of my highly regarded horses from the first September blog came back to run extremely well, including International Star, Blofeld, Carpe Diem, and American Pharoah.
Graded Recaps
G1 FrontRunner (101 BSF): In a virtual replay of the G1 Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah was in complete control throughout. He is the deserving BC Juvenile favorite for Bob Baffert.
G1 Champagne (107 BSF): Daredevil was perfectly drawn on the outside and easily captured his second from as many wet track starts at Belmont Park. He clearly has talent and we will learn more when he faces quality foes on fast ground.
G1 Breeders’ Futurity (91 BSF): Carpe Diem dominated his eleven rivals for Johnny V-Pletcher. He is 2-for-2 lifetime and is a very promising prospect.
G3 Grey (66 BSF): International Star sat comfortably behind tepid splits before rallying nicely to win under a hand ride. The final number came back very low but the winner looked good from a visual standpoint.
G2 Futurity (100 BSF): Blofeld sat behind horses along the inside and won in a professional manner for Johnny V-Pletcher. This is exactly what you want to see in a young horse. Very promising colt.
Click on the names of each horse below (Top 5) to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes pedigree information, results, and video.
Trainer: Michael Maker – Owner: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey
Latest Published Workout: Breezed 4f in :50.20 (16/21) at Churchill (dirt training) on Oct 18.
Comments: Retains the top spot after a nice win in the G3 Grey at Woodbine on Oct 5. He looked good visually, rallying to win under a hand ride, but only received a 66 BSF. He picked up 10 Derby Points and the versatile sort has now run well on dirt, turf, and synthetic.
Derby Points (10)
2. SOUPER COLOSSAL(War Front – Soaring Emotions, by Kingmambo)
Trainer: Eddie Plesa Jr. – Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Latest Published Workout: Breezed 4f in :48.60 (3/34) at Monmouth on Oct 19.
Comments: 3-for-3 at Monmouth Park including stakes tallies in the Tyro and Sapling (86 BSF). War Front, sire of 31 stakes winners, captured the G2 Vanderbilt in ’06 and placed in numerous other graded sprints. Dam Soaring Emotions won a flat mile allowance turf race at Tampa Bay in ’09 for Clement, and dam sire Kingmambo won a couple of overseas Group 1’s in ’93.
3. BLOFELD (Quality Road – Storm Minstrel, by Storm Cat)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Owner: Glencrest Farm
Latest Published Workout: 4f in :48.34 (3/49) at Belmont (dirt training) on Oct 20.
Comments: Followed up his sharp Saratoga debut with a fast tally (100 BSF) in the G2 Futurity at Belmont Park on Oct 5. In the Futurity, he showed professional maturity, waiting for room behind horses along the rail without being intimidated. The G2 Nashua at Aqueduct on Nov 2 might be next.
4. CARPE DIEM (Giant’s Causeway – Rebridled Dreams, by Unbridled’s Song)
Latest Published Workout: 4f in :48.33 (2/49) at Belmont (dirt training) on Oct 19.
Comments: Looked great from start to finish in sharp G1 Breeders’ Futurity score. WinStar says he is their best juvenile ever. He looks like a solid BC Juvenile contender.
Derby Points (10)
5. AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneerof The Nile – Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman)
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Owner: Zayat Stables
Latest Published Workout: 5f bullet in :58.60 (1/42) at Santa Anita on Oct 20.
Comments: Back-to-back facile Grade I wins in the Del Mar Futurity and FrontRunner. His easy home court win at the BC Juvenile distance makes him the solid early favorite for that event. His promising stablemate One Lucky Dane could join him in the gate for the BC Juvenile.
Derby Points (10)
6. STARTUP NATION (Temple City – Pennyrile, by Wagon Limit)
Trainer: Chad Brown – Owner: Klaravich Stables
Latest Published Workout: Breezed 5f in 1:03.57 (11/18) at Belmont (good inner turf) on Oct 19.
Comments: Two big turf wins to begin his career before finishing a flat 4th in the G3 Pilgrim at Belmont on Sept 28.
7. CHIEF ISTAN (Istan – My Indian, by Indian Charlie)
Trainer: Larry Jones – Owner: Brereton C. Jones
Latest Published Workout: 5f bullet in :59.40 (1/20) at Keeneland on Oct 6.
Comments: Shook off pace foe and drew off in romping DelPark debut Sept 3. Multiple graded winning sire Istan is responsible for ’14 graded stakes winners Istanford and Albano. Dam sire Indian Charlie won his first four starts including the G1 SA Derby and his show finish in the ‘98 G1 Kentucky Derby was his career finale.
8. DAREDEVIL (More Than Ready – Chasethewildwind, by Forty Niner)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Owner: Let’s Go Stable
Comments: 2-for-2 after easy win in the G1 Champagne. Both wins at Belmont on wet tracks so he still has some proving to do.
Derby Points (10)
9,. EL KABEIR (Scat Daddy – Great Venue, by Unbridled’s Song)
Trainer: John Terranova II – Owner: Zayat Stables
Latest Published Workout: 5f in 1:02.14 (3/18) at Belmont (good inner turf) on Oct 19.
Comments: Bad start from the rail over wet footing cost him dearly in the G1 Champagne (well-beaten 4th). He showed plenty of promise at Saratoga and deserves another chance.
Derby Points (1)
10. FROSTED (Tapit – Fast Cookie, by Deputy Minister)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin – Owner: Godolphin Racing
Latest Workout: 4f in :48.40 (3/30) at Saratoga (dirt training) on Oct 21.
Comments: 2nd to runaway winner Bayerd in his Saratoga debut Aug 23, and he occupied that same spot at Belmont on Sept 20. Talented maiden should graduate soon.
11. LORD NELSON (Pulpit – African Jade, by Seeking the Gold)
Trainer: Bob Baffert – Owner: Peachtree Stable
Comments: Smart Del Mar debut sprint win July 19 before finishing 4th to stablemate American Phaorah in the Sept 27 FrontRunner. Cruised to an easy win in the 6f Speakeasy Stakes (92 BSF) at Santa Anita on Oct 13.
Derby Points (1)
Honorable Mention: (12) Calculator, (13) I Spent It, (14) Upstart, (15) Iron Fist, (16) Bayerd, (17) Pride of Stride, (18) Wild Zambezi, (19) Today’s Agenda, (20) Bustin It
Injured Reserve
Competitive Edge – Hairline fracture (9-17-14). Out for rest of 2014.
Hashtag Bourbon – Ankle chip (left front). Could show up at Oaklawn Park in 2015.
My video race of the week for Saturday, October 11 is the QE II Challenge Cup (9th race) from Keeneland. The Grade I affair is for 3-year-old fillies traveling nine furlongs on the soft turf course.
The QE II field has been reduced to seven following the defections of Aurelia’s Belle and Daring Dancer. G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Personal Diary figures to vie for favoritism with Chad Brown’s uncoupled duo of Minorette and Ball Dancing.
My video race of the week for Saturday, October 4 is a juvenile double-header from Belmont Park. First up is the Grade 1 Frizette (race 6) for 2-year-old fillies, followed by the Grade 1 Champagne (race 8) for the boys.
Cavorting and Condo Commando figure to take the bulk of the wagering action in the Frizette. The Champgane drew a 6-horse field including Pletcher favorite Daredevil.
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