2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint picks
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2012 Breeders’ Cup action will get underway with the second edition of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint. The six furlongs race is open to all juveniles, male or female. In fact, it’s likely that a filly will be the favorite. Let’s break down the field.
ALMOST AN ANGEL (Artie Schiller x Earthly Angel by Crafty Prospector) races for trainer Wesley Ward. Anyone familiar with horse racing can tell you that Ward is the MAN when it comes to juvenile sprinters. This filly has never raced on dirt, but worked strongly on the surface at Saratoga.
BEHOLDER (Henny Hughes x Leslie’s Lady by Tricky Creek) is also considering the Juvenile Fillies. If she goes here, she will have an enormous shot. Her last trip to the track saw her demolish a good group of fillies, including Mechaya, with a great amount of ease. Her only losses came at the hands of the undefeated Executiveprivilege.
CEILING KITTEN (Red Clubs x Baldovina by Tale of the Cat) is shipping in from across the pond for Thomas Dascombe. She won the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot on June 20. Her breeding on the mares side will help her handle the dirt surface. Last year’s second place finisher, Shumoos, shipped in from Great Britain. However, that filly was a Pennsylvania bred.
HAZARDOUS (Candy Ride x Malley Girl by Malek) probably doesn’t belong in this race. He was last seen crushing claimers by over 13 lengths, but this is an entirely different ball game. Carl O’Callaghan is the trainer.
HIGHTAIL (Mineshaft x Stormy Renee by Storm Cat) is another questionable entry, but hey, questionable entries are D Wayne Lukas’s M.O. these days. The dark bay colt has yet to win despite having already raced eight times. Look for him to chase the pace before fading to finish near last.
KAUAI KATIE (Malibu Moon x More Than Pretty by More Than Ready) has talent oozing out of her ears. Her debut win at Saratoga was breath taking. She stopped the clock for five and one half furlongs in 1:03 3/5 seconds while drawing away by 12 lengths. Since that win she has added wins in the Adirondack and Matron Stakes to her resume. This Todd Pletcher pupil is the horse to beat.
MERIT MAN (With Distinction x Precise Strike by Precise End) has won both of his starts, including the Tim Conway Stakes for trainer Bob Hess. Jockey Patrick Valenzuela is one of the best gate riders in the history of the sport and will give this one an extra advantage. Look for him to set up shop right behind the speed as he did in both of his wins.
SOUTH FLOYD (Any Given Saturday x Major Wager by Valid Wager) is owned by Louisville Cardinals basketball coach Rick Pitino. The $62k purchase won his debut stylishly at Fair Plex before finishing second to the aforementioned Merit Man in the Tim Conway Stakes. Doug O’Neill is the trainer.
Bob Baffert won this race one year ago and will try to do it again with SUPER NINETY NINE (Pulpit x Exogenetic by Unbridled’s Song). The chestnut colt won first out under Martin Garcia going seven furlongs against maiden special weight company. His works are strong and discounting anything Baffert sends out would be foolish.
The second entry for Wesley Ward is SWEET SHIRLEY MAE (Broken Vow x Joyful Chaos by Rahy). She won her debut at Belmont Park back in May before faltering in the Schuylerville Stakes. She made amends for that effort by rallying to be second in the Spinaway. Ward should have her cranked up for a big effort.
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