Breeders Cup Juvenile Preview

This years Breeders Cup Juvenile won’t include some of the best of the best 2-year-olds in the country. Vineyard Haven is doubtful for the race after winning the Grade 1 Champagne. Trainer and majority owner, Robert Frankel has stated that he does not wish to pay the supplemental fee of $150,000+ to start. Charitable Man, winner of the Grade 2 Futurity is also out due to a saucer fracture in his left shin. These colts will leave a void, but the field will nonetheless contain capable runners.

Square Eddie scored an easy victory in the Grade 1 Lanes End Breeders Futurity with jockey Rafael Bejarano in the irons. The son of Smart Strike was making his first start in the United States for owner J. Paul Reddam, who won the Breeders Cup Juvenile with Wilko in 2004. Doug O’Neill will be the new trainer, and has said the colt looks like a “Baby Curlin”.

Stalking the pace from two lengths back, Square Eddie struck the lead four wide as they hit the stretch. He then proceeded to draw off, winning by 5 lengths. The winning time of 1:43.04 for the one mile and sixteenth distance was over two seconds faster than last years winner, Wicked Style. The connections have indicated their intent on racing in the Breeders Cup, and their colt will be one of the top choices.

From the sire City Zip, the undefeated Run Away And Hide will also give the Breeders Cup a shot. A perfect 3 for 3, his latest victory came in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, where he slipped up the rail to win by 2 lengths over Break Water Edison. Trainer Ronny Werner is an expert with two-year-olds and should have colt ready to go, despite an injury that prevented him from starting in the Grade 1 Lanes End Breeders Futurity.

Street Hero will also garner plenty of support. From the leading sire Street Cry,  he broke his maiden last out in the Grade 1 Norfolk at Santa Anita. Jockey Alex Solis said he must’ve been stopped at least ten times. Street Hero gained that win after the addition of blinkers, and prior to a third place finish in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. Midshipman who beat Street Hero in the Del Mar Futurity, but was bested in the Norfolk will also race in the Breeders Cup Juvenile according to trainer Bob Baffert.