Two-year-olds kick off the 38th BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS at Del Mar on Friday, FUTURE STARS FRIDAY, with the first race, the Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) set for 5:50 eastern.
Five Breeders’ Cup races will take place Friday followed by nine Cup races on Saturday.
*(Canadian Thoroughbred will offer selections for all Breeders’ Cup Races beginning Friday)
It is the youngsters who tend to make appearances at Woodbine for stepping stone races to the Breeders’ Cup and this year is no different. Woodbine’s Grade 1 Summer Stakes, a Win and You’re In race for the Juvenile Turf, is well represented as the first two finishers are in the Juvenile Turf field.
Albahr (Juvenile Turf), one of six Charlie Appleby-trained horses, was on the track for the first time since clearing quarantine and exercised under the watchful eye of Appleby. All his horses looked in tremendous condition and reports from the Godolphin team have been very positive on all horses since touching down in California. – courtesy horse-races.net/Cindy Pierson Dulay
ALBAHR (GB) invaded Ontario on September 19 and flew to a 2 1/4 length win in the Summer with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure and it was the fourth straight win for the British-bred owned and bred by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby. Frankie Dettori rode Albahr, a son of Dubawi, and will ride at Del Mar.
Second to Albahr was GRAFTON STREET, a son of War Front, who is trained by Woodbine’s leading trainer Mark Casse for Mrs. John Magnnier. This big colt was making just his second career start in the Summer and finished a closing second. He came right back to win his maiden at Woodbine at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta with a 72 Beyer Figure. Tyler Gafflione rides.
The Juvenile Turf is race 10, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
More Future Stars Friday:
The Juvenile Turf Sprint, which will have 12 starters, has lured Woodbine stakes winners ONE TIMER (Trappe Shot) who won the Victoria Stakes in July on the Tapeta and recently won the Speakeasy Stakes on turf at Santa Anita. He is trained by Larry Rivelli.
The filly DERRYNANE has post 11 for trainer Christophe Clement who seeks his first Breeders’ Cup win. Derryname won the Woodbine Cares Stakes by 2/3 length at five furlongs on the turf and she is a daughter of Quality Road.
Derrynane came to Woodbine and won the Woodbine Cares Stakes – Michael Burns photo
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies has just six entrants with ECHO ZULU, a daughter of Gun Runner, the early 4-to-5 favourite following three big wins in three races.
The Juvenile Fillies Turf, at one mile, has PIZZA BIANCA in the field at 5 to 1. Owned by Bobby Flay, this gal was second in the Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine in her second career race. She is also trained by Christophe Clement.
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has a strong field of 12 and is led by 9-to-5 favourite JACK CHRISTOPHER, a flashy son of Munnings who is undefeated in two races including the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. A $125,000 yearling purchase, Jack Christopher is trained by Chad Brown, who you usually see with turf horses.
Toronto’s JOHN FIELDING is co-breeder of PINEHURST, a Twirling Candy colt who is unbeaten in two races including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity for trainer Bob Baffert.
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