The TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance captures the true essence of the Breeders’ Cup’s “Future Stars Friday” theme.
In the course of less than two minutes, the 2-year-old champion most likely will be crowned and a spotlight will fall on 2022 and who becomes the favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. With a strong group of 12 entrants lined up, Saturday’s 38th renewal promises to once again provide a lively battle to the finish line in the rarefied air of the sport’s World Championships.
1. Jack Christopher (9-5): SCRATCHED
2. Jasper Great (15-1): Ships in from Japan, where he won his debut by 10 lengths. It’s hard to judge the competition he faced, but he’s a son of Arrogate and a victory that easy cannot be ignored.
JOCKEY: Yuichi Fukunaga; TRAINER: Hideyuki Mori
3. Oviatt Class (20-1): He closed from far back to take third in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah Stakes, so the distance should not be a problem. Whether he can make up the nearly four lengths he finished behind Corniche in that race is the bigger concern but not one that’s insurmountable. Given the way he seems to be on the upswing, the Desormeaux brothers could have a live longshot here.
JOCKEY: Kent Desormeaux; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux
4. Pappacap (15-1): After winning his career debut at Gulfstream Park, he shipped to Del Mar and won the three-quarter-mile Best Pal Stakes. He lost his next two starts but took a nice step forward when second in the American Pharoah. With his pedigree, two turns should be perfect for him and he merits some consideration.
JOCKEY: Joe Bravo; TRAINER: Mark Casse
5. Double Thunder (20-1): He was hurt by a slow start in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and was a distant second to a horse missing this race who would have been one of the favorites. He adds blinkers, which may help, and comes from one of the sport’s premier barns. An improved performance would hardly be a surprise.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
6. American Sanctuary (30-1): He rallied late to finish a distant fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity and could be a factor late, but he seems on the slow side from a speed-rating standpoint.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Christopher Davis
7. Giant Game (30-1): Comes off a nice maiden win but is up against it in a field this tough with so little seasoning.
JOCKEY: Joe Talamo; TRAINER: Dale Romans
8. Barossa (10-1): One of three Bob Baffert-trained starters, he worked hard to earn his first career win last time in his third start. There was major improvement in terms of the final time, but this looms a tough spot for him.
JOCKEY: Juan J. Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
9. Pinehurst (8-1): This one is an intriguing possibility for Baffert. He’s unbeaten and won the seven-furlong Runhappy Del Mar Futurity while flashing the kind of speed that will make him hard to catch here. He might not look back from the front end if they let him get away on the backstretch.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
10. Commandperformance (5-1): He staged a nice late rally to cut into Jack Christopher’s lead late in the stretch of the one-mile Champagne Stakes. He gets a little more distance here, which will help, and if it bothers you that he’s a maiden, then keep in mind a New York-based maiden won the 2017 Juvenile at Del Mar.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
11. Tough to Tame (30-1): He missed by a neck in the Iroquois at 37-1 odds in a nice showing, but the time was slow and from this post, he faces an uphill climb.
JOCKEY: Sophie Doyle; TRAINER: Christopher Davis
12. Corniche (5-2): Baffert’s third starter is the most highly regarded of all. He’s 2-for-2, both going gate-to-wire, but the post complicates matters. He’ll need to break quickly here or else he could suffer significant ground loss. He’s very talented but seems a risky proposition from this post.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
THE PICK: Pinehurst
LIVE LONGSHOT: Pinehurst
TRIFECTA: 9-10-12
Daily Double
1-12
1-12
$32
Superfecta
12-4-7-10
12-4-7-10
$262
Super High Five
12-4-7-10-3
12-4-7-10-3
$4,124
Super High Five
12-4-7-10-9
12-4-7-10-9
$4,465
Trifecta
12-4-7
12-4-7
$269
Daily Double
1-12
1-12
$32
Superfecta
12-4-7-10
12-4-7-10
$262
Super High Five
12-4-7-10-3
12-4-7-10-3
$4,124
Super High Five
12-4-7-10-9
12-4-7-10-9
$4,465
Trifecta
12-4-7
12-4-7
$269
