Breeders' Cup Top 10 - The Juvenile
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I must admit when I took on this blog I knew I would have to re-watch all the past runnings of the Breeders' Cup Juveniles, because my first time ever watching of the BC was in 2004. So, trying to prepare a top ten list would not be an easy task. However, as I went through, I found the task to be quite easy. The brilliance that was displayed in many of my top picks was just so much more overwhelming than in other years. The stretch battles that stir the soul were few and far between, but those that were there did more than keep me on the edge of my seat. So, without any further ado I present my Top Ten Breeders’ Cup Juveniles.
10.) Timber Country- What a race is all I can say. From making that tremendous move on the rail, getting stuck, threading through traffic while the European Eltish got the jump, Timber Country should have been done. But no, he looked his rival in the eye and sprinted away in the blink of an eye.
9.) Favorite Trick- Was the definition of professionalism, speed, and dominance. He took over the lead with ease, ran six furlongs in 1.09 and change and still drew away with the utmost authority. The undefeated champion looked every part of one in this race.
8.) War Pass- Wow, War Pass. The son of Cherokee Run must be part fish because the way he handled the slop fest at Monmouth Park was nothing short of scintillating. Wire to wire, he led them on a merry chase, setting blistering fractions and drawing away with complete easy. On this day there was no catching War Pass.
7.) Chiefs Crown-What a thrilling race, I only wish I had been alive to watch. Can you believe the horses he beat this day? Running down the likes of Spend the Buck and Tank’s Prospect is no easy task, and it wasn’t. It didn’t look like Chief’s Crown would be able to get by, but as the wire neared another gear was found and he rolled by, taking the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
6.) Street Sense- Dominating, scintillating, spine tingling….take your pick. The son of the great Street Cry blew the race wide open in 2006, with a rail riding rally that left his opponents reeling. As they turned for home Calvin Bo-rail had already guided his mount to the lead, but as they raced down the stretch it was all Street Sense who rolled home to win by a record 10 widening lengths.
5.) Unbridled’s Song- Son of Unbridled had to work through traffic and slug it out with a stubborn Hennessy down the entire length of the stretch. But the Unbridled’s Song fought with the courage of a lion and the heart of a champion, to prevail by a head.
4.) Vindication- After duking it out on the front end with stablemate Bull Market there was no way Vindication could have something left for the stretch drive…right? Wrong, dead wrong. He had plenty left. He showed why he was the most talked about juvenile of his crop when he spurted away from Bull Market and held sway over Kafwain and Hold that Tiger. A great race by a potentially great horse. It was a shame his career was cut so short.
Drum roll please….I now present the Dead Heat Debates Top Three Breeders Cup Juveniles!
3.) Macho Uno- I do not remember this race so much for its streaking grey winner, but the big red express train that came steam rolling down the stretch. Point Given looked beaten at ever point in the race, it was not until late stretch that he burst onto the scene, gobbling up chunks of ground with each and every stride. After a disastrous start he had the fans willing him to get up, but it was not to be. Point Given would fall a nose short in one of the most thrilling editions of the Juvenile I have ever seen.
2.) Arazi- Out of the clouds, ran by them like they were standing still. Arazi brought a whole new meaning to both of those statements in 1991. He went from last to first, weaving through traffic and racing by his opponents leaving them stunned and hopelessly reeling in his wake. It ranks among the most powerful juvenile performance ever seen during this great event.
1.) Uncle Mo- There are not enough words to describe the son of Indian Charlie and his performance in 2010. Sitting chilly in second, he made his move as the rounded the turn. Seizing the lead as they entered the stretch, Uncle Mo never looked back. The margin was by 4 ¾ lengths, but it could have easily been by 10. He dominated Boys at Toscanova, the one who was supposed to test him and possibly beat him. This performance oozed class, brilliance, and dominance. It is Dead Heat Debates number one performance in the history of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
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