2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Reviewing the Europeans

Eighteen two year old colts were pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Three of them, Dance With Fate, Diamond Bachelor and Smarty's Echo having first preference for the Juvenile. The race has been contested only six times, yet foreign colts have a strong 19-4-2-1 record. Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore gang have taken home the trophy the last two years running and once again hold a strong hand. Five colts are scheduled to ship in from overseas, two of whom are conditioned by the Irish superstar trainer.

Let's take a closer look at the European contenders. We'll review the entire race, including selections, next week.

ARPINATI (GB) (Lucky Story - Lola Sapola (IRE), by Benny the Dip)

Triple B Farms purchased Arpinati from Dioscuri Srl after the colt finished third in the Italian Gran Criterium (Gr.1). He previously won the Primo Primi Passi (Gr. 3). Adam Kitchingman has taken over the training. Mr. Kitchingman trained Dixie High to a sixth place finish in the 2003 Juvenile Fillies. Arpinati is by Lucky Story, a son of Kris S., who in turn, is a son of Roberto. Arpinati's damsire Benny the Dip was Champion Three Year Old in England and is also a grandson of Roberto. Arpinati's distaff line is sprinkled with European stakes winners but none in the first three generations are particularly notable. There are no recorded works for Arpinati in the US.

GIOVANNI BOLDINI (War Front - Dancing Trieste, by Old Trieste)

Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien

Race record: 3-2-0-1 ($79,318)

The folks who brought us the last two Juvenile Colts Turf heroes, Wrote and George Vancouver, are at it again. They have a strong chance of taking home another Breeders' Cup Trophy. Giovanni Boldinifinished third in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Ire-Gr.1), then came back to win a listed stakes over the Polytrack. The Europeans have won half of the six Juvenile turf races since the races inception in 2007. Giovanni Boldini is by the sizzling sire War Front, as are other Juvie Turf hopefuls Bashart and Diamond Bachelor. It's entirely possible that we could see a War Front trifecta in the Juvie Turf. Stranger things have happened.

OUTSTRIP (GB) (Exceed And Excel (AUS) - Asi Siempre, by El Prado (IRE))

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Race record: 4-2-1-1 ($181,034)

Outstrip was handed over to Charlie Appleby in July by Godolphin's main guy Saeed bin Suroor. The pretty gray colt has a win-lose cycle going and finished third against Group 1 runners in the Dewhurst Stakes, beaten only 2 ¾ lengths. Outstrip is one of the best-bred colts in the Juvie Turf. By a Champion Australia Turf Sprinter, he is the first foal born from the multiple Graded Stakes turf mare Asi Siempre (Spinster, Valley View, Doubledogdare Stakes, etc.). Outstrip will be Mr. Appleby's first runner in the Breeders' Cup.

SHAMSHON(Invincible Spirit (IRE) - Greenisland (IRE), by Fasliyev)

Owner: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani

Trainer: Richard Hannon

Race record: 3-2-0-0 ($45,197)

Shamshon has run over three different courses in as many starts. After capturing his debut, he was victorious in the Prix de la Vallee d'Auge, a French listed race. Shamshon suffered his first defeat in the Mill Reef Stakes (Eng. Gr.-2), finishing fifth, but was beaten only 1 ¾ lengths. By a multiple group stakes turf sprinter, Shamshon is the first foal out of his stakes placed dam. This immediate distaff line is modest, although there's some notable runners in the third and fourth generations. Mr. Hannon has sent seven prospects to the Breeders' Cup. Paco Boy's fourth place finish in the 2010 Marathon was his best placing.

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) - Tyranny (GB), by Machiavellian)

Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Race record: 7-2-2-0 ($166,500)

The stablemate of Giovanni Boldini has been around the country a few times. He's raced at six different tracks and made three starts in June, one on just four days of rest. He won the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes and was second in the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr. 2) before finishing 21/4 lengths behind the winner of the French Group 1 Qatar Px Jl Lagardere. Who knows just how good Wilshire Boulevard's sire Holy Roman Emperorcould have been. He was a two and three year old Champ, but Coolmore suddenly retired him in March of his four year old season to replace George Washington, who's fertility declined. Wilshire Boulevard is a half brother to the multiple Group Stakes sprinter Zoffany (by Dansili). The colt carries inbreeding to the great blue hen Natalma through her son Norther Dancer and his half sisters Spring Adiu (by Buckpasser) and Raise the Standard (Hoist The Flag), who is also a blue hen.

Out of the five possible starters from foreign soil, Giovanni Boldini and Outstrip appear to have the strongest chance to visit the winners' circle. Which European colt do you think could win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf?