Breeders' Cup Glance: First 2-year-old bids at stake

As the 2020 Breeders’ Cup approaches, “Win and You’re In” berths are up for grabs ahead of the Nov. 6-7 championships at Keeneland. This weekly series from Horse Racing Nation highlights upcoming Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, recaps recent stakes and shows how the fields for each division are shaping up.

Upcoming Challenge Series races

Pocahontas Stakes, Churchill Downs, Thursday (Juvenile Fillies)

Crazy Beautiful, undefeated in two starts for trainer Ken McPeek, is the 2-1 morning line favorite Saturday for the $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G3). This one-mile dirt trip is the first Challenge Series race of 2020 for the Juvenile Fillies division.

The Liam’s Map filly Crazy Beautiful enters the Pocahontas having already won a stakes event, the Ellis Park Debutante, on Aug. 9. Despite being bumped both out of the gates and later in the race, she moved up from seventh to take command and win by 3¾ lengths.

Stanley Hough trainee Inject, the 5-2 second choice, was a debut winner Aug. 15 at Ellis Park for first-crop sire Frosted. Dream Quist, a stablemate to Crazy Beautiful, attempts Thursday to become the first graded stakes winner for 2016 Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist.

Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, Saturday (Juvenile)

Pico d’Oro, winner of the Ellis Park Juvenile on Aug. 9, aims for a graded stakes score Saturday in the $200,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3). The Iroquois goes one mile on the main track under the Twin Spires and is the first Juvenile division “Win and You’re In” race of 2020.

William Morey trains Pico d’Oro, a son of Curlin. The colt broke his maiden on third asking in the Ellis Park Juvenile, making a last-to-first run to win by two lengths.

Steve Asmussen trainee Super Stock is also a stakes winner, having taken the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on Aug. 11 at Lone Star. Ignacio Correas charge Therideofalifetime enters off a second-place run Aug. 7 in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2).

Recent Challenge Series races

Pat O’Brien Stakes, Del Mar (Dirt Mile)

Former claimer C Z Rocket staked a spot in the Breeders’ Cup starting gates Saturday when taking the Pat O’ Brien Stakes (G2).

Coming down the Del Mar stretch, jockey Flavien Prat steered C Z Rocket into a three-way race to the wire between Flagstaff and pace setter Law Abidin Citizen. C Z Rocket surged ahead and came home a neck ahead of Flagstaff to win the seven-furlong event.

“When I asked him, he was good,” Prat said. “He’s a willing horse."

C Z Rocket is 4-for-4 since trainer Peter Miller claimed the 6-year-old this spring at Oaklawn Park. While Saturday’s win punched a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile ticket, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is also an option.

Sword Dancer, Saratoga (Turf)

Channel Maker snapped a 10-race losing streak and scored the third Grade 1 triumph of his career Saturday in the Sword Dancer (G1).

Under jockey Manny Franco, Channel Maker went out to the lead and set patient fractions in the 1½-mile turf stakes. The Bill Mott trainee took the field all the way over a soft Saratoga surface.

"He does appreciate the soft ground, without a doubt," said Mott, who won the Sword Dancer for a fourth time. "He gets over it pretty well, but it might help him more than some of the others."

Channel Maker will likely make his next start at Belmont Park on Oct. 3 in the $250,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1).

Challenge Series race winners

Classic

Authentic, Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park, July 18

Authentic’s win in the Haskell (G1) made him the first runner from the barn of trainer Bob Baffert — a 15-time Breeders’ Cup winner — to clinch a berth in the 2020 Championships. The Kentucky-bred Into Mischief colt is 4-for-5 lifetime. He’s 8-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Ghaiyyath, International Stakes, York, Aug. 19

Ghaiyyath made it 3-for-3 during his 5-year-old season when leading at every call of the International (G1). Enable, Magical and Stradivarius are among rivals the Irish-bred son of Dubawi has defeated this season. Trainer Charlie Appleby said the Breeders’ Cup Turf would be Ghaiyyath’s most likely race if he traveled this fall to Keeneland.

Improbable, Whitney, Saratoga, Aug. 1

Improbable shipped East from Baffert’s California base for the Whitney (G1) and proved best in a field of five millionaires. The Kentucky-bred son of City Zip has now posted back-to-back top-flight wins, also taking the Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1) on June 6 at Santa Anita. Improbable, No. 4 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings, is working at Del Mar.

Maximum Security, Pacific Classic, Del Mar, Aug. 22

Maximum Security became the third Baffert trainee to clinch a Breeders’ Cup Classic berth when going gate-to-wire in the Pacific Classic (G1). The 4-year-old New Year’s Day colt has won six straight races, a streak that began last July in the Haskell (G1), and has 10 official wins in 12 starts. The Kentucky-bred sits at No. 1 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.

Mozu Ascot, February Stakes, Tokyo Racecourse, Feb. 23

A Kentucky-bred son of Frankel, 6-year-old Mozu Ascot is a two-time Group 1 winner in Japan, including his February victory. The Yoshito Yahagi trainee last finished sixth May 5 at Funabashi in the Kashiwa Kinen.

Tom’s d’Etat, Stephen Foster, Churchill Downs, June 27

7-year-old Tom’s d’Etat was a dominant winner of the Stephen Foster (G2) for trainer Al Stall Jr. but saw a four-race winning streak snapped Aug. 1 in the Whitney (G1). The Kentucky-bred Smart Strike horse went off favored at Saratoga but stumbled at the start and finished third to Improbable and By My Standards. Tom’s d’Etat is No. 3 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.

Dirt Mile

C Z Rocket, Pat O’Brien Stakes, Del Mar, Aug. 29

Former claimer C Z Rocket improved to 4-for-4 under Miller when winning the Pat O’Brien (G2). The Florida-bred 6-year-old previously ran for Stall. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint is also an option for the City Zip gelding.

Vekoma, Metropolitan Handicap, Belmont Park, July 4

One race after stamping a Breeders’ Cup Sprint “Win and You’re In” ticket by taking Belmont’s Carter Handicap (G1), Vekoma won the Met Mile (G1) to also earn a Dirt Mile berth. Trainer George Weaver and owners will have to choose which way to go with the 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Candy Ride colt. Vekoma hasn’t turned in a timed work since the Met Mile.

Distaff

Fighting Mad, Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, Del Mar, Aug. 1

Fighting Mad entered her 4-year-old season with only five starts to her name but has become the West Coast’s hottest distaffer. After winning the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) on May 31 at Santa Anita, she backed up 9-5 favoritism in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1). The Kentucky-bred filly shares the same trainer (Baffert), owners/breeders (Gary and Mary West) and sire (New Year’s Day) as Maximum Security. She’s working at Del Mar.

Midnight Bisou, Fleur de Lis, Churchill Downs, June 27

Midnight Bisou looked like her dominant self in the Fleur de Lis (G2), but then took an unexpected loss to Vexatious on Aug. 1 at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign (G1). Asmussen trains the 5-year-old Midnight Lute mare, who was named Eclipse Award 2019 Champion Older Dirt Female. The Kentucky-bred has run twice in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, finishing third in 2018 and second in 2019. Midnight Bisou sits at No. 10 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings and is working at Saratoga.

She’s a Julie, Ogden Phipps Stakes, Belmont Park, June 13

Asmussen trainee She’s a Julie became a two-time Grade 1 winner with her Ogden Phipps victory. The 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Elusive Quality mare then followed that effort July 18 with a seventh-place finish at Monmouth in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) while carrying 127 pounds, six more than any of her nine rivals. She’s a Julie will attempt Friday to defend a 2019 victory in Churchill Downs’ $500,000 La Troienne Stakes (G1). She’s 6-1 on the morning line.

Swiss Skydiver, Alabama, Saratoga, Aug. 15

Swiss Skydiver became the first 3-year-old to clinch a Breeders’ Cup Distaff berth with her Alabama (G1) triumph. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Daredevil has tallied four graded stakes victories this year for McPeek, all of them coming at different tracks. Next up is Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and a showdown with Gamine.

Vexatious, Personal Ensign, Saratoga, Aug. 1

Never one to duck a challenge, Vexatious has made 14 of her 23 career starts in graded stakes. The 6-year-old Jack Sisterson trainee broke through with her biggest win Aug. 1 when beating Midnight Bisou to the wire in the Personal Ensign (G1). The Giant’s Causeway mare posted a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in that victory, the best number a female runner has tallied this season in a main track race going more than a mile. She’s entered in the La Troienne at 4-1 odds.

Filly and Mare Sprint

Serengeti Empress, Ballerina Stakes, Saratoga, Aug. 8

Tom Amoss trainee Serengeti Empress set blazing fractions, then dug in gamely to win the Ballerina (G1). The Kentucky-bred, 4-year-old Alternation filly is now a Grade 1 winner at both one and two turns, having also won the 2019 Kentucky Oaks. She’s entered in the $500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) going seven furlongs Saturday on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Filly and Mare Turf

Almond Eye, Victoria Mile, Tokyo Racecourse, May 17

Sakae Kunieda trains the Japanese-bred Almond Eye, a 5-year-old Lord Kanaloa mare. A Group 1 winner in both Japan and the United Arab Emirates, she was second last out at Tokyo on June 7 in the Yasuda Kinen (G1).

Love, Yorkshire Oaks, York, Aug. 20

Aidan O’Brien trainee Love scored her third consecutive Group 1 win in the Yorkshire Oaks. The Irish-bred, 3-year-old Galileo filly will now target the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe (G1) on Oct. 4 at ParisLongchamp.

Queen Supreme, Cartier Paddock Stakes, Kenilworth, Jan. 11

Irish-bred Queen Supreme is a 4-year-old Exceed and Excel filly trained by Mike de Kock, who American racing fans will remember as conditioner of 2015 Kentucky Derby contender Mubtaahij.

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Campanelle, Prix Morny, Deauville, Aug. 23

Campanelle improved to 3-for-3 so far in her career when taking the Prix Morny (G1) for trainer Wesley Ward. The 2-year-old Kodiac filly also won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. She’s training in France and could work straight up to a start in the Breeders’ Cup, likely in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The Lir Jet, Norfolk Stakes, Ascot, June 19

The Lir Jet improved to 2-for-2 when winning the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. Since that victory, the 2-year-old has run second in a pair of stakes, including the Phoenix (G1) on Aug. 9 at Curragh. Michael Bell trains the Irish-bred Prince of Lir colt.

Mile

Circus Maximus, Queen Anne Stakes, Ascot, June 16

Circus Maximus, a Galileo colt, won his 4-year-old bow in the Queen Anne (G1), marking the second Royal Ascot victory of his career. He’s followed that victory up with second- and third-place efforts in Group 1 events. The Irish-bred O’Brien trainee ran fourth last November in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Gran Alegria, Yasuda Kinen, Tokyo Racecourse, June 7

Kazuo Fujisawa trains the 4-year-old filly Gran Alegria, a daughter of Deep Impact. The Yasuda Kinen marked a second Group 1 triumph in her native Japan.

Halladay, Fourstardave Handicap, Saratoga, Aug. 22

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s first “Win and You’re In” berth came courtesy of Halladay, who earned a Grade 1 breakthrough in the Fourstardave. The 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of War Front has won three of his last four races. He could target the $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) on Oct. 3 at Keeneland, the same track hosting the Breeders’ Cup a month later.

Mohaather, Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, July 29

Four-year-old Mohaather unleashed a thrilling rally to take the Sussex Stakes (G1), a second straight triumph in group company. Marcus Tregoning trains the Great British-bred Showcasing colt.

Palace Pier, Prix Jacques le Marois, Deauville, Aug. 16

Kingman colt Palace Pier improved to 5-for-5 in his career when defeating Circus Maximus and others in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1). John Gosden trains the Great British-bred 3-year-old, who also won the St. James’s Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Raging Bull, Shoemaker Mile Stakes, Santa Anita Park, May 25

The French-bred Raging Bull secured the first “Win and You’re In” berth of the U.S. racing season with his Shoemaker Mile (G1) score. Chad Brown trains the 5-year-old Dark Angel gelding, who was most recently fifth at Saratoga on Aug. 22 in the Fourstardave.

Vardy, L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, Kenilworth, Jan. 11

Vardy is a 5-year-old Var gelding bred in South Africa. Adam Marcus serves as trainer.

Sprint

Collusion Illusion, Bing Crosby Stakes, Del Mar, Aug. 2

Trainer Mark Glatt chose to keep the Twirling Candy colt Collusion Illusion on the West Coast facing older in the Bing Crosby (G1) rather than traveling East to run against fellow 3-year-olds in Saratoga’s H. Allen Jerkens (G1). That proved the right move, with the Florida-bred winning and improving to 5-for-6 lifetime. He’s working at Del Mar and could target the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) on Sept. 27.

Vekoma, Carter Handicap, Belmont Park, June 6

Weaver trainee Vekoma made his Grade 1 breakthrough with a 7 1/4-length Carter victory. The 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Candy Ride colt also won a “Win and You’re In” race for the Dirt Mile Division on July 4 when taking Belmont’s Metropolitan Handicap. He hasn’t worked since the Met Mile.

Turf

Channel Maker, Sword Dancer, Saratoga, Aug. 29

Channel Maker, a 6-year-old son of English Channel, wired the Sword Dancer (G1) to snap a 10-race winless streak. The Ontario-bred has now won Grade 1 events on the NYRA circuit in each of the last three seasons. Mott said the $250,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) on Oct. 3 at Belmont Park will likely serve as Channel Maker’s Breeders’ Cup prep. The gelding was 11th and 12th, respectively, in the 2018 and ’19 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Chrono Genesis, Takarazuka Kinen, Hanshin Racecourse, June 28

4-year-old Bago filly Chrono Genesis scored her second Group 1 victory in the Takarazuka Kinen. Takashi Saito trains the Japanese-bred runner.

Enable, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, July 25

Enable scored the first win of her 6-year-old campaign when taking the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (G1) for a remarkable third time. The Great British-bred daughter of Nathaniel has now earned more than $14 million running for trainer Gosden. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf champ didn’t attempt to defend her title last year. Will she make a trip to the U.S. this November?

Lord North, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Ascot, June 17

Irish-bred 4-year-old Lord North won Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes in his Group 1 debut. Gosden trains the Dubawi gelding, who was third Aug. 19 at York in the International Stakes (G1).

Nao Da Mais, Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini, San Isidro Racecourse, Dec. 14

Nao Da Mais is a four-time Group 1 winner in his native Brazil. The 4-year-old T.H. Approval colt last raced March 14 at San Isidro in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), finishing seventh. Marina Bragante Lopez is the trainer.

Red King, Del Mar Handicap, Del Mar, Aug. 22

Phil D’Amato trainee Red King became a multiple graded stakes winner when upsetting 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up United to win the Del Mar Handicap (G2). The 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of English Channel also won the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3) earlier this summer at Santa Anita.

Turf Sprint

Battaash, Nunthorpe Stakes, York, Aug. 21

Six-year-old gelding Battaash defended his 2019 Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) score by taking the race’s 2020 running. Charlie Hills trains the Irish-bred son of Dark Angel, who has won five of his last six starts dating to last August.

Hello Youmzain, Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Ascot, June 20

Kevin Ryan trains Hello Youmzain, a 4-year-old son of Kodiac. The French-bred colt has run twice since, most recently finishing second Aug. 9 at Deauville in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1).

Oleksandra, Jaipur, Belmont Park, June 20

Six-year-old Animal Kingdom mare Oleksandra edged Kanthaka by a neck in the Jaipur (G1), marking her first top-level victory. Neil Drysdale trains the Australian-bred runner, who’s raced in the U.S. since 2018.