Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf 2017: Projected field, odds and analysis

The 2017 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is an annual chance for future stars to have a breakout moment. The $1 million event will run Friday, Nov. 3, at Del Mar, and usually brings out talented U.S. and European horses alike. The Juvenile Turf is open to 2 year olds and is run at one mile. 

Here is how the field could shape up with odds by Horse Racing Nation. Also, check out these facts to know before betting.

Archaggelos [25-1 – Temple City – Michael Dickinson – 3-2-1-0 – $89,742]: After breaking his maiden on the Laurel Park turf, Archaggelos won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes over Woodbine’s all-weather surface. Yet to be tested against the big ones.

Beckford (GB) [10-1 – Bated Breath (GB) – Gordon Elliott – 5-2-2-0 – $238,240]: Beckford won his debut and followed that by winning the Group 2 Railway Stakes. From there he posted two seconds in Group 1 company, but was most recently fifth in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. Needs to return to form.

Catholic Boy [15-1 – More Than Ready – Jonathan Thomas – 2-2-0-0 – $114,000]: He’s only had two starts, but has done everything right to date. Last out he burst through horses to win the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes by one length. Unbeaten so far.

Encumbered [20-1 – Violence – Simon Callaghan – 4-2-0-0 – $102,345]: After winning the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes, Encumbered switched to dirt in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes and finished sixth. The Breeders’ Cup gives him a chance to get back on turf, where his two wins came from. Tough spot to switch back to turf.

Flameaway (ON) [12-1 – Scat Daddy – Mark Casse – 4-3-0-0 – $244,074]: Flameaway won the “Win and You’re In” Grade 3 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes, but has never raced on turf. He broke his maiden on synthetic, won the Skidmore Stakes on a muddy track taken off the turf, ran sixth in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes on a fast track, and won the off-the-turf Bourbon on a sloppy track. Great resume, but not proven on turf.

Hemp Hemp Hurray (ON) [10-1 – Artie Schiller – Wesley Ward – 3-2-1-0 – $118,560]: This colt is only a neck away from a perfect record. He won his debut by four lengths at Belmont Park, took the Tyro Stakes by 7 ¼-lenghts, and was just caught by Untamed Domain in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes. Brings American class.

Irish Territory (IRE) [15-1 – Declaration of War – Bill Mott – 2-0-1-0 – $30,332]: He ran seventh first time out but came back to run a good second in the With Anticipation. Needs another big step up.

James Garfield (IRE) [5-1 – Exceed And Excel (AUS) – George Scott – 6-2-1-2 – $112,499]: After a fourth place finish and a nose loss, James Garfield picked up his stakes win in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. On the improve.

Masar (IRE) [20-1 – New Approach (IRE) – Charlie Appleby – 4-2-0-2 – $99,656]: This Group 3 winner was third behind the filly Happily (IRE) last out in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, a “Win and You’re In” event. It looks like Happily will be pointing to the Juvenile Fillies Turf instead though. Will need to improve from last effort.

Mendelssohn [10-1 – Scat Daddy – Aidan O’Brien – 4-1-1-0 - $156,652]: A half-brother to two-time Distaff winner and champion Beholder. This $3 million colt improved from seventh to second in stakes company, with the runner-up effort coming in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. Has the bloodlines to succeed.

My Boy Jack [12-1 – Creative Cause – Keith Desormeaux – 5-1-3-0 – $103,145]: My Boy Jack broke his maiden in the Zuma Beach Stakes after three seconds in a row. He’s been consistent, but has to face much harder competition. Will get an upgrade in competition.

Nelson (IRE) [10-1 – Frankel (GB) – Aidan O’Brien – 5-2-2-0]: Nelson earned an automatic berth in the “Win and You’re In” Group 3 Champions Juvenile Stakes and barely lost the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes. More game competition from Europe.

Rajasinghe (IRE) [20-1 – Choisir (AUS) – Richard Spencer – 4-2-0-1 – $128,657]: He showed his talent by winning the Group 2 Coventry Stakes and was a respectable third in the Group 2 July Stakes, but will have to rebound from an eleventh place run in the Middle Park Stakes. Needs to step back up.

Roaring Lion [8-1 – Kitten’s Joy – John Gosden – 3-3-0-0 – $87,408]: Roaring Lion nearly gave up the “Win and You’re In” Royal Lodge Stakes to Nelson when he drifted close to the wire, but managed to get up just in time. Game European with a perfect record.

Seabhac [10-1 – Scat Daddy – Todd Pletcher – 3-1-1-0 – $144,100]: He was second in his debut, fourth in the With Anticipation, and broke his maiden in the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes. Stakes competition was thrown at him quickly, and the Breeders’ Cup will present another challenge. Has to keep progressing.

Sioux Nation [18-1 – Scat Daddy – Aidan O’Brien – 7-3-1-1 – $261,529]: Following two stakes wins, including the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, Sioux Nation only conjured up sixth in the Middle Park over soft ground. Could bounce back on firm Del Mar turf.

Snapper Sinclair [6-1 – City Zip – Steve Asmussen – 3-2-0-0 – $252,360]: After debuting on dirt and finishing sixth, Snapper Sinclair has two wins since switching to turf. He broke his maiden by four lengths at Saratoga before winning the Turf Showcase Juvenile Stakes at seven furlongs, his longest distance yet. Has to hold winning form through a mile.

Tangled (IRE) [25-1 – Society Rock (IRE) – Richard Hannon – 7-2-1-1 – $225,106]: A stakes winner in Europe, but has not broken through in graded company. He was third last out in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes and has not faced Europe’s best 2 year olds yet. Not likely to break through here.

Tip Two Win (GB) [12-1 – Dark Angel (IRE) – Roger Teal – 5-2-2-1 – $50,077]: Like Tangled, Tip Two Win is a European stakes winner. He was a head in front of Tangled in the Tattersalls. A big leap up to Breeders’ Cup competition.

Untamed Domain [6-1 – Animal Kingdom – Graham Motion – 4-2-0-1 – $165,600]: After breaking his maiden second time out, Untamed Domain rallied to third in the With Anticipation. Next out he got up just in time to win the Grade 2 Summer Stakes, a “Win and You’re In” event. Should bring a strong rally.

U S Navy Flag [3-1 – War Front – Aidan O’Brien – 10-4-1-2]: He’s raced much more than most 2 year olds, but doesn’t seem to be slowing down. U S Navy Flag is on a three race win streak, including two Group 1s in the Middle Park Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. Top European juvenile on a roll.

Voting Control [12-1 – Kitten’s Joy – Chad Brown – 2-1-1-0 – $85,000]: This debut winner was closing fast on Seabhac in the Pilgrim Stakes, finishing second by half a length. He’ll be shortening up by a sixteenth of a mile in the Juvenile Turf. Needs to move in time to catch Breeders’ Cup horses.