Breeders' Cup glance: Jackie's Warrior aims to stay perfect

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.

The 2020 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series ends this weekend, with a heavy emphasis on racing at Belmont Park. Four "win-and-you're-in" races take place Saturday over Big Sandy, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and Champagne (G1).

Upcoming Challenge Series races

Jessamine – Keeneland, Wednesday, Juvenile Fillies Turf

Aunt Pearl is the 3-1 morning line favorite for the $150,000 Jessamine (G2), which drew a field of 11 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles over Keeneland’s lawn.

Brad Cox trains Aunt Pearl, who debuted a winner last month at Churchill Downs going a mile on the turf. Jockey Florent Geroux stays aboard.

Spanish Loveaffair is off to a 2-for-2 start for trainer Mark Casse, including an August stakes win at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Graham Motion, whose Sharing won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, seeks fees-paid entry into the race’s 2020 edition with Batyah, a debut winner last month at Belmont Park.

Jockey Club Gold Cup, Belmont Park, Saturday, Classic

Will Tacitus finally become a Grade 1 winner? The $250,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Saturday represents his next chance.

Tacitus, a Bill Mott-trained 4-year-old, has a trio of Grade 2 wins, most recently in July at Belmont in the Suburban Stakes. But he is 0-for-5 in Grade 1 company, including a second-place finish to Global Campaign last month at Saratoga in the Woodward Handicap.

Prioritize, who finished third in that Woodward, is probable Saturday for trainer Jimmy Bond. Happy Saver, an undefeated 3-year-old, could make his graded stakes debut against older runners in the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup for trainer Todd Pletcher.

The Champagne – Belmont Park, Saturday, Juvenile

Jackie’s Warrior is the early favorite in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile betting. The Steve Asmussen trainee can establish himself as an even shorter price for that event with a strong showing Saturday in Belmont’s $250,000 Champagne (G1).

The Maclean’s Music colt is 3-for-3 to start his career, including Saratoga stakes wins in the Saratoga Special (G2) and the Hopeful (G1). Jackie’s Warrior earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure in the Hopeful, the best any 2-year-old has posted in 2020.

Reinvestment Risk was second to Jackie’s Warrior in the Hopeful and is probable to take him on again in the one-mile Champagne. Winners of this event over the past two decades include eventual Belmont Stakes champions Birdstone, Union Rags and Tiz the Law.

The Flower Bowl – Belmont Park, Saturday, Filly and Mare Turf

Sistercharlie, Eclipse Award 2018 Champion Turf Female, seeks a repeat victory Saturday in the $250,000 Flower Bowl (G1).

Chad Brown trains the 6-year-old Sistercharlie, who made this event last year a remarkable seventh Grade 1 triumph. She has run third in three starts since, including in August at Saratoga in the Diana Stakes (G1).

Brown also has Cambier Parc and Nay Lady Nay probable for the 1 1/4-mile Flower Bowl. Other probable entries include trainer Shug McGaughey’s Civil Union, who won Saratoga’s Glens Falls Stakes (G2) last month for her third straight score.

The Frizette – Belmont Park, Saturday, Juvenile Fillies

Vequist aims to give her Kentucky Derby-winning sire a second Challenge Series victory Saturday in the $250,000 Frizette (G1).

Robert Reid Jr. trains the Nyquist filly, who broke her maiden last month at Saratoga when winning the Spinaway Stakes (G1). The 2016 Kentucky Derby champion Nyquist also produced Gretzky the Great, a Juvenile Turf division win-and-you're-in race winner.

Forest Caraway has made two Del Mar starts for trainer Peter Miller and is probable to invade New York for the one-mile Frizette. Dayoutoftheoffice is 2-for-2 for trainer Timothy Hamm, though she has not started since winning Saratoga’s Schuylerville (G3) in July.

The Futurity – Belmont Park, Sunday, Juvenile Turf Sprint

Only four runners were listed as probable as of Tuesday afternoon for the final Challenge Series race of 2020, the $100,000 Futurity (G3).

Momos was a debut winner in July at Saratoga for Christophe Clement, then ran third in the Saratoga Special (G2). Royal Approval, who participated at Royal Ascot for trainer Wesley Ward, broke his maiden on third asking last month at Kentucky Downs.

Ward, who also has After Five as a probable starter Sunday, won the Futurity last year with Four Wheel Drive. That 2-year-old went on to take the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Recent Challenge Series races

Alcibiades – Keeneland, Juvenile Fillies

One day before saddling Swiss Skydiver to an upset of the Preakness Stakes, trainer Kenny McPeek saw another of his fillies earn a Grade 1 score.

Simply Ravishing went gate-to-wire Friday at Keeneland to take the Alcibiades (G1) by a commanding 6 1/4 lengths under jockey Luis Saez. Her stablemate Crazy Beautiful finished second to give McPeek a 1-2 finish.

“They are both really special fillies,” McPeek said of Crazy Beautiful and Simply Ravishing. “I kind of hated to run them against each other, but it is a race we are obviously fond of and we felt like we had a heck of a chance with both of them in there. We will probably go to the Breeders’ Cup with both of them.”

Simply Ravishing improved to 3-for-3 to begin her career. She won on debut over the turf Aug. 2 at Saratoga, then switched to the Spa’s main track Sept. 3 to win the P.G. Johnson Stakes.

Phoenix – Keeneland, Sprint

Diamond Oops ran down 51-1 shot Empire of Gold in the final yards of the Phoenix (G2) on Friday at Keeneland to clinch his fees-paid Breeders’ Cup berth.

Jockey Florent Geroux piloted Diamond Oops to a second consecutive victory. The 5-year-old also won Churchill Downs’ Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on Sept. 4 and has established himself as a dual-surface Breeders’ Cup threat.

Andie Biancone, assistant to her father, trainer Patrick Biancone, said she was unsure which Championship event that Diamond Oops will contest Nov. 7.

“Knowing Patrick, he’ll probably wake up a week out and make a decision based on whatever he’s feeling,” Andie Biancone said. “Maybe he’ll flip a coin. We’ll see.”

Thoroughbred Club of America – Keeneland, Filly and Mare Sprint

Eight months after running for a $16,000 tag at Oaklawn Park, Inthemidstofbiz earned a Breeders’ Cup berth Saturday by winning the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

Inthemidstofbiz entered the TCA, her graded stakes debut, on a two-race win streak. Jockey Martin Garcia piloted the 4-year-old to a third straight victory when scoring by three lengths over Sneaking Out.

Trainer and co-owner Cipriano Contreras said someone made him an offer to buy Inthemidstofbiz earlier this year at Presque Isle Downs but, “she’s never run a bad race this year, and I said I want to hang on to her.”

Contreras said Inthemidstofbiz will conduct her Breeders’ Cup training at Indiana Grand. The filly was a $20,000 claim at Keeneland last fall.

First Lady – Keeneland, Filly and Mare Turf

Uni, the Eclipse Award 2019 Champion Turf Female, scored her first win in three starts Saturday when taking the First Lady (G1) for the second year in a row.

The 6-year-old mare tracked Crystal Lake and Newspaperofrecord through the first six furlongs of the mile-long turf race before making her move.

Under jockey Joel Rosario, Uni cleared Newspaperofrecord and went on to a one-length win over Beau Recall.

Uni followed a 2019 First Lady score by winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile. She will look to sweep those two events again in 2020 for trainer Chad Brown.

"Uni ran really well and we'll bring her back (to Belmont Park) to train up to the final start of her career in the Breeders' Cup Mile," Brown said. "Hopefully, she can defend her title."

Shadwell Turf Mile – Keeneland, Mile

Ivar, a Group 1 winner in South America, became a top-level victor on two continents with a strong rally Saturday to win Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).

The 4-year-old was a 14-1 shot in the Shadwell Turf Mile under jockey Joe Talamo. He sat seventh in the nine-horse field before mounting a five-wide charge to blow by his foes to the inside and beat Raging Bull by a length.

Trained by Paulo Lobo, Ivar has now won two of his four starts since coming to North America.

“If you see his races in Argentina, he always comes from off the pace — way off the pace,” said Lobo, who won a Grade 1 race for the first time since his Pico Central took the 2004 Vosburgh Stakes. “Today, it worked very well. … Joe rode him 100 percent magnificent.”

Breeders’ Futurity – Keeneland, Juvenile

Brad Cox, trainer of three Breeders’ Cup winners over the last two years, has a live shot for this year’s Juvenile by way of Essential Quality, winner of Saturday’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Sitting in second, Saez moved Essential Quality past pace setter Upstriker along the backstretch and into the far turn. The Godolphin homebred drew away from there and scored by 3 1/4 lengths over Keepmeinmind.

Essential Quality won the Breeders’ Futurity in only his second career start. He debuted Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs with a maiden special weight win on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

“We’ve had some very nice 2-year-old fillies, but this is probably the best (2-year-old colt) I’ve had as far as talent goes,” said Cox, who saddled British Idiom to a 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies win. “He’s our first Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old colt. He means a lot to us. He showed us from Day 1 that he’s special, very talented.”

Belmont Derby – Belmont Park, Turf

Gufo backed up 3-2 favoritism Saturday in the Belmont Derby (G1) with a strong run from fifth to first for a victory.

The Christophe Clement trainee Gufo tracked mid-pack before making his run in the stretch under jockey Junior Alvarado. He nudged by Moon Over Miami in close quarters before running by Mo Ready and No Word.

An inquiry focused on Gufo’s stretch run regarding possible interference with Moon Over Miami, but stewards let the result stand. The 3-year-old has five wins out of seven starts, and his only loss in 2020 was a runner-up finish in August’s Saratoga Derby Invitational.

"We'll see how he comes out of (Saturday’s) race and how he trains," Clement said when asked about Gufo running in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. "He is going to be a stayer. He will be a lovely horse for next year. We always thought about him being an exciting 3-year-old and he's going to be a fun horse to have."

Preakness Stakes – Pimlico, Classic

Swiss Skydiver made history Saturday as just the sixth filly — and only the second in the last 90 years — to win the Preakness Stakes.

Jockey Robby Albarado made a well-timed move on the backstretch, pushing her forward alongside Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. The duo dueled to the wire, and McPeek’s filly prevailed.

McPeek and owner Peter Callahan now have two possible Breeders’ Cup options for the 3-year-old filly. She secured a Classic berth by winning the Preakness after already earning a Distaff bid in August when taking Saratoga’s Alabama (G1).

“I really like the (Breeders’ Cup Classic distance of a) mile and a quarter,” McPeek said on the Thoroughbred Los Angeles radio program. “I think that’s a great distance for her. But we’ll look at the competition and try and see where she fits best.”

Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp – ParisLongchamp, Turf Sprint

Wooded held off 2019 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1) heroine Glass Slippers to win the race’s 2020 running.

Trained by Francis Graffard and ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the 3-year-old colt dug in deep over heavy ground to score his first Group 1 success.

“He's a horse I've always loved,” Graffard said. “… He'll be a nice sprinter for next year.”

Prix de L’Opera – ParisLongchamp, Filly and Mare Turf

Tarnawa, a Longchamp winner last month in the Prix Vermeille (G1), won over the same course in the Prix de L’Opera (G1) to secure a Breeders’ Cup berth.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly came from back of the field to deny favorite Alpine Star by a short neck in the shadow of the post.

“We will have to discuss plans with (owner-breeder His Highness the Aga Khan) and all the team,” assistant trainer Mark Weld said of the Breeders’ Cup. “… It’s definitely a possibility.”

Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe – ParisLongchamp, Turf

Enable entered Sunday’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe (G1) seeking an unprecedented third victory in Europe’s richest race. French-bred Sottsass played spoiler, winning on home soil.

Sottsass earned a Breeders’ Cup berth for his American ownership but will not be making the trip next month to Keeneland. The Jean-Claude Rouget trainee reportedly will instead be retired to stud.

As for Enable, no retirement decisions have been announced for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner.

Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – ParisLongchamp, Juvenile Turf

Frederic Rossi trainee Sealiway routed a small field Sunday in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1).

The colt won by eight lengths to deliver a Group 1 win for Rossi, who earned his first top-level score in June.

“The season is not over,” Rossi said when asked about the Breeders’ Cup.

Prix Marcel Boussac – ParisLongchamp, Juvenile Fillies Turf

Jessica Marcialis became the first female jockey to win a Group 1 on the flat in France when steering Tiger Tanaka to success in the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1).

Trained by Marcialis’ partner, Charley Rossi, Tiger Tanaka swept past Tasmania in the final stages to score by three-quarters of a length.

"It was incredible because I could see that she was full of running and just looking for the gap,” Rossi said. “When she went clear it was a little unreal for me — but she really has won. I think we've made history today."

Spinster – Keeneland, Distaff

Saez won a Breeders’ Cup win-and-you're-in race for the third day in a row when piloting Valiance to a win Sunday in the Spinster (G1).

The 4-year-old Valiance settled into third place while Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil set a lively pace. Saez mounted an outside bid aboard Valiance, who powered by Shedaresthedevil and held off a charge from runner-up Ollie’s Candy.

Valiance’s four prior starts this season were all scheduled for the turf, though weather forced two of them onto the main track. Trainer Todd Pletcher finally entered the filly for a dirt race Sunday, and she responded with a Grade 1 triumph.

“That was kind of the one thing missing on her resume was that graded stakes win,” said Pletcher, a four-time winner of the Spinster. “With a filly of her quality and pedigree, something like that was so valuable to her and we felt like in light of how well she was doing, it was worth taking a shot.”

Indian Summer – Keeneland, Juvenile Turf Sprint

Bodenheimer worked his way out to a wide lead, then held off a late-charging Cowan to win the Indian Summer.

Under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., Bodenheimer went gate-to-wire, holding on by a length despite tiring in the final yards of the 5½-furlong sprint. Valorie Lund trains the Washington-bred son of Atta Boy Roy, who she saddled to a win in the 2010 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2).

“We are so thrilled because this means we have an opportunity to take him to the Breeders’ Cup,” Lund said. “I've never had a 2-year-old that I thought early in the year was good enough. But when this colt started breezing, I thought ‘He is good enough,’ so that is where we are going."

Bodenheimer is off to a 3-for-4 start to his career. He also scored a stakes win in August at Prairie Meadows in the Prairie Gold Juvenile.

Bourbon – Keeneland, Juvenile Turf

Pletcher and Saez combined for another Challenge Series race winner Sunday when Mutasaabeq made a last-to-first run and won the Bourbon (G2).

Mutasaabeq, a $425,000 auction purchase in November 2018 for owner Shadwell Stable, scored a debut victory in August over Saratoga’s dirt. He stayed on the Spa’s main track to run third a month later in the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

Pletcher gave the Into Mischief colt a shot over the lawn Sunday at Keeneland, and he came all the way from 11th to win. Under Saez, Mutasaabeq drove clear to score by 2¼ lengths.

“The (1 1/16-mile) distance was great for him,” Saez said. “He was working so good on the turf. We knew what we had. When we came to the half-mile I was trying to (decide) where we were going to go — inside or out — but inside we had so many horses. I felt like I had the horse to go out and let him roll. When he came to the straight, he just took off. He did it easy.”

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 Bob Baffert — a 15-time Breeders’ Cup winner — to clinch a berth in the 2020 Championships. The Kentucky-bred Into Mischief colt then scored an even bigger victory Sept. 5 when taking the 2020 Kentucky Derby in front-running fashion. Authentic almost notched another American Classic victory Saturday, but hit the wire a neck short of filly Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness Stakes. The 3-year-old is No. 5 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.

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). The Irish-bred son of Dubawi then took his first loss Sept. 12 when second to Magical in the Irish Champions Stakes (G1). 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; Awesome Again Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

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 followed that victory by coming home and finishing 4 1/2 lengths clear of stablemate Maximum Security in the Awesome Again (G1). Improbable has won three straight races, all in Grade 1 flight, and sits at No. 1 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.

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 then took his first loss since June 2019 when running a well-beaten second in the Awesome Again to stablemate Improbable. The Kentucky-bred is No. 3 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 Stakes victory. The Yoshito Yahagi trainee last finished sixth May 5 at Funabashi in the Kashiwa Kinen.

Swiss Skydiver, Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, Oct. 3

A filly unafraid to race anyone, anytime, anywhere, Swiss Skydiver on Saturday became the sixth female to win the Preakness Stakes in the event’s 145-year history. The 3-year-old Daredevil filly has won five graded stakes in 2020 at five different tracks. The Kentucky-bred also has a Breeders’ Cup Distaff berth in her pocket, giving owner Peter Callahan and trainer Kenny McPeek an intriguing choice to make.

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. 2 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings and is working at Churchill.

Other potential Classic contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): By My Standards, Code of Honor, Global Campaign, Midcourt, Tacitus, Tiz the Law, War of Will.

Dirt Mile

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

Former claimer C Z Rocket improved to 4-for-4 under trainer Peter Miller when winning the Pat O’Brien (G2). The Florida-bred 6-year-old then made it five straight wins Sept. 27 at Santa Anita when taking the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). Miller is leaning toward running the gelding in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint rather than the Dirt Mile.

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 is working at Saratoga.

Other potential Dirt Mile contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Code of Honor, Complexity, Hog Creek Hustle, Jesus’ Team, Knicks Go, Midcourt, Mr. Money, Pirate’s Punch, Rushie, Sharp Samurai, True Timber.

Distaff

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

Fighting Mad scored the first Grade 1 win of her career in the Clement L. Hirsch. The 4-year-old returned with a third-place finish Sept. 27 at Santa Anita in the Zenyatta Stakes (G2). The Kentucky-bred filly shares the same trainer (Baffert), owners/breeders (Gary and Mary West) and sire (New Year’s Day) as Maximum Security. 

Harvest Moon, Zenyatta Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 27

Uncle Mo filly Harvest Moon faced older female runners for the first time in the Zenyatta Stakes and came away a winner. Simon Callaghan trains the Kentucky-bred 3-year-old who has won four straight races, including a pair of graded stakes.

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

Midnight Bisou’s Fleur de Lis (G2) win proved to be the last victory of her career. The 5-year-old Midnight Lute mare was retired last week after sustaining an injury. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she was named Eclipse Award 2019 Champion Older Dirt Female. Midnight Bisou finished her career with a 22: 13-6-3 record, five Grade 1 triumphs and more than $7.4 million earned.

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 followed that victory with two off-the-board finishes and was retired. She’s a Julie ended her career with a 21: 7-2-4 ledger, a pair of Grade 1 wins and more than $1.1 million in earnings.

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 five graded stakes victories this year for trainer McPeek, all at different tracks. That includes a win Saturday in the Preakness Stakes, making her the sixth female to win that event in its 145 years.

Valiance, Spinster, Keeneland, Oct. 4

Valiance, who had raced primarily on the lawn, switched to the main track and scored the biggest win of her career Sunday in the Spinster (G1). Todd Pletcher trains the 4-year-old Tapit filly. The Kentucky-bred has won three straight races, all on different courses.

Vexatious, Personal Ensign, Saratoga, Aug. 1

Vexatious, a 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 then finished a disappointing fifth in the La Troienne (G1) on Sept. 4 at Churchill. She has worked at Keeneland since that last start.

Other potential Distaff contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Bonny South, Ce Ce, Dunbar Road, Monomoy Girl, Ollie’s Candy, Point of Honor, Shedaresthedevil, Speech.

Filly and Mare Sprint

Inthemidstofbiz, Thoroughbred Club of America, Keeneland, Oct. 3

Inthemidstofbiz, who was claimed last October at Keeneland for $20,000, returned to the Lexington, Ky., track Saturday and upset the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) as a 13-1 shot. Cipriano Contreras trains the 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Fed Biz filly, who has won three straight starts.

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 put forth another valiant effort Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in the Derby City Distaff (G1) but lost a head bob to Bell’s the One. She is working at Churchill.

Other potential Filly and Mare Sprint contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Bell’s the One, Bellafina, Come Dancing, Four Graces, Frank’s Rockette, Gamine, Venetian Harbor.

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).

Champers Elysees, Matron Stakes, Leopardstown, Sept. 12

Champers Elysees earned trainer Johnny Murtagh a trip to the 2020 Breeders’ Cup when taking the Matron Stakes (G1). The 3-year-old Elzaam filly started the season 4-for-4 before running fourth Saturday at Newmarket in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1). Bred in Ireland, Champers Elysees could run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile rather than the Filly and Mare Turf.

Love, Yorkshire Oaks, York, Aug. 20

Aidan O’Brien trainee Love scored her third consecutive Group 1 win in the Yorkshire Oaks. O'Brien decided against running the Irish-bred, 3-year-old Galileo filly in Sunday’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe (G1). She will now be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, for which she is a favorite in futures betting.

Mucho Unusual, Rodeo Drive Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

Mucho Unusual became the first California-bred runner to win a 2020 Challenge Series race when leading at every call of the Rodeo Drive (G1). Tim Yakteen trains the 4-year-old Mucho Macho Man filly.

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.

Tarnawa, Prix de L’Opera, ParisLongchamp, Oct. 4

The 4-year-old, Irish-bred Tarnawa made it three straight victories Sunday by taking the Prix de L’Opera (G1) over favorite Alpine Star. Dermot Weld trains the Shamardal filly.

Uni, First Lady, Keeneland, Oct. 3

Uni defended a 2019 victory in Keeneland’s First Lady (G1) by taking the race’s 2020 edition. The First Lady is Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf qualifier, but do not expect to see the Great British-bred 6-year-old in that event. Trainer Chad Brown said the More Than Ready mare will instead make her career finale in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race she won last year.

Other potential Filly and Mare Turf contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Audarya, Beau Recall, Bodhicitta, Cayenne Pepper, Fancy Blue, Half Light, Magical, Mean Mary, Nazeef, Rushing Fall, Sistercharlie.

Juvenile

Essential Quality, Breeders’ Futurity, Keeneland, Oct. 3

Essential Quality followed up a debut victory on the Kentucky Derby undercard by taking his stakes bow in Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Brad Cox trains the Kentucky-bred Tapit colt, who is a Godolphin homebred.

Get Her Number, American Pharoah Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

In his first start on dirt, Kentucky-bred Get Her Number became a Grade 1 winner when taking the American Pharoah. Miller trains the Dialed In colt, who was a modest $45,000 auction purchase earlier this year.

Sittin On Go, Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, Sept. 5

Sittin On Go became the first 2-year-old to clinch a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile berth when upsetting the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at 24-1 odds for trainer Dale Romans. The Kentucky-bred son of Brody’s Cause is 2-for-2, having also won on debut Aug. 16 at Ellis Park.

Other potential Juvenile contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Jackie’s Warrior, Keepmeinmind, Pickin’ Time, Rombauer, Weston.

Juvenile Fillies

Girl Daddy, Pocahontas Stakes, Churchill Downs, Sept. 3

Uncle Mo filly Girl Daddy clinched the first Juvenile Fillies division “Win and You’re In” berth when taking the Pocahontas Stakes (G3). Romans trains the Kentucky-bred 2-year-old, who is unbeaten in two starts.

Princess Noor, Chandelier Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

Jockey Victor Espinoza compared Princess Noor to his legendary mounts American Pharoah and California Chrome after she dominated the Chandelier (G2). The Kentucky-bred Not This Time filly runs for Baffert.

Simply Ravishing, Alcibiades, Keeneland, Oct. 2

Simply Ravishing delivered McPeek a 1-2 finish in the Alcibiades (G1) when coming home 6 1/4 lengths clear of stablemate Crazy Beautiful. The New York-bred Laoban filly has banked more than $300,000 in her three starts, six times the $50,000 she sold for last fall.

Other potential Juvenile Fillies contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Cantata, Crazy Beautiful, My Girl Red, Princess Secret, Travel Column, Varda, Vequist.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Isabella Giles, Rockfel Stakes, Newmarket, Sept. 25

An Irish-bred daughter of Balardo, Isabella Giles made the Rockfel Stakes (G2) her second straight victory going seven furlongs in group company. Trainer Clive Cox has never saddled a Breeders’ Cup starter.

Lady Speightspeare, Natalma Stakes, Woodbine, Sept. 20

Lady Speightspeare acted up in the gate, but then got down to business to win Woodbine’s Natalma (G1) in her stakes debut. The Kentucky-bred Speightstown filly is trained by Roger Attfield.

Shale, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Sept. 13

In his first year as a trainer, Donnacha O’Brien has earned a trip to the Breeders’ Cup thanks to Shale’s victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1). The Irish-bred 2-year-old is a Galileo filly.

Tiger Tanaka, Prix Marcel Boussac, ParisLongchamp, Oct. 4

Charley Rossi trains the Irish-bred Clodovil filly Tiger Tanaka, who improved to 6-for-7 in her career when taking the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1).

Other potential Juvenile Fillies Turf contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Alda, Aunt Pearl, Batyah, Campanelle, Editor At Large, Emro, Fluffy Socks, Happy Romance, Invincible Gal, King’s Harlequin, Madone, Nazuna, Plum Ali, Pretty Gorgeous.

Juvenile Turf

Cadillac, Champions Juvenile Stakes, Leopardstown, Sept. 12

The first Juvenile Turf berth of 2020 went to Irish-bred 2-year-old Cadillac, who dominated the Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2). Jessica Harrington trains the son of Lope De Vega and said a Breeders’ Cup start is likely.

Gretzky the Great, Summer Stakes, Woodbine, Sept. 20

Trainer Mark Casse won the Summer Stakes (G1) for the fourth time since 2013 thanks to Gretzky the Great, an Ontario-bred son of first-crop sire Nyquist. The colt already has three wins to his name, all coming at Woodbine.

Mutasaabeq, Bourbon, Keeneland, Oct. 4

After making his first two starts over Saratoga’s dirt, Mutasaabeq shifted to the lawn to earn a first stakes victory in Keeneland’s Bourbon (G2). Pletcher trains the Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief.

New Mandate, Royal Lodge Stakes, Newmarket, Sept. 26

Ralph Beckett trains New Mandate, an Irish-bred, gelded son of New Bay who made the Royal Lodge (G2) a third straight victory. Beckett has a Breeders’ Cup championship to his name thanks to Muhannak’s 2008 victory in the Marathon at Santa Anita.

Sealiway, Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, ParisLongchamp, Oct. 4

Frederic Rossi trains Sealiway, a French-bred Galiway colt who scored the first graded win of his career in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1).

Other potential Juvenile Turf contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Abarta, Big Fish, Credit River, Ebeko, Fire At Will, Into the Sunrise, Laws of Indices, Military Style, Outadore, Pivotal Mission, Policy of Truth, Public Sector, Ready to Repeat, The Lir Jet.

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Amanzi Yimpilo, Speakeasy Stakes, Santa Anita, Sept. 26

Trainer Wesley Ward sent Irish-bred Amanzi Yimpilo west to Santa Anita to punch her Breeders’ Cup ticket by taking the Speakeasy. The No Nay Never filly is 2-for-3 to start her career.

Bodenheimer, Indian Summer, Keeneland, Oct. 4

The Evergreen State will be represented in the Breeders’ Cup thanks to Bodenheimer, a Washington-bred Atta Boy Roy colt. The Valorie Lund trainee is 3-for-4 to start his career, including a pair of stakes wins.

Campanelle, Prix Morny, Deauville, Aug. 23

The Irish-bred Campanelle improved to 3-for-3 so far in her career when taking the Prix Morny (G1) for Ward. The 2-year-old Kodiac filly also won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. She is training at Keeneland and could work 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 is winless in three starts. Michael Bell trains the Irish-bred Prince of Lir colt.

Other potential Juvenile Turf Sprint contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Aloha Star, Cowan, Dirty Dangle, Golden Pal, Happy Romance, Method, Mighty Gurkha, Miss Amulet, Omaha City, Steel Bull, Ubettabelieveit, Wyfire.

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 has followed that victory up with by finishing second, third and third in a trio of Group 1 events. The Irish-bred Aidan 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 Japanese-bred runner added a third Group 1 score to her resume Sunday at Nakayama in the Sprinters Stakes.

Halladay, Fourstardave Handicap, Saratoga, Aug. 22

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 but scratched out of Saturday’s Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland.

Ivar, Shadwell Turf Mile, Keeneland, Oct. 3

Brazilian-bred Ivar, a Group 1 winner in South America, earned the first U.S. stakes win of his career Saturday in the Shadwell Turf Mile. Paulo Lobo trains the 4-year-old Agnes Gold colt. He will work to the Breeders’ Cup at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington.

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. Brown trains the 5-year-old Dark Angel gelding. Raging Bull is winless in three starts since, most recently running second to Ivar in the Shadwell Turf Mile.

Starship Jubilee, Woodbine Mile, Woodbine, Sept. 19

Canada’s 2019 Horse of the Year, Starship Jubilee, continued her remarkable career when beating a field full of male runners in the 2020 Woodbine Mile (G1). Kevin Attard trains the 7-year-old Indy Wind mare, who now shows 19 victories out of 38 starts. The Florida-bred Starship Jubilee has five wins through six starts this season and returned to the work tab Saturday at Woodbine.

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.

Other potential Mile contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Beau Recall, Champers Elysees, Digital Age, Earthlight, Kameko, March to the Arch, Mo Forza, Newspaperofrecord, One Master, Pinatubo, Safe Voyage, Sharp Samurai, Sinawann, Speak of the Devil, Uni, War of Will, Without Parole.

Sprint

C Z Rocket, Santa Anita Sprint Championship, Santa Anita, Sept. 27

C Z Rocket, who had already clinched a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile berth, won a Sprint division qualifier in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). The 6-year-old City Zip gelding is now 5-for-5 since being claimed this spring by Miller. The trainer said he is leaning toward running the Florida-bred in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint rather than the Dirt Mile.

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

Trainer Mark Glatt saddled the 3-year-old Collusion Illusion to a victory against older runners in the Bing Crosby (G1). The Florida-bred son of Twirling Candy faced older company again in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship, finishing third. Collusion Illusion is 5-for-7 lifetime.

Diamond Oops, Phoenix, Keeneland, Oct. 2

Trainer Patrick Biancone has a dual-surface Breeders’ Cup threat in Diamond Oops. The Kentucky-bred 5-year-old followed a September victory at Churchill Downs in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) by taking Keeneland’s Phoenix (G2) over the main track. The Lookin At Lucky gelding surpassed the $1 million career earnings mark with his latest score, the fourth graded stakes win of his career.

Firenze Fire, The Vosburgh, Belmont Park, Sept. 26

Firenze Fire, a three-time Breeders’ Cup participant, punched his ticket for a fourth trip Saturday by winning the Vosburgh (G2). The 5-year-old son of Poseidon’s Warrior is 2-for-5 since moving to the barn of trainer Kelly Breen, with both those wins coming at Belmont. The Florida-bred Firenze Fire’s previous best Breeders’ Cup finish was a fourth-place effort in the 2018 Dirt Mile.

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 July 4 when taking Belmont’s Metropolitan Handicap. Vekoma is working at Saratoga.

Other potential Sprint contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Complexity, Echo Town, Empire of Gold, Flagstaff, Whitmore, Wildman Jack, Yaupon.

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 then scored a fourth career Grade 1 triumph Sunday at Belmont in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1). The gelding was 11th and 12th, respectively, in the 2018 and ’19 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf for trainer Bill Mott.

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. Her bid for a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe (G1) came up short Sunday when finishing sixth at ParisLongchamp. The Great British-bred daughter of Nathaniel has now earned more than $14 million running for trainer Gosden. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf champ did not attempt to defend her title last year.

Gufo, Belmont Derby, Belmont Park, Oct. 3

Gufo made a charge from mid-pack, then survived a stewards’ inquiry to win Saturday’s Belmont Derby (G1). Trained by Christophe Clement, the Kentucky-bred sports a 5-for-7 lifetime record with a pair of graded stakes wins. Clement has not yet committed to running the Declaration of War colt in the Breeders’ Cup. Gufo could await the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) on Nov. 28 at Del Mar, where he would face fellow 3-year-olds.

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).

Magical, Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Sept. 12

Aidan O’Brien saddled 5-year-old Magical to a seventh career Group 1 triumph in the Irish Champion Stakes. The Irish-bred Galileo mare has one U.S. start over her 25 career races, running second to Enable in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf. O’Brien said Magical is likely to travel across the Atlantic for this November’s championships.

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.

Pimper’s Paradise, Grande Premio Brasil, Hipodromo da Gavea, Sept. 27

Venancio Nahid trains 5-year-old Pimper’s Paradise, a Brazilian-bred son of Put It Back. The Grande Premio Brasil victory was his second in Group 1 company.

Sottsass, Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, ParisLongchamp, Oct. 4

Sottsass grinded out a win over heavy going to upset Enable and others in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. American racing fans will not see the French-bred 4-year-old compete next month at Keeneland, however. The Siyouni colt has reportedly been retired.  

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. He is working at Keeneland.

Other potential Turf contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Arklow, Donjah, Ghaiyyath, Love, Originaire, Tarnawa, United, Zulu Alpha.

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.

Glass Slippers, Flying Five Stakes, Curragh, Sept. 13

Glass Slippers earned a Breeders’ Cup berth when taking the Flying Five Stakes (G1) for trainer Kevin Ryan. The 4-year-old, Great British-bred filly is a daughter of Dream Ahead. The 2019 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1) winner was second in that event Sunday.

Hello Youmzain, Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Ascot, June 20

Ryan also trains Hello Youmzain, a 4-year-old son of Kodiac. The French-bred colt has run three times since his Diamond Jubilee (G1) score, most recently finishing fifth at Haydock Park on Sept. 5 in the Betfair Sprint Cup (G1).

Imprimis, Turf Sprint, Kentucky Downs, Sept. 12

Imprimis, who was disqualified from a win at Saratoga on Aug. 8 in the Troy Stakes (G3), got to keep his first-place laurels when coming home first in the Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Joe Orseno trains the 6-year-old Broken Vow gelding. The Florida-bred Imprimis was sixth last year in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and is working at Gulfstream Park.

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 has raced in the U.S. since 2018. Oleksandra turned in her first timed work in more than three months Friday at Belmont.

Wooded, Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, Oct. 4

Wootton Bassett colt Wooded held off Glass Slippers to earn a first Group 1 win in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp. Francis Graffard trains the French-bred 3-year-old.

Other potential Turf Sprint contenders (according to the Breeders’ Cup website): Big Runner, Diamond Oops, Equilateral, Extravagant Kid, Got Stormy, Guildsman, Kimari, Leinster, Mr. Melody, Stubbins, Wildman Jack.