McPeek explains why Rattle N Roll might skip Breeders’ Cup

Trainer Kenny McPeek repeated Sunday morning what he said Saturday: Rattle N Roll, winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, might bypass the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in favor of a race at his Churchill Downs base.

Owned by Lucky Seven Stable, the son of Connect earned entry to the Nov. 5 Juvenile at Del Mar with Saturday’s victory.

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“I am not going to commit yet,” McPeek said Sunday. “My first instinct is to wait for the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on Nov. 27. The Breeders’ Cup is an ‘away game,’ and I know he likes Churchill a lot.”

Rattle N Roll made his career debut with a third-place finish June 26 at Churchill and returned in September to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden race. He was a clear winner at the same distance in the Breeders’ Futurity.

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“This colt wants even more distance,” McPeek said. “I think a mile and a quarter is what he is asking for.”

Rattle N Roll is a two-time graduate of Keeneland auctions. He was sold as a weanling for $55,000 at the 2019 November Breeding Stock Sale and was purchased by McPeek as an agent at last year’s September Yearling Sale for $210,000.

McPeek said he saw a strong resemblance to the colt’s paternal grandsire, Curlin, when he saw Rattle N Roll at the September Sale. As an agent, McPeek purchased Curlin at the 2005 September Sale.

McPeek said Rattle N Roll also is reminiscent of Tejano Run, who won the 1994 Breeders’ Futurity for him. Tejano Run evolved into a graded-stakes-winning millionaire and Kentucky Derby runner-up.

“Tejano Run was a big, scopey horse – tall with a lot of leg to him,” he said. “Rattle N Roll has a beautiful hip and big, deep shoulder. Beautiful horse overall.”

McPeek’s family, crew and friends had multiple reasons for festivities Saturday night at his traditional semi-annual barbecue and bonfire at his Magdalena Farm in Lexington, Ky. About 100 people attended to celebrate the Breeders’ Futurity triumph, the 21st birthday of McPeek’s daughter, Jenna, and the University of Kentucky football team’s victory over LSU.

“We had birthday cake, and Jenna had champagne,” he said.

Double Thunder, owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III, came out of his runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Futurity in good order, according to Ginny DePasquale, assistant to Todd Pletcher. Double Thunder broke last in the field of 13 and rallied to claim the second spot.

“The one hole in a big field, it’s tough,” DePasquale said. “I thought he ran well.”

Pletcher said via text that Double Thunder would be shipped back to Belmont Park, and “we will keep our options open.”