Prospect Watch: Cox, Pletcher unveil pre-Christmas juveniles
In the days leading up to Christmas, Turfway Park, Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds will host intriguing maiden special weights for 2-year-olds. Among the most notable entrants are well-bred first-time starters trained by Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher.
Those promising juveniles are among the five newcomers I’ll highlight in this penultimate Prospect Watch of 2023.
Friday
Turfway Park race 5: Maiden special weight (6 1/2 furlongs, 7:55 p.m. EST)
No. 6 Pure Force
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Constitution–Mexican Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Brad Cox
Since 2020, trainer Brad Cox has gone 4-for-12 debuting juveniles at Turfway Park. This bodes well for Cox’s unraced 2-year-old Pure Force, a son of Florida Derby (G1) and Donn Handicap (G1) winner Constitution. Produced by the Group 1-placed Prix de la Grotte (G3) winner Mexican Gold, Pure Force is a Juddmonte homebred who has put together a sharp work tab at Churchill Downs, highlighted by a bullet half-mile from the starting gate in 48.4 seconds. He looks ready to win on debut under hot apprentice jockey Axel Concepcion, who rides with a five-pound weight allowance.
Saturday
Gulfstream Park Race 2: Maiden special weight (1 1/16 miles on turf, 12:39 p.m.)
No. 2 Missouri River
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Arrogate–Wholelottashakin, by Scat Daddy
Purchase price: $275,000
Trainer: Danny Gargan
It’s interesting to see Missouri River debuting on turf. As a son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate and a half-brother to Davona Dale (G2) heroine Wholebodemeister, he’s bred to shine on dirt. But Missouri River has posted a bunch of workouts on grass, capping off his pre-race training with a half-mile around the dogs at Palm Meadows in 51.2 seconds, so perhaps he’s shown an affinity for grass that will carry him to victory on race day.
No. 10 My G
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro–Perfect Note, by Elusive Quality
Purchase price: $400,000
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
It’s no wonder why My G sold for $400,000 as a yearling. He’s a son of multiple Grade 1 winner and acclaimed sire Medaglia d’Oro out of Perfect Note, a daughter of five-time Grade 1 winner Music Note and a half-sister to Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Mystic Guide. My G breezed five furlongs at Palm Beach Downs in a bullet 1:00.4 last Saturday and has the pedigree to shine on dirt more than turf, but running long figures to be his strong suit, so debuting over 1 1/16 miles, even if on grass, should help him factor under four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
Fair Grounds race 5: Maiden special weight (1 1/16 miles, 3:00 p.m.)
No. 5 Bisate
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: City of Light–Sam’s Sister, by Brother Derek
Purchase price: $325,000
Trainer: Philip Bauer
Bisate is a son of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner City of Light out of La Brea (G1) heroine Sam’s Sister, so there’s a lot of class in his pedigree. And he’s put together a flashy work tab at Churchill Downs highlighted by a half-mile from the starting gate in 47.2 seconds, so it appears Bisate has talent to match his flashy breeding. Brisnet stats indicate City of Light sires an excellent 15 percent winners from first-time starters, and when combined with Bauer’s lofty 26 percent strike rate with debuting runners, there’s a lot to like about Bisate’s chances.
No. 8 Ice Wolf
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Uncle Mo–Bobby’s Babe, by Smart Strike
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Gregory Foley
Ice Wolf, a son of champion and successful sire Uncle Mo, is slated to become the ninth starter produced by the Smart Strike mare Bobby’s Babe. Her previous foals include Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Sprint winner May Lily, John B. Connally Turf Cup (G2) runner-up Zapperini and the multiple Grade 2-placed Kentucky Derby starter Major Fed. Ice Wolf worked a half-mile in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs last month and can’t be counted out of the mix under hot jockey James Graham, though it should be noted trainer Gregory Foley wins with only 4 percent of his first-time starters. Look for Ice Wolf to improve with experience and maturity.