Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint

The Sentient Jet Juvenile Sprint is the newest addition to Breeders’ Cup weekend. Though many find it unnecessary, I see it as a great opportunity for two-year-old sprinters to showcase their talent for the Breeders’ Cup crowd. The following four colts are the ones I believe have the best shot. However, there will be plenty of other talented juveniles in the field, so it is not guaranteed that these four will perform the way I expect them to. It’s horse racing; anything could happen. Here are my top four picks for the Juvenile Sprint:

1. Secret Circle:  I have followed this colt since his maiden win, in which he immediately became my favorite juvenile colt. He may possibly run in the Juvenile instead, but it seems more likely that he will run in the Juvenile Sprint. In his maiden race on July 23 at Del Mar, the son of Eddington dominated the field, winning by 7 ¼ lengths. On October 10, Secret Circle easily won the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita. Though he is likely to run in the Juvenile Sprint, the bay colt has a good chance of stretching out in the future. Check out the Juvenile Spotlight I wrote about him at: http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/2011/08/bafferts-next-superstar.html

2. Vexor:  This son of Wildcat Heir is coming off a win in the Nashua Stakes (GII) at Belmont Park, in which he battled with Trinniberg before crossing the wire three-quarters of a length in front. He seems to be very talented, but I am worried that the stretch duel may have taken too much out of him. However, in his only work since the Nashua, he worked a good 48.10 for a half-mile. Besides, by the time the Breeders’ Cup rolls around, it will have been nearly five weeks since he last ran.

3. Trinniberg: After finishing second at 68-1 in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (GI), Trinniberg battled with Vexor to finish second in the Nashua. The son of Teuflesberg seems to be no worse for the wear, as he turned in a bullet work at Churchill Downs for a half-mile in 48.20 on October 20. The colt has only been off the board once, when he finished fifth in the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (GI) to Union Rags. Don’t count him out.

4. Hunt Crossing:  Despite hitting the gate in his first start, Hunt Crossing won his debut by an impressive four lengths for trainer Todd Pletcher. I followed him after that win, but the bay son of Corinthian did not have a good race over the slop in the Hopeful. However, he rebounded with a three-length victory in the Monmouth Park NATC Futurity. He recently worked four furlongs in 49.20 at Churchill Downs, which was the fifth fastest work out of forty. This is Todd Pletcher with a two-year-old; watch out.

*Update: Hunt Crossing is out with an injury.

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