Breeders Bowl Juvenile Dirt Sprint
The Breeders Bowl Juvenile Dirt Sprint promises to be a fiercely competitive affair, with a full field set to face the starter. Among the headline contenders are the undefeated El Negro Marimon, the top-ranked juvenile Hero of Fifty Six, and a quartet of fillies looking to make their mark.
Gustavsson and El Negro Marimon share favoritism at 10/1, while the longest-priced runner sits at just 21/1 — a clear indication of the depth and evenness of this field. With the $750,000 total purse and end-of-year awards on the line, the winner will almost certainly need to deliver a career-best performance.
Last year, Humor It Now (Crandy) captured the title, finishing ahead of Blue Moon Bandit (Stockswami) and She Stole My Cash (Kashbarn). This year’s renewal looks every bit as intriguing, with 20 juveniles chasing a prestigious victory in what shapes as one of the most wide-open contests on the card.
1. ZIPFELD (MD) 2c tenpoint998 D.Givins (20/1)
Tenpoint saddles up Maryland-bred Zipfeld (Blofeld) for Orphan Racing. With two wins from five career starts, he has already shown considerably more ability than his modestly performed dam, who managed just two victories from nineteen starts at maiden and allowance level. A dual acceptor for Tenpoint, Zipfeld has developed into a promising stakes performer. He made a winning debut in a restricted Maryland Allowance, leading from start to finish before immediately stepping up to stakes company and producing an eye-catching third over 6.5 furlongs. He was far from disgraced when dropping back in distance and encountering an off track for the first time, finishing fifth. In the G2 Stanford, he again filled fifth spot, making only marginal headway from midfield but finishing just two lengths from the winner to suggest he belongs at this level. His latest effort was undoubtedly his best. Stepping up to seven furlongs in The Future Stakes, he produced a powerful late finish to sweep past the leaders and claim victory, defeating several rivals he meets again here. The return to six furlongs is perhaps not ideal, but the booking of D. Givins is a positive factor. A proven stakes performer who is hitting his stride, Zipfeld must be considered a genuine contender.
2. BLANKET O’ROSES (KY) 2f sjmeola23 J.Drozd (12/1)
Sjmeola saddles up the scratch-bred Blanket O’Roses (Cody’s Wish) for Orphan Racing. An ultra-consistent filly, she takes on the boys for the first time here. She broke her maiden at her second start, going wire to wire in a Kentucky maiden at juicy odds, before placing and winning in allowance company at her next two outings. Making her black-type debut in the G2 Iron Deck over 6.5 furlongs, she acquitted herself admirably, finishing runner-up by just a quarter of a length. She again filled the runner-up spot last time out in the Konvictee Dirt Juvenile Stakes over 7 furlongs, leading until the latter stages while posting a career-best SP of 92. Drawn to roll forward, she looks likely to dictate the tempo, and if she can secure some cheap early sectionals, she’ll take some running down.
3. BUCK PHOENIX (KY) 2c cashbred R.Hansen (15/1)
Buck Phoenix (National Treasure) is prepared by Cashbred for Orphan Racing. Lightly raced with just four starts under his belt, this promising colt has come to hand quickly. His dam was a multiple sprint and stakes winner, and Buck Phoenix has already shown plenty of ability of his own. He broke through for an allowance victory at his second start, reeling off impressive sectionals when wiring the field. A change of tactics at his next outing produced the same result, as he rose substantially in class to capture the G2 High Roller’s Juvenile. Settling just beyond midfield, he finished powerfully to secure a black-type victory at only his third start, posting an SP of 85. After a three-month break, he tasted defeat for the first time in the G1 Hopeless Stakes, although he still managed to finish ahead of several more fancied rivals. The return to 6 furlongs looks ideal, and he should acquit himself well with conditions more to his liking.
4. DANDAKEN (KY) 2f alibilane14 J.Caves (19/1)
Oakridge saddles up Dandaken (Domestic Product) for The Mecca. She came to hand quickly, placing at stakes level at her second and third starts after breaking through in a hot race. She secured an allowance victory at her second attempt over the longer 7.5-furlong trip, settling midfield before finishing powerfully to record a career-best SP of 88. Dandaken then demonstrated her versatility when dropping sharply back to 4.5 furlongs and tackling graded company for the first time. She proved equal to the task, producing an impressive late surge from beyond midfield to land her maiden graded victory. Now taking on the boys for the first time, she faces another significant test. Her finishing power is a definite asset, but the sharper early speed in this field may find her out.
5. PRINCESS KATI (KY) 2f kool4katz5 E.Siefert (14/1)
Princess Kati (Tale of Ekati), representing Coolk and Orphan Racing, brings one of the most exciting juvenile resumes into this contest, having won her last seven starts. Out of the Hall of Fame, Grade 1-winning sprint mare Awesome Princess, she broke her maiden at her second attempt over 6 furlongs before following up in allowance company over 6.5 furlongs. She announced herself in black type in the Smooth Hennessy over 5.5 furlongs, producing an arrogant late-running victory by more than five lengths. Stepping up to G2 level in Vermont’s BB Juvenile Filly, she again went to another level, unleashing her customary late surge to account for her rivals with consummate ease. Another victory in an Orphans-restricted stakes race followed before she captured the G3 Buckeye Debutante in Ohio over 6 furlongs, once again powering home to prevail. She was much too good again last time out, overwhelming the opposition as a prohibitive favourite in a stakes race in Brazil. Taking on the boys presents a significantly stiffer challenge, but winning form is good form. Expect her to settle and unleash that devastating finishing burst late.
6. CITY MULE (KY) 2c tenpoint998 N.Labreche (20/1)
Tenpoint saddles up City Mule (Army Mule) for Orphan Racing. His dam was stakes-placed over a mile, and he is a dual acceptor for Tenpoint. Making his first appearance in stakes grade in the Dynaprospector Dirt Juvenile over 6.5 furlongs, he never threatened the leaders. His first win of note came in allowance company over 5 furlongs before he secured stakes success in Norway’s South from Car Dirt Juvenile over 6 furlongs. Stepping up to the mile last time out for the Keggerday Juvenile in Ontario, he was no match for the leading contenders, maintaining his position throughout to finish just outside the placings. The return to 6 furlongs looks more suitable, but he faces a tough assignment and may struggle to make an impact at this level.
7. OUTTA DA BLUE (KY) 2g beerkeg2 J.Hornibrook (20/1)
Beerkeg saddles up the scratch-bred Outta Da Blue (Into Mischief) for Midas. His sole victory came at his first attempt in a hot race, suggesting plenty of early promise. He followed up with back-to-back runner-up finishes in stakes and G2 company over 5 and 6 furlongs respectively, but was unable to build on that form when finishing down the track in the G3 Manor Bashford. Stepping up to the mile in the G3 Trixy Delight’s Special in Argentina, he weakened late to finish sixth. Last time out, he raced midfield in the G2 Future Stakes but never threatened, finishing twelfth, beaten just three and a half lengths. His early-season form offered plenty of encouragement, but three disappointing efforts over varying distances have left his trainer searching for answers. He needs to rediscover his best form, and confidence is understandably low heading into this assignment.
8. EL NEGRO MARIMON (KY) 2c haack02 O.A.Haack (10/1)
Haack saddles up El Negro Marimon (Nyquist) for LDM. Out of a G3-winning mare over 5 furlongs, he arrives as the only undefeated runner in the field and boasts an exciting profile. He made a winning debut in a Japanese maiden over 5 furlongs, coming from well back to finish powerfully and score going away. He followed up in allowance company, again producing a last-to-first performance, before completing the hat-trick with another devastating late surge over the same distance. Stepping up in both trip and class for Thailand’s Galileos Gold Dirt Juvenile over 5.5 furlongs, he emphatically proved he belongs at this level, storming from last to first in slick time. Sharing favoritism here, he also owns the highest SP in the entire field. If he can reproduce the brilliance of his latest performance, he will be a major force in the finish as he looks to preserve his unbeaten record.
9. HERO OF FIFTY SIX (AR) 2c cjt5 K.Ledwith (15/1)
Corza saddles up Hero of Fifty Six (Awesome Hero) for EWC. Out of a stakes-winning turf mare, this Arkansas-bred colt arrives as the top-ranked juvenile in the field, boasting four wins from six starts and the highest earnings of any runner. Interestingly, his only two defeats have come on off tracks. He recorded his first graded success in May’s G2 BB Juvenile in Vermont, storming home from the back to score impressively with an SP of 89. He backed that up over the same sprint distance in Spain’s G2 Midsoil Stakes, again producing a barnstorming late run to overhaul the leaders. His first venture into elite G1 company came in California’s Dell Computer Futurity, where he stepped up to 7 furlongs and displayed tremendous determination to get up in the final stride, posting an SP of 90. His latest effort is best forgiven, with the wet track potentially against him as he tackled a mile for the first time. He brings the strongest credentials into this contest as the field’s only G1 winner. Expect him to settle well off the pace before unleashing his trademark late charge when it matters most.
10. GUSTAVSSON (KY) 2c veeman36 C.Edwards (10/1)
Veeman saddles up the scratch-bred Gustavsson (Nyquist) for DUR. With three wins from four starts, this promising colt has quickly established himself as a serious juvenile contender. He broke his maiden at his first attempt, coming from midfield to win comfortably, before returning over the same 5-furlong journey to prove far too good again, scoring by three lengths in slick time. His unbeaten record came to an end when tackling black-type company for the first time in the G3 Montana Futurity over 5.5 furlongs, where he encountered an off track and had to settle for second. He bounced straight back at his latest outing, capturing the G3 Baby Tree in New Jersey over 6 furlongs and defeating several rivals he meets again here, while posting a blistering SP of 91. Sharing favoritism at 10/1, he brings outstanding recent form into this contest. If he can reproduce that last-start performance, he will be right in the finish.
11. PREMIER PHAROAH (KY) 2g fdllodgef J.Sands (18/1)
Fdllodge20 saddles up Premier Pharoah (American Pharoah) for DUR. Out of a G1-placed, stakes-winning mare over 8.5 furlongs, this colt made a winning start to his career, breaking his maiden at his first attempt over 5 furlongs. He followed up with an allowance victory over 6 furlongs in May, going wire to wire and bravely holding on to score by a neck. Gelded after that success, he stepped up in grade for the G2 Midsoil Stakes, travelling outside America for the first time. He led until the latter stages and, despite being run down late, recorded a career-best SP of 87. At his latest outing in the G3 Baby Tree, his jockey elected to take a sit, and he made up ground in the straight to finish just outside the placings. A more positive ride looks likely this time, and with his natural speed and proven ability to compete at graded level, he shapes as an appealing each-way chance at generous odds.
12. JAMISON CHASER (KY) 2g james44 E.Sharp (17/1)
James34 saddles up Jamison Chaser (Straight No Chaser). By Elusive Hannah, a multiple graded winner who captured the BB F & M Sprint back in 2019, this consistent colt has steadily built a solid résumé of his own. He broke his maiden at his first attempt over 5 furlongs, and his trainer wasted little time stepping him straight into black-type company, where he acquitted himself well with a runner-up finish in the G3 Television Stakes. Rising to 6 furlongs produced another second-place finish in the G3 Manor of Bashford, again at his home track. He then made ground in the straight to finish just outside the placings in the G2 Stanford in New York. Dropped back to allowance company last time out, he made the most of the opportunity, recording his second career victory over 6.5 furlongs and posting a career-best SP of 86. A model of consistency, he deserves respect on his recent form, although the sharper speed of some of his rivals could prove difficult to overcome.
13. IFY MIFY (ARG) 2g egeorge A.Scheper (12/1)
Ads1 brings the Argentinian-bred gelding Ify Mify (Fortify) for EWC. He has enjoyed a busy juvenile campaign, winning half of his 12 starts to date. His first stakes success came in Idaho’s Sugar Burden Dirt Juvenile over 5 furlongs, where he went wire to wire to account for his rivals with ease on an off track. He backed that up three weeks later with another victory, this time over 6 furlongs. He then strung together back-to-back G3 wins, taking the Montana Futurity over 5.5 furlongs on another off track before producing another wire-to-wire performance in the 6-furlong Sleepy Hollow. He was just grabbed late in the G2 Stanford, then remained in New York for the G1 Hopeless Stakes, where a slow start left him with too much to do. He again struggled over 7 furlongs when unable to secure the lead early, finishing midfield. However, he bounced back last time out, charging from the rear over 5.5 furlongs in a stakes race and just failing to get there. The return to 6 furlongs is a definite plus, but the key question is whether he will be sent forward to dictate the pace. His tactics could have a significant bearing on the race, and he is certainly not one to underestimate.
14. EMPTY DA CLIP (KY) 2c icantbreathe F.Gossett (14/1)
Dochman2 sends out Empty Da Clip (Drain The Clock). Out of a stakes-winning mare over 5 furlongs, this promising colt made an immediate impression, kicking off his career with back-to-back victories before finishing third behind Barb Bentley in the Snow Squall Dirt Juvenile over 6 furlongs. He quickly returned to winning ways when dropped back to allowance company, proving too good for his rivals, before narrowly landing the Prince Lucky Dirt Juvenile over 6.5 furlongs last time out. He arrives here off a very short turnaround of just 13 days, suggesting this engagement may have been something of an afterthought. Nevertheless, a record of four wins from five starts is difficult to ignore, and he deserves serious consideration despite the quick backup.
15. FLEETWOOD JONES (BRZ) 2c elitegrs J.Brewer (17/1)
Fleetwood saddles up Fleetwood Jones (Jack Christopher) for Orphan Racing. A late entry and dual acceptor for Fleetwood, he arrives off a short layoff with a respectable record of three wins from six starts. He broke his maiden at his second attempt, coming from midfield to score by three-quarters of a length, before finding the 7-furlong trip a shade too far. Dropping back to 6 furlongs proved a winning move, as he impressed in allowance company before stepping up to stakes level and again showing his finishing strength to overhaul the leaders. He was only fair last time out, maintaining his position throughout to finish third over 6.5 furlongs. The return to 6 furlongs looks ideal, and he has done everything asked of him to date. However, he will need to produce a new career peak to trouble some of the leading contenders in this competitive field.
16. FLEETWOOD SURF (CA) 2c elitegrs R.Waples (18/1)
Fleetwood saddles up Fleetwood Surf (Big Surf) for Orphan Racing, and this honest, consistent colt arrives on the back of an impressive résumé. A dual acceptor for Fleetwood, he is out of a multiple stakes-winning sprint mare and has strung together a remarkable sequence of four consecutive victories, progressing in class with each success. He broke his maiden over 5 furlongs, finishing powerfully to account for his rivals, before producing a similar performance in a California restricted allowance over 5.5 furlongs. His first attempt at stakes level took him away from his home track for the first time, but he handled the occasion with aplomb, getting up in the final stride over the same distance. He then secured his first graded victory in New York’s G2 The Stanford over 6 furlongs, defeating many of his rivals here and recording an SP of 86. Stepping up to 7 furlongs for the first time in the G2 Future Stakes, he made good late ground to finish just outside the placings. The return to 6 furlongs looks ideal, and with his proven finishing strength, expect him to be doing his best work late.
17. BARB BENTLEY (KY) 2c barbsbarn M.Shockey-Lopez (13/1)
Jakematt saddles up Barb Bentley (Into Mischief) for Only Stayers. He broke through at his second start, proving much too good in a Colorado allowance, before stepping into stakes company and finishing runner-up in the Hannah’s Naskra Dirt Juvenile. Coming from well back, he produced a strong late surge to overhaul all bar the winner. After a three-month break, he returned in outstanding fashion, unleashing a withering finish to capture the Snow Squall Dirt Juvenile over this same trip. He posted a career-best SP of 90 last time out, underlining his continued progress and ability to compete at this level. If he can reproduce that performance, he should be right in the thick of things when the whips are cracking.
18. CADBURYCREME LLAMA (KY) 2f Imarisd V.Drosos (16/1)
Lmaris saddles up the scratch-bred and aptly named Cadburycreme Llama (Candy Ride) for Orphan Racing. He showed his natural speed at his first attempt, proving too quick for a field of 16 in an Orphans-restricted race, before maintaining his position throughout to finish third at his second start in allowance company. He bounced back in style next time out, going wire to wire to win easily over 6.5 furlongs while defeating one of his rivals here, Blanket O’Roses. Remaining in Kentucky, he continued his winning ways in the G3 Butterfly Futurity over 6 furlongs, again taking control from the outset. Making his first trip away from his home track in New York’s G2 Iron Deck, he acquitted himself well to finish third, although he tired over the latter stages. The return to 6 furlongs looks ideal, and he is likely to race on or near the lead. If allowed to dictate the tempo without too much pressure, this front-running prospect will be a force to be reckoned with.
19. HOV LANE (VA) 2c factory4sou W.Kewmwa (21/1)
Fastnfirm sends out the Virginia-bred Hov Lane (Cross Traffic). He made an impressive start to his career, going wire to wire to account for his rivals with ease on debut. Thrown straight into graded company, he acquitted himself admirably with a runner-up finish in the G3 Faber College Juvenile over 6 furlongs. He stepped up to G2 level next time out and again showed his quality, coming from midfield to finish stylishly in third. His latest outing in the Future Stakes over 7 furlongs saw him doing his best work late, finishing just outside the placings but beaten only a length by the winner while recording a career-best SP. The longest shot on the board in what looks an open contest, he faces a question over whether dropping back to 6 furlongs will suit. However, he has consistently held his own against graded opposition, and with his recent efforts suggesting he is not far off a breakthrough, he cannot be dismissed at the odds.
20. AUDIBLE TAPIT (KY) 2c dbf4 P.Harzheim (17/1)
Dontbetonme sends out Audible Tapit (Audible) for ERC. Out of a multiple stakes-winning mare who excelled up to 11 furlongs, this colt has made a promising start to his career. He broke his maiden at his first attempt, proving too good over 6 furlongs, before adding an allowance victory to his résumé. He then secured his first stakes success over the sharp 5-furlong trip, taking Idaho’s Towards For Mount Dirt Juvenile with authority. Stepping into graded company for the first time, he acquitted himself well, finishing behind Gustavsson in the G3 Baby Tree over 6 furlongs. Last time out in the Alyoro Dirt Juvenile, he settled further back than expected and was unable to reel in the placegetters over the shorter trip. He has shown enough ability to suggest he can measure up in this company, but he will need to produce a career-best performance to make his presence felt.
Veeman’s Selections
(1ST) 9- Hero of Fifty Six
(2ND) 8- El Negro Marimon
(3RD) 5- Princess Kati
(4TH) 17- Barb Bentley
Probable Speed Map
Front – 2 11 13 18
Mid – 1 3 4 6 7 10 12 14 15 19 20
Back – 5 8 9 16 17