Trainer Kenny McPeek indicated Sunday morning that Lucky Seven Stable's Rattle N Roll, winner of Saturday's Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, might bypass the $2 million Grade 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Nov. 5 in favor of a race at his Churchill Downs base. The son of Connect earned a fees-paid entry and travel expenses to the Juvenile at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., with yesterday's victory at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.
“I am not going to commit yet,” McPeek said. “My first instinct is to wait for the (Grade 2) Kentucky Jockey Club 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 on June 26 at Churchill and returned in September to win a 1 1/16th-mile maiden race. He was a clear winner at the same distance in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity.
“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 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 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 (G1) 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 barbeque and bonfire at his Magdalena Farm in Lexington. About 100 people attended to celebrate the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity triumph, the 21st birthday of McPeek's daughter, Jenna, and the University of Kentucky football team's win over Louisiana State University.
“We had birthday cake, and Jenna had champagne,” he said.
Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Double Thunder came out of his runner-up effort in the Claiborne 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 ship back to Belmont and “we will keep our options open.”
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