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Slipstream Punches Ticket to BC in Belmont’s Futurity

Jump Sucker Stable's Slipstream backed up a sharp maiden victory earlier in the meet with a score in the GIII Futurity S. Sunday at Belmont, a Win and You're In qualifier for the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Debuting locally over six furlongs on grass, the $170,000 Keeneland September purchase ran an even fifth after hitting the gate at the start, then faced more early trouble in a Saratoga off-the-turfer July 30 before finishing a distant third. Cruising to a 5 1/4-length graduation going seven panels here Sept. 18, the dark bay was made the second choice here and was checked several times in the opening furlong to be relegated to last behind a :22.39 quarter. Advancing while saving ground on the turn, he awaited room in early stretch, squeezed through at the rail at the furlong grounds, tipped into the two path soon after and overhauled pace-dueling longshot Run Curtis Run in deep stretch to prevail. Even-money favorite Chi Town Lady (Verrazano) was a no-factor sixth.

“I'm very happy,” said winning trainer Christophe Clement. “He belongs to Jump Sucker–a partnership that belongs to [NYRA board member] Stephen Duncker and three of his friends. I haven't had a really good horse for them since Governor Malibu a few years ago. I thought he would be a bit closer to the pace, but I train and let Joel [Rosario] ride. He rides better than I do and I train better than he does. He said he got really slammed coming out the gate. Otherwise, I thought he was cruising and going well. I love the way he finished. He was very impressive when he broke his maiden here last time.”

Clement also said that his preference is to run in the one-mile GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf despite now having a fees-paid berth to the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

“If it's up to me, yes. We have to see how he comes out of it and be sure the owners are on board and that everything goes well. I'd like to go [Juvenile Turf Sprint] with Derrynane, who won [the Woodbine Cares] at Woodbine last month. I still don't know if they'll invite her or not. I prefer six [furlongs] going into a race that's a mile at Del Mar on firm than a mile and a sixteenth and drop back to a mile. I always like when you go to California, the idea of pushing that sprinter speed going six or seven furlongs to a mile.”

Pedigree Notes:

With the victory, Slipstream becomes the 211th stakes winner and 96th graded stakes winner for WinStar's 24-year-old stalwart More Than Ready. He is the second foal to race out of his stakes-placed dam, following Too Sexy (Quality Road), who scored in an allowance/optional claimer with a career-high 89 Beyer at Belmont Sept. 25. His second dam was an Illinois-bred stakes winner. Cake Baby, a $110,000 Keeneland November pickup by McKenzie Bloodstock in 2016, produced a colt by Catalina Cruiser this term before being bred to Game Winner.

Sunday, Belmont Park
FUTURITY S.-GIII, $150,000, Belmont, 10-10, 2yo, 6fT, 1:08.36, fm.
1–SLIPSTREAM, 120, c, 2, by More Than Ready
                1st Dam: Cake Baby (SP), by Stormy Atlantic
                2nd Dam: Dharma Girl, by French Deputy
                3rd Dam: Cashelmara, by Key to the Mint
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($170,000
Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Jump Sucker Stable; B-Burleson Farm &
McKenzie Bloodstock (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Joel
Rosario. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $147,600.
Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Run Curtis Run, 122, c, 2, Summer Front–My Magic Moment,
by Forest Wildcat. ($45,000 Ylg '20 EASOCT). O-Michael Dubb
& Michael J. Caruso; B-Larry Goichman (NY); T-Michael J.
Maker. $30,000.
3–Biz Biz Buzz, 120, c, 2, Fed Biz–Our Candy Striper, by Candy
Ride (Arg). O-Live Oak Plantation; B-Live Oak Stud (FL);
T-Michael J. Trombetta. $18,000.
Margins: 1, HF, 3/4. Odds: 2.30, 20.50, 10.50.
Also Ran: Midnight Worker, Poppy Flower, Chi Town Lady, Kavod, Ready to March. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Favored Special Reserve Delivers In Phoenix

Despite not making his stakes debut until his 5-year-old son, Paradise Farms and David Staudacher's Special Reserve has proven he deserves a chance against the world's best sprinters next month at Del Mar. This Friday, the son of Midshipman delivered as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland, earning an expenses-paid berth for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Jockey Joel Rosario never panicked when losing the early lead, and kept Special Reserve driving through the finish line to hold off the late charge of Aloha West by a neck. Special Reserve completed six furlongs over the fast main track in 1:08.54, giving trainer Mike Maker his first victory in the Phoenix.

Special Reserve was very quick out of the gate, leading for the first sixteenth of a mile until Quick Tempo rushed up the inside to take command by a length. Quick Tempo led through fractions of :21.90 and :44.69, with Rosario waiting patiently in second on Special Reserve. Just Might was close up in third, while Mucho stayed near the rail in fourth.

Rounding the turn, Rosario allowed Special Reserve to take over and set him down for the stretch run. Just Might went three wide but failed to sustain his bid. Mucho had to wait for racing room as he moved by the tiring Quick Tempo, while Aloha West began to unleash his rally way out in the center of the course.

Special Reserve was kept to task through the wire, and had just enough left to fend off the challenge from Aloha West, winning by a neck at the wire. Mucho checked in third, while Endorsed closed to fill out the superfecta.

Bred in Kentucky by Russell L. Reineman, Special Reserve is out of the Hard Spun mare Love Spun. He commanded $60,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale, and later brought a final bid of $140,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old sale. Special Reserve began his career in the barn of Randy Mores. He required six starts to break his maiden, and ran in the claiming ranks for a tag as low as $25,000.

Maker claimed Special Reserve for $40,000 in February of this year, and the horse has not finished worse than second since. He was second in the G3 Commonwealth at Keeneland in April, then won the G3 Maryland Sprint at Pimlico in July. Next out Special Reserve won the listed Iowa Sprint Stakes on July 3 at Prairie Meadows, and followed up that effort with a second in the G1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga on July 31, beaten just a half-length by Lexitonian.

Overall, Special Reserve's record stands at eight wins from 22 starts, with earnings of $638,647.

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Weekend Lineup: Keeneland’s Fall Stars Features Nine ‘Win And You’re In’ Races

Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet kicks off with a blockbuster Fall Stars Weekend featuring 10 stakes races, including nine Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races. The weekend stakes action also features six “Win and You're In” races from Belmont Park.

Races in this weekend's rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.

TVG will feature racing from Keeneland, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices. NBC Sports will also provide coverage of this weekend's “Win and Your In” races from Keeneland.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Belmont Park on Friday, Oct. 8 on FS2 from 12:30 – 5:30 pm; on Saturday, Oct. 9 on FS2 from 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm; and on Sunday, Oct. 10 on FS2 from 12:30 – 1 pm., FS1 from 1:00-2:00 pm and on FS2 from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, October 8

5:10 PM ET – $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Special Reserve is the 9-5 morning line favorite in a field of seven sprinters for the six-furlong Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2). The Kentucky-bred son of Midshipman is trained by Mike Maker and has won four of six 2021 starts.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100821USA8-EQB.html

5:45 PM ET – $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Two-year-old fillies are in the spotlight in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades on the opening day of Keeneland's Fall Meet. A field of 12 is entered in the 1 1/16-mile main track Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Maryland-bred Runup is two for two on dirt after finishing third in her Colonial Downs turf debut. The daughter of Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter Runhappy won the one-mile Sorority Stakes last out at Monmouth Park for trainer Laura Wohlers. Kentucky-bred Juju's Map, a daughter of Liam's Map who broke her maiden on September 3 at Ellis Park in her second career start, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100821USA9-EQB.html

Saturday, October 9

2:45 PM ET – $250,000 Vosburgh (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2

Mr. Amore Stable's Firenze Fire will defend his Vosburgh title in Saturday's six furlongs event, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint on November 6 at Del Mar. The Florida-bred son of Poseidon's Warrior is trained by Kelly Breen. Baby Yoda, another Florida-bred, is the morning line favorite after his sharp Saratoga allowance win last out. The 3-year-old Prospective gelding stopped the clock in 1:14.33 for six and a half furlongs to mark his third win in four lifetime starts.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA5-EQB.html

3:15 PM ET – $150,000 Matron Stakes (Gr. 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Trainer Brad Cox sends out Bubble Rock, a daughter of More Than Ready, in the six-furlong Matron over the Belmont inner turf course. The Kentucky-bred filly broke her maiden in her second career start at Saratoga on September 3 and is listed as the morning line favorite. New York-bred Dufresne faces graded stakes company for the first time following a third-place finish in the listed Woodbine Cares Stakes last month for trainer Michael Trombetta.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA6-EQB.html

3:40 PM ET – $200,000 Woodford Stakes (Gr. 2T) at Keeneland on TVG

Eight-year-old Extravagant Kid, an earner of more than $1.6 million, takes on six other turf sprinters in the 5 ½-furlong Woodford Stakes (G2T). The Florida-bred gelded son of Kiss the Kid won the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) over Meydan's turf course in March and followed that with a third in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Ascot. Trainer Brendan Walsh's charge was unplaced last out July 10 in the Darley July Cup (G1) at Newmarket. Fellow Florida-bred Golden Pal, the 3-year-old Uncle Mo son of graded stakes-winning turf sprinter Lady Shipman, is a leading contender and won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) over Keeneland's turf course last November.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=3270

3:47 PM ET – $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Gr. 1T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Otter Bend Stables' Gufo, winner of the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on Travers Day at Saratoga heads the field in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, named after the esteemed writer and columnist for Daily Racing Form. The Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes last October over this course for trainer Christophe Clement. Japan (GB), a 5-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) trained by Aiden O'Brien, finished second by a nose to Gufo in the aforementioned Sword Dancer in his first U.S. start.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL100921USA7-EQB.html

4:12 PM ET – $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Millionaire Bell's the One is a leading contender in the 6-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) that drew a compact six-horse field. Inthemidstofbiz looks to defend her title in the race she won as a 13-1 outsider last year.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA7-EQB.html

4:44 PM ET – $400,000 First Lady (G1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Thirteen fillies and mares are entered in the First Lady, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Godolphin's Althiqa (GB), winner this year of three of four starts, enters the one-mile First Lady off consecutive Grade 1 wins for trainer Charles Appleby. Kentucky-bred Princess Grace has won each of her three 2021 starts, including the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes (G3) most recently on September 11.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA8-EQB.html

5:15 PM ET – $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Thirteen 2-year-olds are scheduled to line up for the 108th running of the 1 1/16-mile Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, a Breeder's Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Stellar Tap, a Kentucky-bred son of Tapit with two lifetime starts, was unplaced in Churchill Downs' Iroquois Stakes (G3) on September 18 after breaking his maiden going seven furlongs at Saratoga. Kevin's Folly, a Kentucky-bred Distorted Humor colt, won on debut at Saratoga and finished third in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) in his second career start on September 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA9-EQB.html

5:46 PM ET – $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Order of Australia (IRE) returns to the course where he was a 73-1 upset winner of last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The Aiden O'Brien-trained 4-year-old colt faces 12 others, including last year's winner Ivar (BRZ), in this Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE100921USA10-EQB.html

Sunday, October 10

4:44 PM ET – $200,000 Indian Summer Stakes (“Breeders' Cup Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Ten two-year-old turf sprinters are entered in the 5 ½ furlong Indian Summer Stakes, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Undefeated Averly Jane, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Midshipman, is one of two fillies in the field. The Wesley Ward trainee broke her maiden in her April debut on Keeneland's main track and has yet to run on the turf. In Saratoga's Skidmore Stakes, a race moved from the turf to dirt, Averly Jane led at every pole on her way to a 7 ¼ length score in her most recent start.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA8-EQB.html

5:15 PM ET – $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (Gr. 1-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

Letruska, winner of four races in a row and six of her last seven, stands out in this 1 1/8 mile main track Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Included in the 5-year-old mare's current winning streak are three Grade 1s. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Super Saver began her career with six consecutive wins in Mexico and now has won 16 of 21 lifetime starts. She is currently rated behind only Knicks Go on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and faces six others in the 66th running of this Grade 1. This is Letruska's first start at Keeneland.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA9-EQB.html

5:46 PM ET – $200,000 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (Gr. 2-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Keeneland on TVG and NBC Sports

A field of 14 is expected to start in the Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2T), a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The 1 1/6 miles turf contest for 2-year-olds attracted 16 entries, including two also-eligibles. Tiz the Bomb, a Kentucky-bred Hit It A Bomb colt trained by Kenny McPeek, is a leading contender after taking the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes last out after breaking his maiden at Ellis Park by 14 ¼ lengths in his second career start. That one-mile dirt race was originally scheduled for the turf.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101021USA10-EQB.html

1:57 PM ET – $150,000 Durham Cup Stakes (Gr. 3) at Woodbine on TVG

A compact field of five is entered in this 1 1/6 miles race over Woodbine's All Weather Track, including 2019 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston. The Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again has earned over $1 million in his 16-race career and most recently won a Woodbine allowance race in his only start this year. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse also entered Tap It to Win, a Florida-bred son of Tapit who exits a win in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101021CAN3-EQB.html

2:43 PM ET – $150,000 Futurity Stakes (Gr. 3T-Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In”) at Belmont Park on FS2

Eight 2-year-old turf sprinters, including two fillies, are entered in this 6-furlong Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifying event for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sends out Midnight Worker for his first turf start. The Kentucky-bred Outwork colt won his debut on the main track in a Saratoga maiden special weight and followed that with a third-place finish in Monmouth's Grade 3 Sapling Stakes, also on dirt. Chi Town Lady is two for two after taking Saratoga's Bolton Landing Stakes last out. The Verrazano filly is trained by Wesley Ward.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA5-EQB.html

3:15 PM ET – $250,000 Beldame Stakes (Gr. 2) at Belmont Park on FS2

Multiple graded stakes winner Horologist takes on seven rivals to defend her title in the 1 1/8 mile Beldame for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The New Jersey-bred daughter of Gemologist has two wins on the year, including an easy 8 ½ length score in Saratoga's Summer Colony Stakes. She won last year's Beldame as the longest shot in a 4-horse field that included this year's distaff sensation, Letruska.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA6-EQB.html

4:21 PM ET – $150,000 Knickerbocker (Gr. 3T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Nine older horses face off in the 1 1/8 mile Knickerbocker over the Belmont inner turf course. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has two entries in En Wye Cee and No Word. The former is a Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War that finished third in last year's Knickerbocker and has had just one start since, a third-place finish in a Saratoga turf allowance optional claiming event over the same distance. No Word, second in last year's Grade 1 Belmont Derby, exits a second place finish in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2) over the Saratoga turf.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101021USA8-EQB.html

5:09 PM ET – $150,000 Ontario Matron Stakes (Gr. 3) at Woodbine on TVG

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has three entered in the six-horse field, including Skygaze, a multiple-graded stakes-placed Kentucky-bred daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. In her most recent start, Skygaze won the Belle Mahone Stakes on Woodbine's All Weather Track for her second win in three 2021 starts. Crystal Glacier, by Curlin, rallied late to finish second to her stablemate in the Belle Mahone and could be the main threat.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101021CAN9-EQB.html

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NBC Sports Plans Three Live Telecasts Of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Races

The “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” comes to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky for a blockbuster weekend of top Thoroughbreds competing for final automatic berths in the Breeders' Cup World Championships with three live telecasts on NBCSN. The action begins on Friday, Oct. 8 (5-6 p.m. ET) featuring the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) and continues, on Saturday, Oct. 9 (5-6 p.m. ET) with the $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) headlined by Order of Australia (IRE), winner of last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Saturday's program will also include the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1). The weekend concludes on Sunday, Oct. 10 (4:30-6 p.m. ET) with the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1), led by the nation's top older female Letruska.

The three programs mark the 10th, 11th, and 12th telecasts this year in the “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America's most iconic racetracks. The television series, which concludes on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Keeneland with the JPMorgan Jessamine Stakes (G2) (NBCSN 4-5 p.m. ET), leads to the 38th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6, which will be shown live on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports' coverage for all three telecasts feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck will be on-site at Keeneland.

A field of 12 has been entered for Friday's 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades, for 2-year-old fillies, with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The Albaugh Family Stables' Juju's Map is the 5-2 morning line favorite off her commanding 5 ½-length maiden victory at Ellis Park on Sept. 3. Trained by Brad Cox, Juju's Map will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post one. Breaking from the outside post 12 is Jim McIngvale's Runup. A daughter of 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Runhappy, the Laura Wohlers-trained Runup won the Sorority Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park on Sept. 6 for her second victory in three starts. Runup will be ridden by Joseph Ramos. Trainer Kenny McPeek has won the Alcibiades five times. On Friday, he sends out Milam Farm's Penny Saver, who broke her maiden by a widening 9 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Sept. 24. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount, breaking from post 10.

A “Win and You're In” berth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) will be awarded to the winner of the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2), which will be run prior to the Darley Alcibiades. Paradise Farm Corp. and David Staudacher's Special Reserve, a winner of four races this year, leads the seven-horse field. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post six by Joel Rosario, Special Reserve finished second in Keeneland's Commonwealth Stakes (G3) in April, then won the Maryland Match Series Sprint Stakes (G3) at Pimlico, and the Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows, prior to finishing second in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga on July 31. Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell's homebred Just Might has won his last four races. Trained by Lovell, Just Might comes into the race off a frontrunning victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18. Just Might will be ridden by Colby Hernandez from post four.

Saturday's card at Keeneland is headlined by the Keeneland Turf Mile, which drew an outstanding field of 13 bidding for an automatic starting position in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Order of Australia returns to Keeneland where last year he came off the also-eligible list to win the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at 70-1. Trained by Aidan O'Brien for owners Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Anne Marie O'Brien, Order of Australia won the Romanised Minstrel Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in Ireland in July, and was second in the prestigious Prix de Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in his most recent start on Sept. 5. John Velazquez has the mount from post 10.

Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I's Ivar (BRZ) is the defending Turf Mile Champion, winning the 2020 race at 14-1. Trained by Pablo Lobo, Ivar finished fourth in last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. In his lone start of 2021, Ivar finished sixth in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1. Joe Talamo has the mount, breaking from post six. Trainer Mike Maker has entered three runners, including Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's Somelikeithotbrown, who won the Dinner Party Stakes (G2) at Pimlico in May and has finished second in his last two starts, the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs and the WinStar Mint Million Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6. Joe Ortiz will ride, breaking from post 13.

Saturday's co-feature is the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, and the winner receives an invitation to the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). Among the 13 entered, Phoenix Thoroughbred's Double Thunder has won three times in four stats for trainer Todd Pletcher, including the Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sept. 5. L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' Stellar Tap broke his maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 7 and gave Steve Asmussen his 9,446th victory, setting the all-time mark for most wins by a trainer. Stellar Tap, ridden from post three by Ricardo Santana Jr., will try to improve upon his fifth-place finish as the even-money favorite in the “Win and You're In”' Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18.

St. George Stable's 5-year-old mare Letruska has had a sensational year, winning five of six races, and is expected to lead Sunday's Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, which is a “Win and You're In” for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska gained a free berth into the Breeders' Cup Distaff when she captured the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June. She also captured two more Breeders' Cup Challenge races, taking the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga. Juddmonte's Bonny South finished just a half-length behind Letruska in the Personal Ensign. The 4-year-old filly won Keeneland's Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in April.

Also on Sunday, the 1 1/16-mile Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) on turf will give the winner an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Among the expected starters is Silverton Hill's Red Danger, who won the Global Tote Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9 for trainer Bryan Lynch, and Phoenix Thoroughbred's Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes on Sept. 6 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

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