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BREEDERS' CUP PREVIEWS
A full field of 12 will face the starter in the $1 million Juvenile Turf (G2), and the post draw wasn't kind to morning-line favorite INTERACTIF (Broken Vow), who is stuck in the 10-hole. POUNCED (Rahy) is more favorably drawn in post 4, and we'll go with the John Gosden-trained colt. After breaking his maiden in his second start, the chestnut recorded an excellent second in the Grand Criterium (Fr-G1) last out, and he ranks second by BRIS Class based upon that effort. Don't be surprised to see him improve off that performance for Gosden, who saddled last year's inaugural Juvenile Turf hero Donativum (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux), and Pounced's running lines indicate that he owns some tactical speed. We'll look for him to race within striking position under Frankie Dettori before rallying. VISCOUNT NELSON (Giant's Causeway) is a well-bred colt from Aidan O'Brien's shedrow who could make his presence felt. Out of a Group 1 winner and a half-brother to Group 1 victor Horatio Nelson (Danehill), the dark bay posted a solid score in the Hurricane Run S. prior to his close second in the Champagne S. (Eng-G2) last time. That looks like a very encouraging effort from the well-meant colt, and we give him a chance to keep improving with a victory here from post 2. Johnny Murtagh will retain the mount. Interactif made a smashing turf debut in the With Anticipation (G3) two starts back, drawing clear to a 4 1/4-length decision at Saratoga, and followed it with a professional one-length score over soggy conditions in the Bourbon S. (G3) at Keeneland last time. The Todd Pletcher colt is obviously a talented turf runner with a bright future, and we won't be surprised to see him make it three straight with jockey Kent Desormeaux. However, the stalker may have to change tactics due to his poor post, and that could be enough to leave him vulnerable against the European invaders. Group 3 winner BUZZWORD (GB) (Pivotal) finished a commendable third behind our top choice in the Criterium and didn't run poorly when fifth in the Dewhurst (Eng-G1) most recently. The Godolphin colt figures to appreciate the added ground and looked like a dangerous sleeper to us before drawing post 11, and we won't count him out of exotics consideration even with the terrible starting position. If he drifts up from his 6-1 morning line, we may even make a small saver on him. BRIDGETOWN (Speightstown) convincingly broke his maiden at Saratoga two back and shipped to Woodbine for a facile 1 1/2-length score in the Summer (Can-G3) last time. We can't knock what he's done so far, but the competition will get much stiffer for the Kenny McPeek trainee. He shows a couple of drills at Santa Anita and is equipped with a good draw, so we could easily see using him in the exotics. Summer runner-up BECKY'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) is another one to consider for part. He's displayed a strong finishing kick since switching to turf two starts back for Wesley Ward, and 8 1/2 furlongs will be no problem for the improving dark bay. However, the Kentucky-bred is saddled with a less-than-favorable starting position (post 9). AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) is trained by the dangerous Jeremy Noseda, who saddled Wilko to a major upset in the 2004 Juvenile (G1), but the colt was no factor in the Dewhurst last time and doesn't look as good as some of his fellow Europeans. DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) defeated a questionable group at Belmont last out, winning the Vision S. over soft turf, and owns low BRIS numbers. He's also stuck in the far outside post. CODOY (Bernstein) closed a lot of ground late in the Bourbon, but we question whether he can be effective here over firm turf. KING LEDLEY (Stormin Fever) has already raced eight times overseas without much success, and we don't like him stretching out to two turns. GALLANT GENT (Yankee Gentleman) captured a listed stakes at Fairplex two starts back and looks up against it in his turf bow. ZIP QUIK (City Zip) exits a dull showing in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and looks overmatched in his turf debut. SUMMER MOVIE (Holy Bull) will need to draw in from the also-eligibles list, and we can't recommend his chances from the far outside. KERA'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) was withdrawn by his connections so that Dean's Kitten could draw into the field.
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