Four Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races for juveniles highlight an outstanding Saturday of horse racing action.
Woodbine hosts the $200,00 Natalma (G2) for two-year-old fillies on turf and the $200,000 Summer (G2) for juveniles while the feature races at Churchill Downs are the $200,000 Pocahontas (G2) for juvenile fillies and the $150,000 Iroquois (G3) for two-year-old colts and geldings.
Each race earns the winner a fee-expenses paid trip to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 30-31, now just 48 days away.
There are still 35 Breeders’ Cup Challenge races left to be decided between now and Oct. 8 for the two-day year-end championship event.
Here is a quick look at my selections for today’s “Win and You’re In” action:
WO Race 7 The Natalma G2 (4:02 ET)
Caren tries turf for the first time here and is undefeated in three trips on poly in her career. She won the restricted Nadi last out in gate to wire fashion going six furlongs. She has one sib that has won on grass. She had a good morning drill on turf on Sept. 6.
WO Race 9 The Summer G2 (5:08 ET)
Hammers Vision returns to turf after a decent effort in a third place finish in the Saratoga Special (G2). The colt stalked the early pace, had to wait for some room off the heels of a foe beating the 3/8’s and finished evenly. He was a good looking maiden winner at the Spa on turf in his debut. He comes back with lasix added and the extra ground here should suit. He is by multiple Grade 1 turf winner Court Vision out of a Forestry mare.
CD Race 8 The Pocahontas G2 (4:18 ET)
Decked Out was no match for Just Wicked last out when checking in fourth in the Adirondack (G2) at the Spa, beaten 9 1/4 lengths. Now the two will both go two turns for the first time here and we are going to get a much better price on our top pick. She has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground. She is by Street Boss out of the stakes winner Once Around ($83,845) who has dropped three other winners including stakes winner Morrow Cove ($182,610).
CD Race 9 The Iroquois G3 (4:49 ET)
Condominium is 0 for 2 in his career and comes in here as a maiden, but so does four others in here. The colt was not a threat in his debut against a good group at the Spa, checking in eighth after pressing the early pace. The runner up broke his maiden in his next start while the winner Saratoga Mischief ran a game second in the Saratoga Special (G2). This guy was an $800,000 purchase and can handle two turns at least pedigree wise. He is by Tiznow out of the stakes winner Garden District ($149,807).
Belmont Park Fall Championship Meet Special:
Michael Dempsey’s full card reports for the entire Belmont Park Fall Championship meeting from September 11 until Nov 1! SPECIAL BONUS: Includes the two-day Breeders’ Cup Report!