The Breeders’ Cup Friday card highlights the up-and-coming stars in our sport, running all five 2-year-old races on an extremely exciting day that produces solid betting sequences.
It’s more important than ever to know and study these divisions, so here are five must-see juveniles you need to now about heading into this year’s World Championships at Del Mar:
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1. Corniche
The Bob Baffert trainee dazzled in his debut at Del Mar and had everyone wondering if this could be his next superstar. Since the victory, he’s put in several solid workouts at Santa Anita, which should be leading him up to a start in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) next. If he romps there, then he’s the likely Juvenile (G1) favorite and perhaps one of the shortest prices on the Friday card.
2. Annapolis
This Todd Pletcher trainee absolutely crushed his rivals on debut at Saratoga, winning a maiden special weight on turf by 4 1/2 lengths. Even though he has just 1 start under his belt, it was the best effort we’ve seen from a turf runner this year, and there’s no doubt we’ll see him next in a stakes race. If he continues to progress, then he’ll be our best hope to beat the Europeans in the Juvenile Turf (G1).
3. Echo Zulo
She exits Saratoga a perfect 2 for 2 while never really being challenged. After breaking her maiden with ease on the opening day of the meet, she came back to dominate the Spinaway Stakes (G1) in her next start and became the top filly in this crop. The big question mark now will be how she looks when stretching out in distance for the Juvenile Fillies (G1); however, her breeding suggests that she could handle it.
4. Gunite
It took him 3 races to break his maiden, which he finally did at Churchill Downs before running second in the Saratoga Special (G2) 2 starts back. Last time out, he picked up his second win, dominating rivals in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. He seems to also be getting better when going longer, which bodes well for him in the Juvenile (G1).
5. Wit
Can this horse learn to get out of the gate? Does it matter as much when the distances get longer? Wit seemingly has all the talent in the world, but he struggled to get out of the gate in all 3 starts, which finally cost him last time out when running second in the Hopeful Stakes (G1). Many still believe that he could be the best horse in the crop, though, and if he can learn to start better, then they might be correct. He remains a very interesting horse in the Juvenile (G1) despite his recent loss.
