Stellar Field Set for TVG Juvenile

One of the most popular races of the Breeders’ Cup, the TVG Juvenile provides a look into what the future might hold while also helping crown a 2-year-old champion. A total of nine males will run in this year’s edition that will be the ninth race on Friday, November 1, at Santa Anita Park. The event will be contested at 1 1/16 miles for a purse of $2,000,000.

Here is a look at the full field:

#1 Dennis’ Moment – This horse could be a monster. He had the horse racing world buzzing after breaking his maiden at Ellis Park by an eye-popping 19 1/4 lengths, which led him to make his next start in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. After stalking the early pace up the backside, he put away his rivals with ease, cruising to a 1 3/4-length victory. Trainer Dale Romans seems to have an extremely talented colt on his hands.

#2 Wrecking Crew – The Peter Miller-trained colt has been no worse than second in three starts, all of which came at Del Mar. He started off the summer meet by winning a maiden special weight, then put forth back-to-back second-place efforts in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) and the Del Mar Futurity (G1). This will be his first start around two turns, with his longest prior race coming at 7 furlongs.

#3 Shoplifted – After breaking his maiden at Saratoga on debut, he went straight to the Hopeful Stakes (G1) for his next starts, finishing second to stablemate Basin. Last time out trainer Steve Asmussen opted to send the horse to Santa Anita Park to get a start over the track in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1). That race did not go well as he finished fifth; however, he did get an important race of a track that has been playing tough for shippers.

#4 Storm the Court – This California-based colt was an impressive debut winner at Del Mar in a maiden special weight, which led to a start in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) next time out. However, that start did not go well, as he threw the rider early in the race after getting bumped by the already rider-less Eight Rings. Much like Eight Rings, he rebounded well in his next start, finishing a solid third in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. 

#5 Scabbard – This horse has been knocking on the door in big-time races lately, having finished second in both the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and the Iroquois Stakes (G3). In both races, he was making up ground in the stretch, which could be a sign that he will enjoy when the distances get longer. He was making up ground on Dennis’ Moment late in the Iroquois, losing by just 1 3/4 lengths after trailing by 5 when turning for home.

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#6 Eight Rings – Top California trainer Bob Baffert has won this race several times in the past, including last season with Game Winner. This year, he brings the highly-touted Eight Rings into the event after winning the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) last time out over this track. The lightly-raced colt has won two of his three starts, including the most impressive maiden special weight win at Del Mar this summer. However, things did not go smoothly for him in the Del Mar Futurity, when he dumped the rider shortly after breaking from the gate. The fact that he recovered so nicely from that debacle was impressive, and he seemed to handle his first start around two turns well.

#7 Anneau d’Or – After a dominating debut over the grass at Golden Gate, his connections decided to give dirt a try. He was ultra-impressive in that effort, and his pedigree (by Medagla d’Oro, out of a Tapit mare) could work in his favor despite changing surfaces. The jump in class is his biggest question mark.

#8 Full Flat – This Japanese runner will run on the dirt for the first time after three starts on turf. Two races back, he broke his maiden going 6 furlongs, then finished fifth in a $280,000 stakes event at Kyoto. The son of Speightstown was bred in Kentucky, though, and should be able to handle the surface switch.

#9 Maxfield – He took home the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland by 5 3/4 lengths in his last start, which was one of the more impressive wins by a 2-year-old this season. That came against a talented field, too, which just adds to the impressiveness of his victory. The Street Sense colt seems to be built for longer distances, having won a mile-long maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on debut before his Breeders’ Futurity romp.

The TVG Juvenile always is one of the most talked-about results of the Breeders’ Cup. The winner of this race will likely be the 2-Year-Old Male of the Year and one of the favorites for the 2020 Kentucky Derby next May at Churchill Downs. With this becoming the highlight race on the Friday card, even more attention and hype has surrounded this great event.