Breeder's Cup Preview: Turf and Juvenile (male) races

I had plans to do this on Friday, however due to some issues beyond my control I couldn't. So in lieu of a Weekend Recap, I will be previewing the three races today. Tomorrow it will be the Classic and on Tuesday I will go start making my predictions for the Breeder's Cup as that is when the post positions will be coming out.

Juvenile Turf
Not much to say here, because it will ruled by the Euros more then likely. The Americans however, will be lead by Interactif who I personally think is sitting on a big race. He won at Keenland last time out, and could spoil the Euro party. Also keep an eye on him on next year's Derby trail, even though he's a turf horse. Why? He's by Broken Vow who is very underrated IMO out of Broad Pennant, a Broad Brush mare. However, it's his great grandmother that is very interesting and that's because Broad Pennant's granddam is the one and only Personal Ensign. As for the Euros, US bound Radiohead (bought by IEAH), Buzzword and Alfred Noble lead the charge.

Juvenile
Three words: Lookin at Lucky, this son of Smart Strike is the very early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Some say that D'Funnybone could be better then him and with bombing of Dublin not only in the Chamagne, but today's Irqouis the favoritism for the First Saturday in May is up for grabs. I don't know if next year's Derby winner will come out of this year's Juvi, however the race is on a roll. Two of the last three Derby winners have come out of this race. Ironically both where ridden by Calvin Borel in the Derby, but in the Juvi two different riders. Street Sense and Calvin teamed up in the 06 Juvi win (07 Derby win), and Mine That Bird with Chantal Sutherland finished last in last year's Juvi (09 Derby win). There maybe 1 or 2 Euros who may go here instead, but there really isn't much reason why to unless the Owners have KY Derby fever and not Epsom Derby fever. This is my opinon of course and things can change.

Turf
This is always a strong event with Arc winners running, and popular winners like Better Talk Now and English Channel in more recent years. Unfortanlly this could be the worst race both days, with a low amount of pre-entries. The favorite for the race, Spanish Moon, is not even allowed to race in England because of his antics about being loaded in the gate. The second choice more then likely will be last year's Champ Conduit, and the third choice would be Dar Re Mi (who have talked about before). America's best hope? Presious Passion, a NJ based gelding who won the prep for the BC over the SA course. That's right I said he's based in New Jersey, and he broke English Channel's course record this year too. He'll be the pacemaker in the race and if he gets to a wide open lead with no pressure, he could be hard to catch. So where are horses like Gio Ponti, Rip Van Winkle and Mastercraftsman? Will the first two are Classic bound while the latter is going to the Dirt Mile.

Tomorrow I will talk about Gio, Rip and the rest of the Classic hopefuls with the final installment of the BC Preview: the Classic. Stay tuned!