Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf 2023 Angles
By Jarrod Horak
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf was first run at Monmouth Park in 2007, and the 2023 renewal will be held at the Great Race Place on Friday, Nov. 3. They will be traveling one mile on the turf course.
Recent BC Juvenile Turf Results
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road (IRE) sat in midpack and nipped post time favorite Silver Knott (GB) by a nose. Ryan Moore rode the winner for Aidan O’Brien and he paid $13.14. Nagirroc landed the show at 39-1 and Mo Stash was fourth at 51-1, and those two runners blew up the superfecta.
Modern Games (IRE) took this event in 2021. He was mistakenly scratched due to a gate snafu and was reinstated by the stewards, but he ran for purse money only. William Buick guided him home for Charles Appleby.
Pilgrim winners Fire At Will (2020) and Structor (2019) both captured the BC Juvenile Turf for the U.S. team.
The Santa Anita Years
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf has been run seven times at Santa Anita. The chart below shows all 7 winners of the BC Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, and it includes winning riders, trainers, post positions, running styles, win payoffs, and final preps.
Jockeys to Watch
Ryan Moore booted home the BC Juvenile Turf winner five times (Wrote, George Vancouver, Hit It a Bomb, Mendelssohn, Victoria Road).
Frankie Dettori pulled off the hat trick in this race, and William Buick and Jose Ortiz both won this event twice.
Trainers to Watch
Aidan O’Brien has won this race five times and Ryan Moore was aboard each of those winners.
Charles Appleby struck in 2013, 2018, and 2021 (Outstrip, Line of Duty, Modern Games), and William Buick rode the latter pair.
John Gosden saddled the winner of this race in 2008 and 2009 at Santa Anita, and Frankie Dettori rode both.
Europe vs. USA
Overseas runners have won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf 11 times in 16 years. 2014 winner Hootenanny started his career in this country, but his final two preps before the Juvenile Turf were at Ascot and Deauville, so I am counting him as an overseas winner.
The Pilgrim Stakes in New York is a key race for the U.S. runners. Fire At Will, Structor, Oscar Performance each pulled off the Pilgrim/BC Juvenile Turf double.
Check out these other Breeders’ Cup 2023 articles:
Breeders’ Cup 2023: 5 Horses to Bet
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint 2023 Angles