Breeders Cup 2012 - Juvenile

9.36 Santa Anita

Grey Goose Breeders´ Cup Juvenile (Grade 1) (2yo Colts & Geldings) (Dirt) (2yo) Winner £696,774

Advice: 1 pt win Title Contender w/o Shanghai Bobby and Power Broker (11/4 Hills)

Title Contender: Get the feeling that he didn’t enjoy Polytrack when third on Del Mar debut but different story (much like stablemate Power Broker) when getting onto dirt (also had first time blinkers) when bossing maiden field here easily, posting a 90 Beyer and beating next time out winning stablemate with ease; This is a much harder task but Baffert sending him here is a big sign and every sign of more to come; Big threat.

Speak Logistics: Another for whom blinkers have had a very desirable effect, with two front running wins at Monmouth and in Calder Championship event; Fifth and tenth since come out of that and won but this nothing like as easy.

He’s Had Enough: Won his maiden but unplaced in two graded stakes since, and while he didn’t have any pace to run at latest, still feel this will be too much for runner making Turf debut.

Shanghai Bobby: Champion east coast Juvenile, having won all four of his starts in easy and impressive style (easy maiden winner Fortify behind on both occasions); Should take the beating here, with two possible negatives being that he’s off Lasix for first time and early pace here will be much harder than he’s ever faced before; Still, abundance of class and has to be respected.

Monument: Three from four, but his wins have come in maiden claiming, claiming and California bred stakes race; Not good enough on those form.

Dynamic Sky: Incredible to think that just an ungainly head carriage cost him victory in the Dixiana Futurity considering that he was forced 5 wide around the turn and bumped four times; Could have even more pace to chase today and extremely interesting, for all that this is dirt debut; Needs pace burnout.

Capo Bastone: Stumbled at the start when third behind Power Broken but he was so easily beaten that it’s impossible to see that form being turned around.

Fortify: Well behind Shangai Bobby in the Hopeful and Champagne Stakes the last twice but not suited by the test of speed those races became, and we know he can give his running off Lasix too; Hard early pace may bring him closer to Shangai Bobby so has to be considered.

Power Broker: Didn’t enjoy Polytrack runs at Del Mar or when being taken on for the lead in Oak Tree Juvenile Turf Stakes; Switch to dirt and stalking antics resulted in 6 and half length win in the Frontrunner Stakes latest, and serious contender with home course advantage to help along with obvious talent.

VERDICT: A solid renewal. Shangai Bobby is a worthy favourite and will be tough to beat, for all that a harder early pace will test his staying power, and bring Fortify (who’s been off Lasix) closer to him than before. Bob Baffert, who has two wins and two places from his 9 runners, also brings a strong hand, with the fact he’s sent TITLE CONTENDER here while having wide margin Grade 1 winner Power Broker here a tip in itself, along with his obvious ability. Back the supposed second string in a marker without the top two at 11/4 with Hills.