9.25 Santa Anita
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner $572,101 - 13 run
Advice: 1 pt win Giovanni Boldini (4/1 888 Sport, 7/2 general),
1 pt each/way Wilshere Boulevard (9/1 Paddy Power, Bet Victor 8/1 general)
All Cash: Was roasted by home favourite Bobby’s Kitten on
second start and since most disappointing beaten fifth as favourite; Grade
three fourth latest was better effort but inability to settle worrying in
regard to this and home team has better shots. 
Giovanni Boldini: Clearly very well regarded and made strong
impression when winning small race at Dundalk on debut in style; Little
disappointing when asked for his effort (third) in the National Stakes although
pair of Group 1 winners infront of him that day and made amends in fine style
when warming up for this with easy listed win; Should go well if breaking
cleanly from stall 2 and high on the list; Ballydoyle won this twice in
succession and have excellent record in general. 
Got Shades: Two convincing wins at Lousiana after his debut
were very taking but upped in class here and could do no better than third
(albeit giving away 3lbs) in Zuma Beach Stakes over C&D behind Aoteraroa
latest; Should do better in time.
Outstrip: Taking debut when he overcame greenness to win and
made Toormoore work harder than any horse so far when second at Goodwood,
before following that up with a deeply impressive Champagne Stakes win; All
that form the strongest in the race but strangely flat and laboured in the
Dewhurst after which his trainer seemed to suggest that he’d be put away for
season; First rate chance if at his best. 
Bobby’s Kitten: Unlucky on debut when slow break cost him
the win but no such worries when landing maiden special weight in style and
best performance of any turf juvenile in the US when destroying opposition in
the Pilgrim Stakes, having 6 &1/2 lengths to spare at the end; That makes him the best of the home team and a danger to all here. 
Home School: Former Jim Bolger winner at Roscommon who was
well beaten by Wilshire Boulevard before close group three second; Behind Got
Shades and Aotearoa in Zuma Beach Stakes latest after finishing only third on
debut and can look elsewhere. 
Aotearoa: Disappointment in the I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar
after deeply impressive debut there but a month later, had enough to win the
Zuma Beach from two reposing rivals, for all that he was receiving handy weight
from others that day and steps up majorly in class here; Others make more
appeal. 
Bon Accord: Never really getting there when a 34/1 third
behind Poker Player in the Borubon Staks on Keenland’s polytrack following his
surprise win at Calder; This has the feel of something an awful lot stronger
and easy to look elsewhere. 
Wilshere Boulevard: Has really improved hand over first
since midfield effort at Royal Ascot, landing Curragh Group 3 (runner up and
stablemate since boosted form) before unlucky second in Gimcrack (winner went
onto win Middle Park Stakes); Only fourth in Prix Jean Luc but that turned into
quite the sprint and rolling mile here on fast ground should be no bother; Can go
well. 
Ontology; Not been upto it when taking on the better horses,
second in repit of generous weight in Hollywood Juvenile Championship and well
beaten second behind Zuma Beach Stakes runner up Diamond Beach in Oak Tree
Stakes here; Others make more appeal. 
Poker Player: Beat Bashart and Bon According in Grade 1
latest wwith come from behind run and lot to like about way that he did it;
4lbs worse off with that one and will need to repeat same tactics today from
stall 11; Should still be respected. 
Shamshon: Lots to like about the way that he dismissed three
runners on Sandown debut and cosy enough winner of Deauville listed event;
Didn’t like the ground when disappointing in Mill Reef but while he can do
better in time, new trip (especially from the second widest draw) potentially big
challenge for him. 
Bashart: Put his name high on list of homegrown contenders
for this when a game winner of With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga and did
well given how he took keen hold in transferred Bourbon Stakes at Kentucky when
giving 4lbs to runner up; Can be
VERDICT: A very strong renewal. Four of the 6 renewals have
gone to European raiders but the home team’s Bashar and Bobby’s Kitten are both
worthy of respect and will launch a stern defence. However this is a particularly
strong foreign challenge and all of Outstrip, GIOVANNI BOLDINI, & WIlSHERE
BOULEVARD, who all have realistic chances on the best of their form and could
all relish Santa Anita’s tight mile. Outstrip has the best form of the three on
a line through Toormoore but has questions to answer after a flat Dewhurst
showing after which Charlie Appleby suggested he’d be put away for the winter.
Giovanni Boldini was pitched into the National Stakes just a week after his
maiden win and may have run below his best there before an impressive warm up
win, while Wilshere Boulevard’s form is rock solid and a mile on this ground
could bring out more improvement.
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