WHAT’S ON TRACK: Big Money, Breeders’ Cup Berths Up for Grabs Over Busy Stakes Weekend On Ice There are strong first impressions, then there’s winning by 17 ¾ lengths in your professional debut, which is exactly what It’s Our Time did in a 6 ½-furlong test at Saratoga on Aug. 16. The Not This Time colt will now head about 320 kilometres south to Aqueduct, where he will line up against eight hopefuls in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) with a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar up for grabs. While the sample size is small, it is undoubtedly impressive for the Tom Amoss trainee who showed an incredible burst despite 5-1 post-time odds. Overlooked no more as the 1-mile Champagne’s even-money morning line choice, It’s Our Time slots into post six with rider Luis Saez aboard. Aqueduct’s sizzling Saturday also features the Frizette (G1), Miss Grillo (G2T) which awards the victor a place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), and Jockey Club Derby Invitational (G2T). Anybody’s Game Group 1 winner Diego Velazquez (IRE) paces a wide-open group of 12 gunning for the top prize in Saturday’s $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1T) and a place in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar. Fresh off an impressive triumph in the Prix Jacques Le Marois (Gr. 1), the 4-year-old Aidan O’Brien charge finds himself on North American soil for the first time after 11 starts around the United Kingdom. The narrow 7-2 morning line favourite is followed closely by three-time Grade 1 winner (Saratoga Derby Invitational, Hollywood Derby, Turf Classic) and fellow million-dollar earner Program Trading (GB), at 9-2, and Prix Jean Prat (Gr. 1) champion Woodshauna (FR), at 5-1. Keeneland’s loaded Saturday card includes two more Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In events in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Thoroughbred Club of America(G2). Lasting Legacies Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s fingerprints have been all over the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes – the Grade 1 contest named for the 2015 Triple Crown winner he trained – having won it four straight years. On Saturday at Santa Anita, Baffert will send out four, including 3-2 morning line favourite Desert Gate, in search of his fifth straight title. Entering off a runner-up outing in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Desert Gate, bred by Twin Oaks Bloodstock, performed admirably despite the defeat, finishing a length behind fellow Baffert trainee and budding superstar, Brant. The Baffert-led contingent also includes maiden winner Kristofferson (9-5), Balboa (8-1), and Plutarch (10-1). The 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah grants an automatic berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). It also awards Kentucky Derby (G1) points to the top five finishers (10-5-3-2-1) as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Your Throne Awaits Four-time Grade/Group 1 winner Nations Pride (IRE) will make his long-awaited return to Woodbine this Saturday to defend his $750,000 Canadian International (G1T) crown. Last at the Toronto, Ontario oval in 2023, the $3.8 million earner rebounded from a slow start to take the 1 ¼-mile affair (now 1 ½-miles) by 2 ¼ lengths for owner/breeder Godolphin, LLC. Nations Pride has since competed all over North America, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, collecting impressive tallies in the Grade 1 Arlington Million (Colonial Downs) and Group 2 Singspiel Stakes (Meydan Racecourse). After a third last time out in the Sword Dancer (G1T) at Saratoga on Aug. 9, the 6-year-old son of Teofilo (IRE)–Important Time (IRE) enters the International as the even-money choice. Nations Pride (IRE) winning the 2023 Canadian International at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) On the Rise, At the Top J. Stable’s five-time graded stakes champion 3-year-old Nitrogen (5-2) is prepared to make her first start against older horses in Sunday’s 70th running of the $650,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) for fillies and mares. Among those awaiting the Sovereign Award-winning sophomore is 2024 Horse of the Year and seven-time Grade 1 victor, Thorpedo Anna (8-5). The heavyweight tilt between proven superstars will run 1 1/8 miles over the dirt at Keeneland – a memorable site for both Thorpedo Anna (maiden victory) and Nitrogen, who won April’s Appalachian (G2) by 2 ¼ lengths. Bragging rights and a trip to Del Mar for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) are both on the line in the five-horse dash that also features Scylla (4-1), Gin Gin (6-1), and Chilled (30-1). Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
