With less than five weeks to go before the Breeders' Cup Championships, this weekend is busiest of the North American season for the "win and you're in" races.
Eleven qualifiers are on the calendar, mostly at Keeneland but with a pair at Belmont.
Here is an early look at the fields.
Friday
Alcibiades (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-old fillies
Diamond Wow is 2-for-2, with a win in the black-type Our Dear Peggy Stakes at Gulfstream last out. Matareya graduated on debut at Ellis Park on Aug. 20. Runup is 2-for-3 after her win in the black-type Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park. This race is a win-and-you’re in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, and it offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points for the 2022 Kentucky Oaks.
2021 Alcibiades (G1)
Phoenix (G2), Keeneland, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up
Baby Yoda got attention after earning the highest Beyer Speed Figure of the year: 114, a figure matched only by Flightline. He also is listed as possible for the Vosburgh on Sunday at Belmont. The top three finishers in the black-type Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes – won by Just Might – could meet again here. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
2021 Phoenix (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Tempo Tapizar | C. Davis |
| Possible | ||||
| Special Reserve Midshipman | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Mucho Blame | J. Ortiz |
| Probable | ||||
| Endorsed Medaglia d'Oro | M. Maker |
| Possible | ||||
| Just Might Justin Phillip | M. Lovell |
| Probable | ||||
| Bango Congrats | G. Foley |
| Possible | ||||
| Baby Yoda Prospective | W. Mott |
| Possible | ||||
| Aloha West Hard Spun | W. Catalano |
| Probable |
Saturday
Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds
Double Thunder is 3-for-4 after winning the black-type Sapling Stakes at Monmouth. His only loss was a fourth-place finish in the Saratoga Special (G2). Classic Causeway won his debut by 6 1/2 lengths last out at Saratoga. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and it offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points for the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
2021 Breeders' Futurity (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Thunder Super Saver | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Rattle N Roll Connect | K. McPeek |
| Probable | ||||
| Kevin's Folly Distorted Humor | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Classic Causeway Giant's Causeway | B. Lynch |
| Probable | ||||
| King Curlin Curlin | B. Berg |
| Probable |
Keeneland Turf Mile (G1), Keeneland, 1 mile (turf) 3-year-olds and up
Order of Australia has raced once in the U.S., winning the 2020 Breeders' Cup Mile by a neck at Keeneland. He finished second last out in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1). In Love has won two straight, including the listed TVG Stakes at Kentucky Downs last out. Tell Your Daddy's win last out in the Bernard Baruch (G2) was his first graded-stakes victory and his firs score since February 2020. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
2021 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivar Agnes Gold | P. Lobo |
| Probable | ||||
| In Love Agnes Gold | P. Lobo |
| Probable | ||||
| Somelikeithotbrown Big Brown | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Front Run the Fed Fed Biz | C. Caramori |
| Probable | ||||
| Diamond Oops Lookin At Lucky | P. Biancone |
| Probable | ||||
| Field Pass Lemon Drop Kid | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Order Of Australia Australia | A. O'Brien |
| Probable | ||||
| Tell Your Daddy Scat Daddy | T. Morley |
| Probable | ||||
| Lope Y Fernandez Lope de Vega | A. O'Brien |
| Probable | ||||
| Monarchs Glen Frankel | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Space Traveller Bated Breath | B. Walsh |
| Probable |
First Lady (G1), Keeneland, 1 mile (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Althiqa, after finishing in the money in all nine overseas starts, came to the U.S. and won two Grade 1 stakes: the Just A Game and the Diana. In her second start off the bench, Viadera won the Ballston Spa (G1) by a nose. Blowout's fourth-place finish in the Fourstardave (G1) was her first start since winning the Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
2021 First Lady Stakes (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viadera Bated Breath | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Blowout Dansili | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Regal Glory Animal Kingdom | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Harvey's Lil Goil American Pharoah | W. Mott |
| Probable | ||||
| Daddy Is a Legend Scat Daddy | G. Weaver |
| Probable | ||||
| Althiqa Dark Angel | C. Appleby |
| Probable | ||||
| Abscond Blame | E. Kenneally |
| Probable | ||||
| Dalika Pastorius | A. Stall, Jr. |
| Probable | ||||
| Hendy Woods Uncle Mo | M. Casse |
| Probable | ||||
| Empress Josephine Galileo | A. O'Brien |
| Probable |
Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), Keeneland, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Only two probables as of Sunday for this sprint. Estilo Talentoso's fifth place finish in the Ballerina (G1) was her first out-of-the-money finish in 16 lifetime starts. Club Car has a 6: 2-2-2 record this year but has never won a graded stakes. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
2021 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estilo Talentoso Maclean's Music | J. Arriagada |
| Probable | ||||
| Club Car Malibu Moon | B. Colebrook |
| Probable |
Woodford (G2), Keeneland, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf), 3-year-olds and up
Only two probables so far here as well. Golden Pal, winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, won the Quick Call (G3) at Saratoga before shipping to England and finishing seventh in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1). After winning only once in nine starts in England, Inhalation finished eighth in his first U.S. start, an allowance race at Keeneland. He has won two starts since, both allowance races at Colonial Park.
2021 Woodford (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Pal Uncle Mo | W. Ward |
| Probable | ||||
| Inhalation Bated Breath | E. Vaughan | Probable |
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), Belmont, 1 1/2 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up
The 1-2-3 finishers in the Sword Dancer (G1) are expected to meet again here. Gufo finished a neck ahead of Japan, with Cross Border 3 1/2 lengths back. Arklow also lost by a neck in his last start, beaten by Imperador in the Calumet Turf Cup.
2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Maker English Channel | W. Mott |
| Probable | ||||
| Japan Galileo | A. O'Brien |
| Probable | ||||
| Gufo Declaration of War | C. Clement |
| Probable | ||||
| Arklow Arch | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Channel Cat English Channel | J. Sisterson |
| Possible | ||||
| Cross Border English Channel | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Tribhuvan Toronado | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| En Wye Cee Declaration of War | T. Pletcher |
| Possible | ||||
| No Word Silent Name | T. Pletcher |
| Possible |
Vosburgh (G2), Belmont, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up
Firenze Fire is 5: 2-2-0 this year and lost by a head to Yaupon last out in the Forego. Jalen Journey has won three of his last four, including a win by DQ last out in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial. Unraced at 2, Following Sea has a 5: 2-1-2 record this year but has yet to win a graded stakes. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
2021 Vosburgh (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firenze Fire Poseidon's Warrior | K. Breen |
| Probable | ||||
| Endorsed Medaglia d'Oro | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Baby Yoda Prospective | W. Mott |
| Possible | ||||
| Jalen Journey With Distinction | S. Asmussen |
| Probable | ||||
| Following Sea Runhappy | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Rough Entry Poseidon's Warrior | R. Crichton |
| Possible | ||||
| Good Effort Shamardal | I. Mohammed |
| Probable |
Matron (G3), Belmont, 6 furlongs (turf), 2-year-old fillies
After winning her debut at Monmouth Park, Mainstay finished second in the Schuylerville (G3) and fourth in the Adirondack (G2) at Saratoga. Makin My Move is coming off a 12 1/2-length debut victory in a maiden race at Saratoga.
2021 Matron (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Astern | R. Reid |
| Probable | ||||
| Bubble Rock More Than Ready | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| The Club Union Rags | C. Clement |
| Probable | ||||
| Dufresne Uncaptured | M. Trombetta |
| Probable | ||||
| Makin My Move Carpe Diem | J. Kimmel |
| Probable | ||||
| Lady Danae Klimt | J. Sharp |
| Probable | ||||
| Static Fire Speightster | B. Lynch |
| Possible | ||||
| Kit Keller Ghostzapper | M. Stidham |
| Possible |
Sunday
Spinster (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Bonny South will try again to topple Letruska, who is 5-for-6 this year. Letruska beat Bonny South by 2 1/2 lengths in the Ogden Phipps (G1), but Bonny South was only a half-length behind her in the Personal Ensign (G1) last out. Envoutante has hit the board in each of hr 14 career starts but has not won a graded stakes since the Falls City (G2) in November. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
2021 Spinster (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letruska Super Saver | F. Gutierrez |
| Probable | ||||
| Dunbar Road Quality Road | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Bonny South Munnings | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Envoutante Uncle Mo | K. McPeek |
| Probable | ||||
| Bajan Girl Speightstown | R. Crichton |
| Probable |
Bourbon (G2), Keeneland, 1 1/16 miles (turf), 2-year-olds
Tiz the Bomb graduated on second try at Ellis Park and then switched to turf and won the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile. Red Danger followed a similar route, breaking his maiden on second try at Saratoga and then winning the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
2021 Bourbon (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiz The Bomb Hit It A Bomb | K. McPeek |
| Probable | ||||
| Credibility Nyquist | M. Casse |
| Probable | ||||
| On Thin Ice More Than Ready | M. Casse |
| Probable | ||||
| Vivar Cairo Prince | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Fast N Steady Fast Anna | J. Gonzalez |
| Probable | ||||
| Red Danger Orb | B. Lynch |
| Probable | ||||
| Dowagiac Chief Cairo Prince | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Martini'nmoonshine Malibu Moon | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Play Action Pass Cairo Prince | R. Medina |
| Probable | ||||
| Brit's Wit | A. McKeever | Probable |
Indian Summer (G2), Keeneland, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf), 2-year-olds
Averly Jane has won all three of her starts by multiple lengths and would switch to turf here. Kaufymaker broke his maiden at Keeneland by 6 1/4 lengths in April, then shipped to Ascot and finished eighth in the Coventry Stakes (G2). Last out, she was third in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
2021 Indian Summer (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Averly Jane Midshipman | W. Ward |
| Probable | ||||
| Roman Poet Carpe Diem | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Kaufymaker Jimmy Creed | W. Ward |
| Probable |
Beldame (G1), Belmont, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Horologist returns to graded-stakes company after winning the listed Summer Colony by 8 1/2 lengths. The filly she beat, Gold Spirit, also is possible here. Spice Is Nice has not raced since finishing fifth in the Fleur de Lis (G2) in June. Before that, she won the Allaire Dupont (G3).
2021 Beldame (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spice Is Nice Curlin | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Horologist Gemologist | W. Mott |
| Probable | ||||
| Thankful American Pharoah | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Royal Flag Candy Ride | C. Brown |
| Possible | ||||
| Gold Spirit Omayad | C. Brown |
| Possible | ||||
| Bajan Girl Speightstown | R. Crichton |
| Possible |
Futurity (G2), Belmont, 6 furlongs (turf), 2-year-olds
Run Curtis Run won his first two starts before finishing eighth in the Funny Cide last out at Saratoga. Midnight Worker scratched from the Oct. 3 Pilgrim and is possible here. This race is a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
2021 Futurity (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run Curtis Run Summer Front | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Midnight Worker Outwork | T. Pletcher |
| Possible | ||||
| Emma's Waltz Carpe Diem | J. Chapman |
| Probable | ||||
| Dance Code Honor Code | J. Vazquez |
| Probable | ||||
| Ready to March Tom's Ready | J. Chapman |
| Probable |
Knickerbocker (G3), Belmont, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up
Breaking the Rules and Sacred Life finished 1-2 last out in an allowance race at Saratoga. It was the first start for Breaking the Rules since he finished ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) in January. Sacred Life has hit the board in each of his 20 career starts but has not won since August 2020.
2021 Knickerbocker (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking the Rules War Front | C. McGaughey III |
| Probable | ||||
| Sacred Life Siyouni | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| En Wye Cee Declaration of War | T. Pletcher |
| Possible | ||||
| Eons Giant's Causeway | A. Delacour |
| Probable | ||||
| No Word Silent Name | T. Pletcher |
| Possible | ||||
| Temple Temple City | T. Morley |
| Probable |
Probables were not available for two Sunday stakes at Woodbine: the Durham Cup (G3), at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the Ontario Matron (G3), at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.
