Jackie's Warrior Faces First Two-Turn Test in Juvenile

Jackie's Warrior's exploits this summer—victories in the Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (G2), Runhappy Hopeful Stakes (G1), and Champagne Stakes (G1)—made him the first horse since Dehere in 1993 to manage that stakes triple.

Now he'll look to succeed where Dehere could not—by winning the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 6. Dehere finished eighth in the 1993 Juvenile at Santa Anita Park in his first two-turn try, though he still managed to win the Eclipse Award that year.

At 1 1/16 miles, the Juvenile marks the longest race of Jackie's Warrior's four-race career and first two-turn route. Just as challenging is the company he faces, a deep cast that includes graded stakes winners Essential Quality and Sittin On Go.

Though that duo has yet to race on the lead, there are others in the Juvenile who are frontrunners like Jackie's Warrior, which could force the probable favorite into a stiffer early test than what unfolded in the Champagne. Racing Oct. 10 at Belmont Park, the Kirk and Judy Robison-owned colt set an uncontested pace under Joel Rosario and pulled away for a 5 1/2-length victory with a mile in 1:35.42.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said he chose the Champagne, rather than a two-turn race such as the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, due to timing and his charge already running in New York. He acknowledged the difficult race facing his trainee Friday and the speed elements in the colt's pedigree.

"Obviously, he is by Maclean's Music , a Distorted Humor  son out of Forest Music, who was a brilliantly classy sprinter who actually won the Honorable Miss (Handicap, G2) for us, and out of a mare who was a multiple winner, but most all at sprint distances," he said.

Proven over the track and trip is Godolphin's Essential Quality, a 2-for-2 Tapit  colt who defeated Juvenile longshot Keepmeinmind by 3 1/4 lengths in the Breeders' Futurity Oct. 3. After pressing the leader, Essential Quality drew away under Luis Saez to finish 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.37.

"You know the sky's the limit, really, with him," trainer Brad Cox said. "He's a very talented colt that showed up both times we've run him, and you know he's got to step up again."

The two grade 1 winners have not discouraged the competition. Numerous trainers are taking chances with up-and-comers in the Juvenile, often a championship-deciding race and valuable for eventual stud careers.

One trainer taking a swing is Kenny McPeek, represented by first-out maiden victor Camp Hope and Street Sense Overnight Stakes winner King Fury.

"Even the favorite coming out of New York—he's been running one turn," McPeek said. "He's got some learning to do himself. So these things are wide open."

Trainer Chad Brown seeks Juvenile success with Reinvestment Risk, who mirrors Good Magic , Brown's 2017 Juvenile winner and champion 2-year-old, in preparation. Both ran second in the Champagne. Reinvestment Risk was also second to Jackie's Warrior in the Hopeful.

Entries: TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1)

Keeneland, Friday, November 06, 2020, Race 10

• Grade I
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $2,000,000
• 2 yo Colts and Geldings
• 5:15 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Camp Hope (KY)	Robby Albarado	122	Kenneth G. McPeek	30/1
2	2King Fury (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	122	Kenneth G. McPeek	15/1
3	3Reinvestment Risk (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Chad C. Brown	9/2
4	4Likeable (KY)	John R. Velazquez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	15/1
5	5Essential Quality (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Brad H. Cox	4/1
6	6Keepmeinmind (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	122	Robertino Diodoro	30/1
7	7Jackie's Warrior (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Steven M. Asmussen	7/5
8	8Classier (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Bob Baffert	12/1
9	9Sittin On Go (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	122	Dale L. Romans	12/1
10	10Dreamer's Disease (KY)	David Cohen	122	Robertino Diodoro	30/1
11	11Next (KY)	Gerardo Corrales	122	Wesley A. Ward	15/1
12	12Hot Rod Charlie (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	122	Doug F. O'Neill	30/1
13	13Rombauer (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	Michael W. McCarthy	15/1
14	14Calibrate (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	20/1