Spa Stars Vie for Breeders' Futurity

Two notable graded winners from Saratoga Race Course's summer meet will head west for the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland, with a spot in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) on the line.

The 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" contest will feature graded winners in Big Chief Racing's Exaggerator and Starlight Racing's Uncle Vinny, but they won at the Spa in very different ways.

Exaggerator, a son of Curlin   trained by Keith Desormeaux, overcame a challenging trip last time out to take the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special (gr. II), just a start after breaking his maiden at Del Mar by a nose. The Breeders' Futurity will be his first two-turn try.

NOVAK: Exaggerator Brave in Saratoga Special

Two turns is also a question mark for Uncle Vinny, who is trained by Todd Pletcher. The Uncle Mo   colt broke through in the six-furlong Sanford Stakes (gr. III) July 25 at Saratoga through disqualification, when Magna Light was disqualified from first place because he veered out and interfered with Percolator.

ANGST: Uncle Vinny Placed First in Sanford Stakes

In his next start, this time at seven furlongs, Uncle Vinny finished third, well behind top finishers Ralis and Magna Light in the Hopeful (gr. I) Sept. 7.

Radar Racing's Rated R Superstar is the only entrant with experience beyond a mile. The Ken McPeek trainee closed to finish second last time out in the 1 1/16-mile Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs Sept. 12.

Uncle Jerry, Hawkbill, Brody's Cause, and Pinnacle Peak all come into the Breeders' Futurity with victories at a mile. Uncle Jerry and Brody's Cause each won at the maiden special weight level, while Hawkbill and Pinnacle Peak bring stakes-winning credentials.

Hawkbill, a son of Kitten's Joy  , has won three straight stakes on synthetic footing in England and will be making his U.S. debut. Pinnacle Peak broke his maiden in the Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile Stakes Aug. 7 and was third last time out in the Sapling Stakes Sept. 6 at Monmouth Park.

Maiden winners Sticksstatelydude, Sheikh of Sheikhs, and Threefiveindia, along with maidens Gametown and Wild Man, complete the field.