Imperia Draws Post 11 in BC Juvenile Turf

Godolphin Racing's Imperia, winner of the Pilgrim Stakes (gr. IIIT) in his previous start, drew post 11 in a field of 14 2-year-olds entered for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Imperia just missed winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race on the grass at Saratoga Race Course in his debut in August. But he returned to win the Pilgrim at Belmont Park with a nice off-the-pace run while racing on furosemide for the first time. Javier Castellano gets a return call on the Medaglia d'Oro   colt.

Neal McLaughlin, assistant to the trainer, noted Imperia and Sayaad, who races in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), drew post 11.

"The good news is with those posts we can stay out of trouble," McLaughlin said. "Imperia likes to come from off the pace, and we've got one of the best turf riders in the country."

The speedy Luck of the Kitten, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, drew post 3 for trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Mike Smith. The Kitten's Joy   homebred colt won the one-mile Zuma Beach Stakes on the grass at Santa Anita going wire to wire in his last start.

Turf Stables' Lawn Ranger and Donegal Racing's Danny Boy, the one-two finishers in the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (gr. IIIT) at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Oct. 5, drew posts 13 and 14, respectively. Lawn Ranger (by U S Ranger  ), trained by Ken McPeek, has tactical speed, while Dale Romans trainee Danny Boy (Harlan's Holiday) races from off the pace.

Smith, Magnier, and Tabor's Hootenanny, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, drew post 5 for trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Frankie Dettori. The Quality Road   colt was a close second in the Darley Prix Morny (Fr-I) in his last start Aug. 24 and will make his first start around two turns.

Because the field is limited to 14 starters, Faithful Creek and Papacoolpapacool are on the also-eligible list.