2012 Breeders' Cup: Juvenile preview

Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile
1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
Two-year-olds
$2,000,000

Day: Saturday, Nov. 3
Post Time: 11:36 a.m ET
TV: NBCSN

This year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile field is one of the weaker collection of colts to enter this race in quite some time. Typically, the winner of the Juvenile is the winter book favorite (or one of the favorites) for the Kentucky Derby, but with the exception of one or two horses in the field, this group doesn't appear destined for greatness next spring. Of course, attempting to judge the long term talents of a field of juveniles is incredibly difficult under any circumstances. But in this case, many of the Juvenile contenders have accomplish so little that it's difficult envisioning prolonged success in the coming months.

Shanghai Bobby is by far the most accomplished horse in the field and a legitimate favorite at 2/1 on the morning line. He's undefeated in four lifetime starts and has wins in the G2-Hopeful and G1-Champagne on his resume. He could be closer to even money on the tote board by the time this field goes to post.

Speak Logistics ships into the Breeders' Cup from Calder Race Course in Florida, where he's coming off a nice victory in the FSN Reality Stakes, an ungraded and restricted stakes race at two-turns. That two-turn experience could be valuable against a field where many haven't attempted a route race. Speak Logistics likes to get out and run hard in the early stages, a difficult way to win a race when there are other speed horses in the starting gate.

Power Broker dominated the G1-Front Runner at Santa Anita in his last start and is another quality colt in the deep barn of trainer Bob Baffert. This colt failed to win a race in her three starts over turf and Polytrack but "woke up" when touching the dirt for the first time at Santa Anita. Like Speak Logistics, Power Broker has won a race at two-turns.

Title Contender comes into the race after breaking his maiden at Santa Anita in his most recent start for Bob Baffert. One wonders how many good juveniles Bob Baffert can train in a single season as there is no end to the talent in his barn.

The Pick

Power Broker's prior success over the Santa Anita dirt track, and his wide post position that should allow jockey Rafael Bejarano to pick and choose where to place his ride in the early stages, which should make him awfully tough to beat.

9-Power Broker (5/2)
8-Fortify (9/2)
4-Shanghai Bobby (2/1)

The Field