Harlan’s Holiday will have a trio of starters in the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup Championships, trying to build on his resume after getting his first Cup winner last year with eventual 2-year-old champion colt Shanghai Bobby in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Harlan’s Holiday, currently the leading North American sire of 2-year-olds, has Poker Player in the $1 million Juvenile Turf (G1) on Friday’s at 5:25 pm ET. Trained by Wayne Catalano for Gary and Mary West, Poker Player comes into the Turf with a two-race winning streak, including a thrilling come-from-behind win in the Grade 3 Bourbon S. at Keeneland. The gray or roan colt drew post 11 of 13 in the one-mile contest.
Shifting to Saturday, Summer Applause cuts back in distance in the sixth race, the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at seven furlongs. Four-year-old Summer Applause has competed at the top of her division since breaking her maiden, coincidentally at seven furlongs, in late 2011. The Greenwood Lodge homebred has racked up three graded stakes victories since and adds plenty of intrigue to the 12-horse field.
Boat Trip will break from post 6 in the $1 million Turf Sprint, which will be contested on Santa Anita’s downhill course. Boat Trip has a win and a second over the unique surface, losing by the narrowest of margins in last month’s Grade 3 Eddie D. after coming from the back of the pack with a furious rally.
The Turf Sprint is the 7th race on Saturday, with a post time of 5:05 pm ET.
