Tiznow, the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), could get his second Cup winner as a sire when Strong Mandate goes postward in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Strong Mandate will earn the win after drawing the outside post in the field of 14 in the 1 1/16-mile affair.
“The plus in the equation is that (jockey Joel) Rosario has ridden this course and he knows it,” Lukas said of his rider and the obstacles he faces. “I am counting on him to overcome the negativity. He can still win this race, but he has a lot to overcome. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in this horse. I think he is very special.”
Strong Mandate showed just how special with a a 9 3/4 length win in the Grade 1 Hopeful S. at Saratoga this summer. A $200,000 Keeneland Summer Yearling seller to owners Robert Baker and William Mack, Strong Mandate has won two of four starts, earning $232,900.
The Juvenile is the 8th race on Saturday, with a post time of 5:43 pm ET.
