A total of 13 runners by current WinStar stallions will contest this year’s Breeders’ Cup over the next two days.
Tiznow will be represented by Tourist in the Mile (G1) and Term of Art in the Juvenile (G1).
Tourist, bred by WinStar Farm and campaigned by WinStar in partnership with Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber, won the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga and most recently finished a close third in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland for trainer Bill Mott. Tourist post position No. 5 at Monday’s draw. Term of Art, owned by Calumet Farm, broke his maiden in his last start for trainer Doug O’Neill, and will start from post No. 3.
More Than Ready’s Tom’s Ready will begin from post No. 2 in the Dirt Mile (G1) and Made You Look goes in the Juvenile Turf (G1) and will start from post No. 5.
G M B Racing’s Tom’s Ready won the Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park over the summer and most recently won the Ack Ack Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs for trainer Dallas Stewart. Made You Look, owned by Let’s Go Stable and Three Chimneys Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, won Saratoga’s With Anticipation Stakes (G2) in his most recent outing.
Congrats’ Haveyougoneaway drew post No. 2 in the Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), and his J.S. Choice will leave from post No. 7 in the Juvenile Turf (G1). Gary Barber and Sequel Racing’s Haveyougoneaway has won three consecutive stakes, including the Ballerina Stakes (G1) and the Honorable Miss (G2) for trainer Thomas Morley. K R A Stud Farm’s J.S. Choice broke his maiden at Saratoga in September and returned to finish second in the Pilgrim Stakes (G3) at Belmont for Todd Pletcher.
“I think he should like this turf course better,” said Pletcher. “The one at Belmont that day had a little more cut than is ideal for him. This one should be firmer and more like the ones he ran on at Saratoga.
Gemologist, a leading Freshman sire, has two Breeders’ Cup representatives in his first crop—Theory (post No. 4) in the Juvenile (G1) and Yellow Agate (post No. 4) in the Juvenile Fillies (G1). Theory, owned by WinStar, China Horse Club and SF Bloodstock, is undefeated in two starts after breaking his maiden at Saratoga over the summer and then winning the Futurity Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park Oct. 1.
“His breezes leading up to his debut were very impressive, and his debut was very impressive,” said Pletcher. “Originally, we were hoping to give him a start in the Hopeful, but we got him back on course in the Futurity. I thought he ran well and galloped out really, really strongly. The way he ran and, more importantly, the way he finished and galloped out gave us optimism that he had the foundation to give this a try.”
Yellow Agate is undefeated in her two career starts for owner China Horse Club and trainer Christophe Clement. She broke her maiden at first asking and was a game winner of the Frizette Stakes (G1) in her most recent start.
Pioneerof the Nile, sire of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner American Pharoah, has Midnight Storm in the Mile and Classic Empire in the Juvenile (G1). John Oxley’s Classic Empire is fresh off a three-length victory in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.
“He’s brilliant, and nothing really bothers him,” said trainer Mark Casse. “He impresses me. He has this kind of strut to him that he does instead of just walking. It’s probably one of the reasons why we bought him.”
Midnight Storm, winner of the three straight graded races—the Shoemaker Mile (G1), Eddie Read (G2) and Del Mar Mile (G2)—drew post position No. 13 for owners A. Venneri Racing and Little Red Feather Racing and trainer Philip D’Amato.
Last year’s Sprint (G1) victor and subsequent Sprint Champion Runhappy, by Super Saver, will stretch out in the Dirt Mile (G1) where he will face Speightstown’s Tamarkuz, owned by Shadwell Stable.
James McIngvale’s Runhappy will be making his first start around two turns in more than 21 months. Jockey Gary Stevens, who won last year’s Malibu Stakes (G1) on Runhappy (post No. 7), will be back aboard on Saturday.
“The first thing I told them (after the race) was that he’ll run long,” Stevens said. “I knew after the first eighth of a mile. He has such an efficient stride and is a joy to ride. He’s got a lot of class.”
Tamarkuz (post 8) is seeking his first stakes win since capturing the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) in 2015. The 6-year-old is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.
Artie Schiller, one week removed from his son Flying Artie’s impressive victory in the Coolmore Stud S. (G1) at Flemington in Australia, will have Bowies Hero (post No. 10) in the Juvenile Turf (G1) for owners Agave Racing Stable and Hebert Bloodstock.
