July 13, 2015

The Breeders Stakes is the final stop on the Canadian Triple Crown and over the years, has been the coming out party for many great horses who have used the 1 ½ turf test as a stepping stone to big success. The early years at HRP were lined with superstars including Lord Flashheart, second in the Queens Plate and Prince Of Wales, Out To Kill, second to monster Rancho Ruler before his score in 2009, and of course, Stealth Fighter, who became the only Triple Crown winner in 2010 after his docile score over a yielding course (he would go on to win multiple Grade II events later in his career). Last year, Turon Warrior proved best after scoring in the Grade I BEL Derby, and would win the Northern Dancer BC Turf in the following start to highlight a memorable treble, and this year, we do one better in having Grade I BEL winner Deja Steel return to WO for a chance at another huge win against four rivals, two of which only have maiden victories and will be trying to step up to the big times, in a big way.

1-Deja Steel (Three-year-old black colt / Owner-Mb Stables)

Grade I BEL winner Deja Steel is certainly not without his merits on the grass, with a Grade II win as a juvenile and a huge allowance score at LS over a yielding turf to his credit, and the hope is that he can rebound off his even effort in the Queens Plate and spark a big weekend for his family. Older brother Forever Steel goes in the Grade I AP Million, so he has the pedigree to handle both the class and the distance, and inside speed should help him with a clean trip against a very reachable field.

Analysis-Holds a big class edge with his BEL win

Fair Odds-5/2

2-Planet Java (Three-year-old black colt / Owner-Whitewater Stables)

Planet Java finally got his maiden win in his third career start last time out over the MTH main track but that does not translate to a 12-furlong victory on the turf and he will be up against it to hit the board, based on his style and speed ratings. He does show a very good workout over the WO turf and will be closing at the end but distance and surface still poise questions and if you want to back him, take him at a high price to complete your exotics.

Analysis-Not at the same level as many in here

Fair Odds-20/1

3-Consus (Three-year-old bay colt / Owner-Sarah Stables)

Duel stakes winner Consus took the Bold Ruckus over the course but shipped to BEL to score in the Manila over open rivals with a powerful late rush and with improving speed ratings and a fondness for longer distances, he could be the spoiler as he goes for another added-money win. The Grade II American Turf at CD was one of his tougher races and he simply failed to fire that day but this is a more modest field and he has the ability to set the early fractions if he wants, which gives him plenty of options over the course of 12-furlongs.

Analysis-Looks good on the turf last time and that makes him a key choice

Fair Odds-7/2

4-Skhyperion (Three-year-old bay colt / Owner-Yahudi Stables)

Purchased for $80.000 in March, Skhyperion was good enough to win two straight route events on the turf before a start as one of the mid-priced runners in the BEL Derby but an even ninth-place finish there meant it was back to the drawing board and he finds himself back against state-bred company in hopes of regaining his form. A single workout over the MTH main track leaves much to be desired in terms of prep but one has to consider his previous turf experience and rank him as a top three shot, even if he was unable to get close to the favourite at BEL last time out.

Analysis-Must improve off his last to challenge

Fair Odds-5/1

5-First Family (Three-year-old gray colt / Owner-Team 7 Illusions)

There are many reasons to like First Family if you are looking for a Breeders Stakes longshot, with first and foremost being his breeding; multiple turf stakes winners including Beautiful Era, Cannoli and Carnage come from his dam’s side while is sire is Charley Farley, one of the best in the game. That being said, he does only own a maiden win in four turf tries and has never faced this level of competition so the hope is that his pedigree can take him farther than expected, with a minor placing at best as he continues to grow.

Analysis-Famous family will help to a degree

Fair Odds-8/1

Overall

Two big wins on the turf and a score in the Grade I BEL make Deja Steel the slight choice in the Breeders Stakes but others are not without their merit and the inside runner needs to find all he can in the final quarter-mile to take down another top victory. Consus has won two in a row including a turf score over this course so he ranks as a clear second while Skhyperion is good but was not his best in the BEL Derby and needs to step up that little bit to challenge the top two.

Prediction

Win-Deja Steel (5/2)

Place-Consus (7/2)

Show-Skhyperion (5/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Ungraded