Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile recap

Early Kentucky Derby 2017 favorite Classic Empire stalked, pounced, and held off Not This Time to capture the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, November 5.

The aforementioned BC Juvenile also attracted Grade 1 winners Gormley, Klimt, and Practical Joke, but they were no match for Classic Empire and Not This Time. The aforementioned dynamic duo were well clear of show finisher Practical Joke and the Juvenile Beyer Speed Figure came back a very good 102. 

You can read my entire Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Kentucky Derby 2017 update: Breeders' Cup Juvenile preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile will be run later this weekend at Santa Anita Park and seven of my Top 11 Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders are entered. 

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 10-29-16)

#1 - Silver Assault

#2 - Klimt

#3 - Not This Time

#4 - Three Rules

#5 - Theory

#6 - Gormley

#7 - Classic Empire 

#8 - Straight Fire

#9 - Favorable Outcome

#10 - Mastery

#11 - Term of Art

You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards

Breeders' Cup Juvenile 2016 video preview

The 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile is shaping up as a competitive race with a good mix of speed horses, stalkers, and closers.

Syndergaard and Gormley are the early threats and the latter has the home court advantage following a wire job win in the G1 FrontRunner. Undefeated Gulfstream shipper Three Rules should be forwardly placed as well.

Klimt, the FrontRunner runner-up, should be stalking the pace for trainer Bob Baffert. G1 Breeders' Futurity hero Classic Empire and Theory, 2-for-2 at six furlongs for trainer Todd Pletcher, should also be tracking the front runners.

If the early pace heats up, look for Churchill Downs shipper Not This Time to pick up the pieces.