G3-Positioned Giocoso, Cavallo Bay Lead Deep Bourbon Discipline

Graded stakes expertise could show a bonus for Giocoso  and Cavallo Bay  after they race Oct. 6 towards a deep area within the Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland. 

They enter the $350,000 stakes race for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf after each have been third in grade 3s. Rocker O Ranch’s Giocoso confirmed within the Sept. 14 Iroquois Stakes (G3) on filth at Churchill Downs, whereas Godolphin’s Cavallo Bay was third throughout the wire on grass within the Aug. 29 With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course.

Although each have been outkicked down the stretch, none of those that defeated them in these stakes are again in Sunday’s Bourbon. Jonathan’s Manner  and Owen Almighty , who completed in entrance of Giocoso, are into consideration for the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on filth at Del Mar, and Zulu Kingdom  and Tenacious Chief  are different potential contenders for Breeders’ Cup races. Zulu Kingdom was a follow-up winner of the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T), incomes him a berth within the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, whereas Tenacious Chief will begin within the Oct. 5 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on filth.

Although Giocoso made his final begin on filth within the Iroquois, his pedigree and previous performances recommend he ought to run as nicely, if not higher, on turf. A son of Not This Time  , whose runners have flourished on a number of surfaces, together with turf, he’s out of the Irish-bred mare Nutcracker Suite .

This summer season at Ellis Park, following a debut fifth sprinting on filth at Churchill Downs, the Keith Desormeaux-trained Giocoso ran second in his first begin on turf July 7 earlier than graduating by 6 1/4 lengths Aug. 5.

His begin within the Iroquois adopted, and after being eager early and making a center transfer, he checked in seven lengths behind front-running Jonathan’s Manner.

Jonathan’s Manner is formally on the Street to the #KyDerby! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/F93eHF9kgf

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) September 14, 2024

Cavallo Bay, a Pinatubo  colt racing for the second time in the US for coach Charlie Appleby, made three begins in Britain, successful twice, earlier than shedding the With Anticipation by 3 1/4 lengths.

Giocoso and Cavallao Bay are 9-2 and 6-1 odds, respectively, simply behind Warlander  (7-2) and Clock Tower  (4-1), maiden winners through the current Kentucky Downs meet.

Governor Sam, Chasing Liberty Battle in Indian Summer season

The Bourbon is one in every of two stakes races for juveniles on turf Sunday at Keeneland, the opposite being the $250,000 Indian Summer season Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on grass.

Although the Indian Summer season isn’t a “Win and You are In” just like the Bourbon, the race generally propels its high finishers towards the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Dash (G1T). Just like the Bourbon, it’s also overdrawn past a capability area dimension of 12 horses.

Coach George Weaver, whose runners usually excel in turf sprints, has a two-time stakes winner entered in Governor Sam , who, after a second-out maiden win July 19 at Saratoga, added the Aug. 3 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park and the Sept. 7 Rosie’s Stakes at Colonial Downs.

The Bregman Household Racing and Swinbank Stables-owned Unbelievable   colt is favored on the morning line at 3-1 odds over 4-1 Chasing Liberty , a son of Structure   who improved to 2-for-2 in taking the $872,500 Juvenile Dash Stakes by way of disqualification Sept. 1 at Kentucky Downs for proprietor Twin Creeks Racing Stables and coach Rob Atras.