Gallant Son will start from the No. 2 post-position in a field of 13 horses today in the $2 million Bessemer trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park.
The dominant Emerald Downs 2-year-old is 15-1 on the morning line set by Jeff Tufts of Santa Anita. Last year Smarty Deb was 30-1 on the morning line when she became the first Emerald Downs-based runner to compete in the Breeders’ Cup, finishing fifth in the Juvenile Fillies.
Enumclaw trainer Frank Lucarelli said being inside would help Gallant Son save ground in the mile and one-sixteenth event, and added the bulky field of runners won’t intimidate the colt, who prefers to run from behind.
“He doesn’t mind being around horses,” Lucarelli said. “That’s a good post, we didn’t want to draw outside.”
Gallant Son has taken a shine to the new Pro-Ride synthetic surface at Santa Anita, including a bullet sixfurlong workout in 1:12 Sunday under regular rider Leslie Mawing.
After getting Monday off, Gallant Son jogged Tuesday and Lucarelli said the tempo would increase with gallops Wednesday and Thursday.
“He’s still sharp and acting good,” Lucarelli said.
Gallant Son will break directly outside Munnings, the 7-2 morning line choice who has run third and second in consecutive Grade I events for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Square Eddie, the 9-2 second choice, drew the No. 4 post and comes off a 4½-length score in the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.
The $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is set to go to post at 12:55 p.m. and is the fifth race in an 11-race program at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
The race will be broadcast on ESPN.
• Apple Physical Therapy will honor one boy and one girl student athlete for both the fall and winter sport seasons with a $1,000 Athlete of the Quarter Scholarship.
Eligible student athletes must be high school seniors enrolled in a Western Washington high school, participating in a varsity sport and be in good-standing academically. The scholarship criteria include athlete performance, community service/involvement and other compelling personal circumstances.
Nomination forms are available to download at Apple Physical Therapy’s Web site, www.applept.com.Nomination forms are due December 1 for fall, 2008 and March 1 for Winter, 2009 applications.
Scholarship winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Fall, 2008 and Winter, 2009 seasons.
partner for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and oversees young athletes at the state football, basketball and softball tournaments each year.
• The Federal Way School District sign program is entering its second year. Advertising banners may be placed at Federal Way Memorial Field or in secondary schools. Each banner costs $500. For more information, contact Greg Flynn at gflynn@fwps or call (253) 945-5575.
Send Sports Briefs to sports@fedwaymirror.com
