Kitten's Joy Even Money in Breeders' Cup Turf

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Kitten's Joy was made the even-money favorite by Lone Star Park handicapper Rick Lee for Saturday's John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT).

The Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) winner drew post position 4 for trainer Dale Romans when eight horses were entered Wednesday for the 1 1/2-mile grass race.

Kitten's Joy will be ridden by John Velazquez, who was aboard for the Turf Classic victory on a yielding course, the El Prado colt's eighth in 11 career starts.

Magistretti, the 4-1 third on the morning line behind Kitten's Joy and Powerscourts (3-1), drew post 6 for trainer Patrick Biancone, who scoffed at its importance.

"With eight runners, I don't think it is a big deal," he said. "It's a mile and a half. (The morning line) is very logical. Powerscourt beat me. Kitten's Joy beat me, and I beat the others.

"But," Biancone added, "racing is not logical."

Star Over the Bay, the likely pacesetter, breaks inside of only Mustanfar from post 7.

"It just didn't matter what I drew for Star Over the Bay," said trainer Mike Mitchell. "He's just the lone speed in the race.

"We're not going to try anything stupid in here. We're going to let him go and if they want to go after him they can. It's the only way he can run. If they're out here to win this race, I don't think they'll go with me for the first five-eighths or three-quarters (of a mile). I don't think they'll collar me until the backside. They're not going to change their styles (of running). They're going to hope I'm cheap and I'll stop, but I have to think that with five-eighths of a mile left, they'll be coming after me."

The field for the Turf, in post position order, with jockeys and morning-line odds:
1-Powerscourt, Jamie Spencer, 3-1
2-Request for Parole, Pat Day, 20-1
3-Strut the Stage, Corey Nakatani, 20-1
4-Kitten's Joy, John Velazquez, Even
5-Better Talk Now, Ramon Dominguez, 15-1
6-Magistretti, Edgar Prado, 4-1
7-Star Over the Bay, Tyler Baze, 10-1
8-Mustanfar, Jose Santos, 20-1