Munnings Lukewarm Juvenile Favorite

Champagne Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Munnings  was installed as the lukewarm 7-2 favorite when 13 horses were entered in the Oct. 25 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

Square Eddie, winner of Keeneland’s grade I Lane's End Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) in his U.S. debut and in his first start for new owner J. Paul Reddam, is the 9-2 second choice.

Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) winner Midshipman  was made the 5-1 third choice. A 2-year-old son of Unbridled's Song trained by Bob Baffert for owner Stonerside Farm, Midshipman finished second to Juvenile contender Street Hero in the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) after winning the Del Mar Futurity.

Two intriguing entrants are Gallant Son and Mine That Bird, the most accomplished runners in the field who are both riding four-race winning streaks.

BC Juvenile Slide Show

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: 1984-2007

The pride of the Northwest, Chris and Diane Randall’s Gallant Son has won four stakes after breaking his maiden, all at Washington state’s Emerald Downs racetrack. The son of Malabar Gold is trained by Frank Lucarelli.

Canadian-based Mine That Bird, a son of Birdstone  previously trained by David Cotey, has also won three stakes after annexing his maiden, all at Woodbine. Previous to the Breeders’ Cup, he won the Grey Stakes (Can-III). He subsequently changed ownership and is now trained by Richard Manella.

Shipping to the U.S. off a group I victory in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, Bushranger hopes to improve on his record of four wins in six starts with a Juvenile victory. The son of Danetime also won the group I Darley Prix Morny, group III Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes and finished third in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I).

The Juvenile lost one of its contenders when Believe in Hope was withdrawn Oct. 20 due to an injury.

Other stakes winners in the 12-horse field are Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) winner Azul Leon and Pilgrim Stakes (gr. III) winner Elusive Bluff.