Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Pomeroy was made the 9-5 morning line choice for the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III) and Padua Stable's Class Above was given the same listing for the Kentucky Juvenile Fillies by Turfway Park oddsmaker Mike Battaglia for Saturday's 10th running of the Kentucky Cup at the northern Kentucky track.
Pomeroy, runner-up to Cuvee in the Saratoga Special (gr. II) on Aug. 13 will face eight rivals in the 1 1/16-miles Juvenile, the first graded stakes for 2-year-olds around two turns. Class Above, from trainer Bob Baffert's shedrow in Southern California, won her lone start impressively by 5 ½ lengths at Del Mar on Aug. 23.
Pomeroy is a Kentucky-bred son of Boundary out of the Seeking the Gold mare Questress. He broke his maiden in his first start on June 13 at Belmont by six lengths, then dismantled an allowance field at Monmouth Park by 11 ½ lengths prior to the Saratoga Special. While he was beaten 7 ½ lengths by Cuvee at the Spa, he was 4 ½ lengths ahead of third place finisher Limehouse. Edgar Prado has the mount for trainer Patrick Biancone.
Ruler's Court was made second-choice on the morning line at 3-1. The Eoin Harty-trianed by of Doneraile Court broke his maiden in June at Hollywood Park, and has since finished behind Perfect Moon in a pair of stakes: the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) and Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) at Del Mar. Owned by Darly Stud Management, Ruler's Court worked four furlongs in :47 4/5 at Santa Anita on Tuesday.
Battaglia listed both Bustin' Out and The Cliff's Edge as 5-1 co-third choices for the Juvenile. Overbrook Farm's Bustin' Out is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and The Cliff's Edge is a Nick Zito-trained son of Gulch owned by Robert Lapenta. The Cliff's Edge broke his maiden by four lengths in his lone start Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
The Juvenile has been a springboard for top 2-year-old talent. In 2000, Point Given won the Juvenile on his way to running second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and later being named Horse of the Year as a 3-year-old. In 2001, Repent was the victor, and he went on to also run second in the Breeders' Cup and was a top 3-year-old. Last year's winner was Vindication, Breeders' Cup winner and champion 2-year-old. Both Point Given and Vindication were trained by Baffert.
Class Above worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 for Baffert at Del Mar on Sunday. She'll face seven in the one-mile Juvenile Fillies, including Sweet Jo Jo, a back-to-back stakes winner for Grunwald Racing and trainer Steve Asmussen. A dark bay daughter of Grand Slam, Sweet Jo Jo has won three of four lifetime starts and has already earned $104, 210. Her last start, a three-length score in the A.M. Fisher Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park on Aug. 16 came at seven furlongs.
Renaissance Lady was second in the Debutante and has been listed as the 5-2 third choice. Owned by Robert and Beverly Lewis and trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the A.P. Indy filly has had trouble breaking from the gate, but has proven to be a strong stretch runner. She worked three furlongs in :35 2/5 on Aug. 28 at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III), $100,000, 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, Turfway Park, Sept. 13, 5:09 p.m. EST
PP, Jockey, ML
1, Ravadon, D. Butler, 30-1
2, Pomeroy, E. Prado, 9-5
3, Golden Tones, C. Velasquez, 6-1
4, Bustin' Out, R. Albarado, 5-1
5, Bogangles, C. Borel, 20-1
6, Mr. Jester, R. Bejarano, 20-1
7, The Cliff's Edge, S. Sellers, 5-1
8, Proper Prado, J. McKee, 10-1
9, Ruler's Court, P. Day, 3-1
Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, $100,000, 2-year-old fillies, one mile, Turfway Park, Sept. 13, 4:38 p.m. EST
PP, Jockey, ML
1, Cedar Summer, J. McKee, 10-1
2, Scottish Mist, R. Albarado, 20-1
3, Sweet Jo Jo, S. Gonzales, 2-1
4, Renaissance Lady, P. Day, 5-2
5, Allamerican Beauty, F. Arguello, 15-1
6, Class Above, E. Prado, 9-5
7, Miss Ooh La La, R. Bejarano, 30-1
8, Poets and Angels, C. Velasquez, 15-1
