Midshipman, a son of Unbridled's Song, who won the BC Juvenile in 1995, is headed to Churchill Downs come next May for two minutes of glory, or for a lasting taint of failure. Midshipman will grow into his three-year-old season to enter the battleground of the Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs. There, under the shadow of the famed twin towers, legends are born, or promising careers are momentarily squelched in the cruel expectations of the Sport of Kings.
From the second Midshipman crossed the finish line first in the 1-1/16 miles $2 Million Breeders' Cup Juvenile October 25 under sunny skies at famed Santa Anita Park, clouds began to gather over the winner's head. Can he emerge as a three-year-old champion at Louisville? The question will pop in and out of Thoroughbred circles from now until that historic first Saturday in May, when Midshipman takes his shot at the Derby crown.
The scenario is a good deal of pressure to put on the flanks of a trainee who has no more than his maiden win (by a nose) to boast of before taking the BC Juvenile win. Such is the atmoshpere of Thoroughbred racing.
Past Breeders' Cup Juvenile Winners
Only Street Sense, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2007, was able to break the jinx of preceding a Derby win with victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The 25 BC Juvenile winners follow:
2008 -- MIdshipman; 2007 -- War Pass; 2006 -- Street Sense; 2005 -- Stevie Wonderboy; 2004 -- Wilko; 2003 -- Action This Day; 2002 -- Vindication; 2001 -- Johannesburg; 2000 -- Macho Uno; 1999 -- Anees; 1998 -- Answer Lively; 1997 -- Favorite Trick; 1996 -- Boston Harbor; 1995 -- Unbridled's Song; 1994 -- Timber Country; 1993 -- Brocco; 1992 -- Gilded Time; 1991 -- Arazi; 1990 -- Fly So Free; 1989 -- Rhythm; 1988 -- Is It True; 1987 -- Success Express; 1986 -- Capote; 1985 -- Tasso; 1984 -- Chief's Crown.
(Note: In 1984, 1985, and 1987, the BC Juvenile was contested at one mile. In 2002, the race was run at 1-1/8 miles.)
Bob Baffert Gets Two BC Winners
Midshipman provided trainer Bob Baffert with the first of back-to-back wins in this year's Breeders' Cup races when he pounced ahead of his fellows in the Juvenile. Midnight Lute followed Midshipman's victory with a triumph in the BC Sprint. It was also Midnight Lute's second BC Sprint win in two years. He became the first back-to-back title holder and the first two-time champion in that competition.
Baffert now is the conditioner of one of the leading Derby contenders, (possibly the 2008 Juvenile Champion Male), and of the only two-time BC Sprint champion.
Midshipman will likely be chased next year by Square Eddie and Street Hero, both of whom he sprinted away from in the BC Juvenile as he completed the synthetic course in 1:40.94. His rivals held on for second and third place, respectively.
Second Annual Juvenile Turf
Great Britain's Donativum won the second annual Juvenile Turf in a hotly contested finish with Ireland's Westphalia. The $1 million one mile race ended between the two after they both overtook Orthodox, who had jumped out strongly from Gate 10 and led the first six furlongs.
Last year's inaugural Juvenile Turf was won by Nownownow, with Julien Leparoux in the saddle. Achill Island placed second, and Cannonball went third.
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
