Battleground leads usual strong European assault on Juvenile Turf

8.10 Keeneland
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) | 1m | 2yo c&g | Sky

Battleground heads a typically strong European turnout in the Juvenile Turf, with the Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood winner bidding to emulate his dam Found by winning at the two-day event in Keeneland.

The son of War Front could not be better related as Found won the Breeders' Cup Turf the last time the championships were held at the Kentucky track in 2015, and he bids to give Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore a fifth win in the $1 million Juvenile Turf following victories in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017.

As he has been absent since winning the Vintage Stakes in July, Battleground will be a fresher horse than most but will not lack for fitness as he was ready for the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last month until the ground went against him.

O'Brien said: "We're happy with him. Initially he was trained for the National Stakes and the Dewhurst but we didn't get to run him.

"It's his first time running over a mile but we think he'll be okay at it. He should learn plenty. The nice ground and track should be fine.

"His dam Found was a great mare who gave us some great days, including in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland and the Arc a year later."

Battleground heads a cast of seven European runners including three from Britain, whose chief hope is New Mandate. He earned his ticket for the contest by winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September, one of five in the field coming from the 'Win And You're In' route to the Breeders' Cup.

Ralph Beckett, who also fields Dewhurst fourth Devilwala, a first ride at the Breeders' Cup for Rossa Ryan, will likely be pleased with stall two for New Mandate, who is the mount of Frankie Dettori, a three-time winner of this race.

Another Breeders' Cup first timer is Michael Bell, who is represented by Royal Ascot winner The Lir Jet, but his runner looks to have been done no favours with the draw on his first attempt at a mile as he has to come widest of all from stall 14.

What they say

Frederic Rossi, trainer of Sealiway
Originally I regarded him as a fast horse, a six-furlong horse, but then I realised that was maybe not the case. Although he’s fast, he needs some time to find his momentum.

Frankie Dettori, rider of New Mandate
He’s got plenty of speed, in fact we had to slow him down at the start of his races in England, and he has a nice draw in stall two. He ran round the bend well at Sandown and Ralph [Beckett] is very happy with him. I can see him running a big race.

Chad Brown, trainer of Public Sector
He has a nice draw [stall four] and it looks like there’s some pace in the race. He should be able to work out a good trip from there.

Cadillac: will be suited by quick groundCredit: Patrick McCann

Kate Harrington, assistant to Jessica Harrington, trainer of Cadillac
He's travelled over well and we couldn't be happier with his preparation. He just got bogged down a little on the soft ground at Newmarket but hopefully we can see the real Cadillac now the ground is in his favour. He obviously likes Leopardstown and his two wins around there have come on a nice surface around a bend going left-handed, so hopefully the track at Keeneland should suit him well.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Shadwell Stable, owners of Mutasaabeq
He's a quality horse and having won a Grade 2 at Keeneland, it should give him an edge in what looks a competitive event.

Wesley Ward, trainer of Outadore
He’s a really nice colt and has been breezing well. He’s been working with Campanelle and is coming into the race in good order. He’s ready for this race, but he’ll eventually go to the dirt and I see no problem with the extra distance.

Michael Bell, trainer of The Lir Jet
He's in great form and we're really looking forward to it. The draw could have been kinder as we're drawn in West Virginia and he will need an inspired ride from Oisin but I couldn’t be happier with the horse's wellbeing.

Mutasaabeq heads home challenge

Mutasaabeq heads the home challenge and posted a perfect trial when coming from off the pace to land the Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland last month.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who won this ten years ago with Pluck, bids for another success with Mutasaabeq, who is out to cap a stellar year worldwide for his owners Shadwell.

Other US hopes include the Wesley Ward-trained Outadore who is stepping up in trip having won both his starts, latterly a Listed contest at this venue over six and a half furlongs in September.

The Mark Casse-trained Gretzky the Great is looking to become the first Canadian-bred winner of this race and has been in prolific form at Woodbine with three wins in a row.

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