Can Bob Baffert join D Wayne Lukas among the Breeders' Cup Juvenile kings?

Friday: 11.50 Del Mar
TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (Grade 1) | 1m½f | 2yo colts and geldings | ITV4/RTV/Sky

Bob Baffert saddles three in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile as he bids to equal D Wayne Lukas as the most successful trainer in the race.

Game Winner's 2018 success gave Baffert his fourth win in the Juvenile and, despite being allotted the widest stall (gate 12), Corniche looks his best chance of notching a record-equalling fifth victory.

Mike Smith, who rode Baffert's 2002 Juvenile winner Vindication, has partnered the $1.5 million purchase to victories at Del Mar and Santa Anita. His most recent win came in all-the-way fashion in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes over this trip.

Pinehurst, who has recorded two victories at Del Mar, is another unbeaten runner for Baffert. He drew away impressively to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last time, could benefit from a step up in trip and may have been overlooked in the market.

Barossa is the trainer's least likely winner according to the market, but he has improved on the figures with each of his three starts and the value of that experience should not be underestimated.

Short-priced favourite Jack Christopher was a late scratching due to a minor injury.
Race analysis by Owen Goulding

What they say

Mark Casse, trainer of Pappacap
He's trained really well over this track. I think he got a good post and some of the others didn't draw well; sometimes it's not just how well your horse draws but how others draw. I think the favourites will have some decisions to make and it won't be easy sailing.

Dale Romans, trainer of Giant Game
This is a very good horse. It's an unpredictable race and when you have a horse doing as well as he's doing he deserves to take his chance.

Bob Baffert, trainer of Barossa, Pinehurst and Corniche
Pinehurst and Corniche both like this racing surface. I wanted to bring Pinehurst into this race fresh after his Futurity win. The distance is the question with him. Corniche is a really nice colt. His last race [the American Pharoah] set him up nicely. Barossa has got a little more of a foundation with three races. I liked his win around two turns, so we're taking a little chance with him in this race.
Reporting by Richard Forristal at Del Mar

Read more on day one of the Breeders' Cup

9.50 Del Mar: 'I chose the wrong race in England' - Wesley Ward's warning to Euro hopefuls

10.30 Del Mar: 'She's in excellent shape' - unbeaten Echo Zulu out to justify hot favouritism

11.10 Del Mar: Strong European contingent hold solid claims in open-looking contest

12.30 Del Mar: Charlie Appleby bullish about Modern Games - and rightly so

Download the free Racing Post app for cards, form, tips, in-app betting and to watch live races. Download for free at racingpost.com/mobile or search Racing Post app