2016 Claiborne Breeders Futurity Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky will be the scene of the G1 Claiborne Breeders Futurity on Saturday, October 8. Some of the best two year olds in the land will take to Keeneland's dirt track and race 1 1/16 miles searching for the winner's portion of the $500,000 purse.

12 juveniles have been confirmed for the Breeders' Futurity - race 8 on Keeneland's stacked Saturday card. Post time is 5:10 PM. Let's take a glance into the past performances of all 12 combatants for this G1 stakes - a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

2016 Claiborne Breeders Futurity Race Preview at Keeneland Race Course

Classic Empire 5-2 - Mark Casse trained colt had been very good in his first two career starts - two wins. Last time out was a very disappointing DNF as favorite after losing his rider in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga September 5. That result followed a win in the G3 Bashford Manor Stakes with an impressive 105 Beyer Speed Figure July 2 and a maiden score at first asking May 4 - both results at Churchill Downs. Classic Empire is one of three graded stakes winners in the field and will try for a huge bounce back from post 11. Julien Leparoux has the mount on the tepid morning line favorite.

Gunnevera 4-1 - has two wins and a second place finish in four career starts for trainer Antonio Sano. He opened some eyes last time out with a good win in the G2 Saratoga Special August 14 after he broke maiden July 16 in his third career start. Before his nice streak he finished fourth in the minor Birdonthewire Stakes July 2 and posted a second in his debut June 10. Gunnevera tries for his second straight graded stakes win Saturday and third straight win overall and will have Jesus Rios in the irons of the morning line second choice from gate 2.

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Bitumen 9-2 - Eddie Keneally trained colt was impressive in his first two races- two wins including a 1 3/4 length win in his graded stakes debut - the G3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga July 23 and a maiden score at Churchill Downs June 30. He stumbled a bit last time out finishing fourth after posting some bullet moves prior to the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga September 5. Bitumen looks for a strong bounce back Saturday and for his second graded stakes score from the rail with Corey Lanerie in the saddle of the third betting choice.

Holiday Bonus 8-1 - Graham Motion trained colt broke maiden at first asking - at Laurel Park August 7 and looked OK in his only other career starts which resulted in a runner-up finish in the minor Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park September 4. Holiday Bonus has been competitive every time out and hopes to continue that trend from post 7 Saturday with Jose Ortiz in the reins.

Singing Bullet 8-1 - has just one career start for trainer Dale Romans and it was a good one - a maiden score at Ellis Park September 2. He looks for two straight wins in his major step up in competition from post 3 Saturday. Jose Lezcano rides.

Lookin at Lee 10-1 - impressive Steve Asmussen trained colt finished fifth in his debut but has looked very good in three starts since. Last time out was a respectable second in the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs September 17 which followed a good win in the minor Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes August 8 and a maiden score on that track July 22. Lookin at Lee has been competitive lately and is expected to be so again on Saturday. Ricardo Santana will be in the irons.

No Dozing 12-1 - Arnold Delacour trained colt has two career starts and two nice wins. He makes his stakes debut Saturday off an Allowance Optional Claiming score at Laurel Park September 10 and a maiden score at first asking - at Delaware Park August 20. No Dozing hasn't been touched yet and hopes to keep the streak going from post 9. Joe Bravo rides.

Blame Will 12-1 - D Wayne Lukas trained colt has a win a d a third place finish in four career starts. He finished third in a MSW three starts back at Saratoga August 6 and went on to a maiden score on that track two weeks later. Last time out was an OK step up into stakes company - a third in the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs September 17. Blame Will has been inconsistent so far and will be after a career-defining win from gate 6 Saturday. Robby Albarado has the mount.

Honor Thy Father 15-1 - has four career starts for trainer Kenneth McPeek with a win and a third place finish to show for it. He stepped into graded stakes company for the first time September 17 and finished fourth in the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs after an OK third in the minor Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes August 6 and a maiden score at Ellis Park in July. Honor Thy Father has been OK so far and will be after his first stakes score in his third try - from gate 10 with Calvin Borel guiding him.

Wild Shot 15-1 - has two career starts for trainer George Arnold with a win and a second place finish. His win came last time out at Churchill Downs September 18 after a second at Ellis Park in his debut August 20. Wild Shot has been OK so far and hopes for a statement win in his stakes debut - from gate 8 with Brian Joseph Hernandez in the irons.

Perro Rojo 20-1 - Nick Zito trained colt finished fourth in his debut at Saratoga August 13 and followed that with a maiden score in his only other career starts - at Delaware Park September 12. He has shown improvement for sure and will be out to make a statement in his stakes debut. Luis Saez has been tabbed to ride from gate 4.

Tiz Trevor 50-1 - finished sixth in his debut for trainer Jason Cook - at Ellis Park August 20 but posted a nice maiden score last time out in his only other start - also at Ellis Park September 2. Tiz Trevor looked OK last time out and hopes to build on that effort from post 5. Ty Kennedy gets the call.

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2016 Claiborne Breeders Futurity Entries & Odds

Race 8 on Keeneland's Saturday card with a Post Time of 5:10 PM.