By Christie DeBernardis
A trio of juveniles who have already achieved graded stakes wins this term headline a full field for Saturday's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keenland, a “Win and You're In” event for the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) opened his account with 1 1/2-length graduation sprinting in the slop at Churchill May 4 and followed suit with a victory in that venue's GIII Bashford Manor S. July 2. Favored to make it three in a row in Saratoga's GI Hopeful S. Sept. 5, the bay wheeled at the start, dumping jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Trainer Mark Casse adds blinkers for this one and calls on rider Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for the colt's two wins.
Joseph Sutton's “TDN Rising Star” Bitumen (Mineshaft) looks to return to winning ways after suffering the first loss of his young career when fourth in the Hopeful. A dominant 6 3/4-length debut winner at Churchill June 30, the Eddie Kenneally trainee followed suit with a victory in Saratoga's GIII Sanford S. July 23.
Peacock Racing Stables' Gunnevera (Dialed In) checked in second behind undefeated, Breeders Cup-bound MSW Three Rules (Gone Astray) on debut at Gulfstream June 10 and was fourth to the rival next out in the Birdatthewire S. there July 2. Returning just two weeks later to break his maiden in Hallandale, the Antonio Sano pupil captured the GII Saratoga Special S. at odds of 9-1 last time Aug. 14 to become the first graded winner for his freshman sire (by Mineshaft).
Another runner of interest is Stronach Stable's Singing Bullet (Hard Spun), who receives Lasix for the first time in this test. The Dale Romans pupil donned cap and down with a decisive two-length score at Ellis in his career bow Sept. 2.
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