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Breeders’ Cup Spots on the Line at Churchill Downs

Pocahontas Stakes and Iroquois Stakes

A spot in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is up for grabs in two stakes races at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

The Pocahontas Stakes and Iroquois Stakes headline the card, and there are numerous winning chances in both Breeders’ Cup qualifying races.

Medina Spirit, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

The likes of Hidden Connection and Goddess of Fire have entered the Pocahontas, whereas Stellar Tap, Major General and Roger McQueen headline the Iroquois Stakes.

Horse racing betting is available for the feature racing out of Churchill Downs.

Hidden Connection Headlines Pocahontas

It’s always hard to decipher 2-year-old form, but Hidden Connection looks to have a fair amount of ability.

The daughter of Connect scored an impressive win on debut at Colonial Downs when beating Ocean Size. She ran 1:02.21 for 5½ furlongs, which is a quick enough time to get excited about.

The Bret Calhoun-trained runner scored by 7½ lengths and the $85,000 sales purchase looks set to get her connections their money back in quick time.

She looked to have an excellent action, which is always useful when taking on age-group opposition. The progeny of first season sire Connect are running well, so that bodes well for Hidden Connection’s future.

A danger to Hidden Connection is Ontheonesandtwos, who has experience in much harder fields.

5 Furlongs | :57.67 pic.twitter.com/hzT3QzM9XZ

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 13, 2021

The Norm Casse-trained filly won on debut at Churchill Downs before finishing second behind Behave Virginia in the Debutante Stakes. Connections were confident as they lined her up in the Grade II Adirondack, where she finished sixth behind Wicked Halo.

Casse was complimentary of her following the debut win.

“I think he probably ran the better race in his debut of the three. He got away from the gate poorly, rushed up on the rail and put away a horse that has run twice,” Casse told The Paulick Report.

“She’s a little bit different than Glacial (stablemate). She’s really forward and aggressive in her gallops. She’s a sweetheart in the barn but on the racetrack she’s down to business.”

Another winning contender in the Pocahontas Stakes is Goddess of Fire, who won on debut at Saratoga. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly didn’t run an exceptional time over 6½ furlongs, but she was professional in the victory.

Like most Pletcher-trained juveniles, bettors should look to the sportsbook for a betting guide. She could attract plenty of attention on race day, and we wouldn’t rule out any runner from this stable.

Roger McQueen Shooting for Threepeat

The Iroquois Stakes is packed with talented types, including Roger McQueen, who is shooting for three consecutive wins.

He ran third on debut at Churchill Downs before winning at Ellis Park. He landed another win at Ellis Park in the Ellis Park Juvenile, and we expect that form to stack up nicely on Saturday.

The son of Unified has run quick times throughout his career, including running 0:57.94 for five furlongs two starts back.

Bet online markets are likely to frame an even betting field, which should include Saratoga maiden winner Stellar Tap. He scored a professional win over seven furlongs, and he’s in the Steven Asmussen stables, which is always a bonus.

The son of Tapit could have a bright future, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see big bets come for the two-year-old colt.

Another debut Saratoga winner is Major General, who ran 1:16.69 for the 6½ furlong journey. It’s a smart time for a debutante who should mature into a handy colt.

The Pletcher-trained son of Constitution should be well-fancied with bookmakers, so keep an eye on late betting moves.

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