Heeere's Johnny, Capital Partner Headline Pilgrim

Eleven juvenile turf runners are prepared to take a shot at graded glory Oct. 3 when they contest 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct Racetrack in the $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G2T). For most of the field, it will be their first attempt against winners. Two of the three that have faced winners before are Heeere's Johnny and Capital Partner (GB), who ran second and third, respectively, in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) over the same distance at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 28. Both colts were no match for pacesetting Final Score that day, but Heeere's Johnny showed great determination down the lane to surge by Capital Partner for the runner-up spot, beating him by 1 1/4 lengths. A son of Oscar Performance, Heeere's Johnny is still a maiden after three starts for trainer Raymond Handal and owners Magic Carpet Racing and Catherine Coyle. However, he's shown progression in his numbers, jumping from a 63 Equibase Speed Figure to an 86 in the With Anticipation. Victory for Klaravich Stables' Capital Partner would be a fifth in the race for trainer Chad Brown. The son of Kingman (GB) earned an 84 ESF when a beaten favorite that day, which ties him for the second highest in the field alongside Besilu Stables' Noble Dynasty. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Noble Dynasty is the lone runner with a win on the course, which he earned breaking his maiden by a nose at second asking Sept. 13 at Friday's distance. Bottas, Truman's Commander, and Repentless also earned an ESF in the 80s for their last-out maiden victories. The winner of the race will receive an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Oct. 31 through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. Outfielder Back in U.S. For Futurity Likewise, the winner of the $175,000 Futurity Stakes (G3T) two races earlier will receive the same Challenge Series rewards toward the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T). The 6-furlong contest over Aqueduct's outer turf drew eight entrants, including the speedy Outfielder. Racing for the partnership of Amo Racing USA, Two Eight Racing, and Wesley Ward—who also trains the son of Speightstown—Outfielder returns from a trip overseas where he finished a respectable fourth in France's Prix Morny (G1) Aug. 24. Prior to that, his career debut at Churchill Downs over 5 furlongs was eye-catching as he dominated by 6 1/4 lengths. He has worked sharply since, recording a trio of breezes at Keeneland since returning home. He will race with blinkers off. "He came back in perfect shape and had some really nice breezes on the dirt here at Keeneland," Ward told New York Racing Association publicity. "I'm looking forward to getting him in the right spot—hopefully this is it." Ward also enters Longshoreman for For the People Racing Stable, John Haagsma, and James Cestaro. The Twirling Candy colt was a last-out fifth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes Aug. 31. Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Belgian was also eye-catching on debut when dominating an off-the-turf maiden race by 11 lengths Aug. 14 at Saratoga for trainer George Weaver. The son of Beau Liam now gets his first shot at the grass. Like he does in the Pilgrim, Mott trains the lone Futurity entrant with a win on the course in Stone Farm's Expressway. He won on debut by a neck over the same 6-furlong distance Sept. 13.