Bottas (Vekoma), a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard at first asking at Saratoga and recent winner of the 'Win and You're In' GII Pilgrim Stakes at Aqueduct, breezed five furlongs Wednesday over the Oklahoma training track in 1:03.82 as he prepares for his next start in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
“Bottas worked very well. Controlled. Easy by design. Came back sound,” trainer Miguel Clement said of the work, completed in the company of a maiden. “He was moving very well. We are going to work him once more, then he is going to ship out. The plan is to work him next Wednesday, subject to weather. I'm very, very excited for him.”
Heeere's Johnny (Oscar Performance), who came running late to finish a close second in the Pilgrim, is also being pointed towards the Juvenile Turf despite the fact that he remains a maiden after four starts.
“We will get two works into him here [at Belmont Park], and then ship him out on the 26th,” trainer Ray Handal said. “He's getting better. He ran his race last time, Bottas ran huge and so did he. I think our colt will keep getting better with each start.”
G2 Pilgrim winner and G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hopeful BOTTAS worked just now (outside of a maiden) under the watchful eye of trainer Miguel Clement @clementstable. NYRA clockers caught him covering five furlongs in 1:03 and 4/5. pic.twitter.com/tIf1K3KMWg
— Mary Eddy🏇🏼 (@singmysongbird) October 15, 2025
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