New Year’s Day Wins Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Becomes Early Derby Favorite

The Bob Baffert trained New Year’s Day rallied up the rail to score the upset in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), returning $23.00 for the win and became the early betting favorite for the 2014 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

The colt opened at 200-1 in betting odds released by Wynn Race & Sportsbook in Las Vegas last month, and his odds have now plummeted to 15-1.

The colt came into the Juvenile with just two starts under his belt, a third in his debut and then he broke his maiden in his second career start on Aug. 31 at Del Mar over polytrack.

The colt was headed to the Frontrunner (G1) at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 as his final prep, but skipped the race after spiking a fever.

The colt was a $425,000 Keeneland purchase, by Street Cry out of the Dixie Union mare Justwhistledixie, who was a multiple graded stakes winner.

New Year’s Day won by 1 ¼ lengths over the favorite Havana, who had come into the Juvenile undefeated in two starts. The colt won the Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park on Oct. 5 in his previous start.

Havana opened up at 100-1 at Wynn and is currently listed at 20-1.

The D. Wayne Lukas trained Strong Mandate, winner of the Hopeful (G1) and third in the Juvenile is listed at future betting odds of 30-1.

Baffert also started Tap It Rich in the Juvenile, the colt checking in fifth as the 3-1 second choice. The son of Tapit came into the Juvenile off just one career start, a good-looking maiden win in his debut over the Santa Anita main track on Oct. 12.

After his fifth in the Juvenile, the colt is currently listed at 20-1 in Derby future odds.

In the 30 years the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has been run, only one winner has won the Kentucky Derby the following spring. The “Juvenile Jinx” was halted by Street Sense, who won the 2006 Juvenile and then won the 2007 Run for the Roses.