Sat Oct 27 14:54:55 2007

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile belongs to War Pass

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Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - War Pass, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, led every step of the way as the two-year-old captured the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile for colts and geldings. The time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42 3/5 on a sloppy track.

Just as in the Juvenile Fillies race, War Pass took the lead out of the gate and proved that speed will be difficult to catch. Owned by Robert LaPenta, the colt won by five lengths over Pyro with Kodiak Kowboy third and Tale of Ekati fourth in the 11 horse field

Dixie Chatter and Slew's Tiznow were scratched from the race.

War Pass gives trainer Nick Zito his first win in the Juvenile. The victory was worth $1 million to increase the two-year-old's earnings to more than $1.3 million.

In the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, War Pass also defeated Pyro in a wire to wire effort. Velasquez has been aboard the last three starts.

The win puts War Pass into the position as the early favorite for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Street Sense is the only Juvenile winner to capture the Run for the Roses.

War Pass, the 2-1 favorite, paid $6.40, $3.80 and $2.80. Pyro returned $4.60 and $3.60, and Kodiak Kowboy paid $6.40 to show.