wachman pins faith on murtagh

David Wachman will leave the strategy up to Johnny Murtagh when Bushranger bids for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Saturday night.

The Middle Park winner has been handed a horrendous draw for the big two-year-old test, in stall 12 of 13.

But having Murtagh in the saddle is a massive plus, and trainer Wachman says the decisions he makes will be key to the colt's chances.

"It's Johnny's job to play it however it goes when the gates open," Wachman said. "He has to make the decisions as they come up."

Bushranger cantered on the main track at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning, and steps up to a mile and half a furlong for the first time on Saturday.

"It's easier for him to get the trip on a turning track," said Wachman. "I believe he'll stay, but you won't know until you try it. He indicates in his races and training that he wants to go farther. There's only one way to find out, though."

"It's also a new surface for him," the trainer said, "but he trotted and cantered around it this morning and seemed fine."

Wachman said he chose the Juvenile over the Juvenile Turf for Bushranger for several reasons.

"There wasn't much upside to run on turf," he said. "It's a valuable race, but not graded. He won two Group 1's at home, and a Group 1 win on Pro-Ride would make him a very valuable horse."