The 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) has been overshadowed by setbacks, with winner Ted Noffey and runner-up Mr. A. P. both sidelined, maintaining the long-standing trend that Juvenile winners rarely succeed in the Kentucky Derby. The race featured the smallest field ever due to scratches and a smaller foal crop compared to past years. Other notable contenders like Brant and Litmus Test have had limited or delayed preparations, while scratched horses Civil Liberty and Blackout Time have resumed workouts after time off. Intrepido, despite a poor start in the Juvenile, has shown strong form since and is preparing for upcoming key races like the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, which offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

Separately, Gulfstream Park’s January 31 card honors historic horses Holy Bull and Swale, and features the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies. Forward Gal, the 1970 2-year-old filly champion, was known for her toughness and consistency, winning multiple major stakes races under breeder Butch Savin and trainer Jimmy Croll. Despite her impressive record, she never entered the Hall of Fame, making the stakes race a fitting tribute to her legacy.