George Weaver Stable Tour

The New York-based trainer George Weaver has run nine horses in the Breeders’ Cup and is still seeking his first victory. He did claim a bronze medal spot in the 2024 Juvenile Turf Sprint with Governor Sam, who is one of his four runners in this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

CY FAIR (Juvenile Turf Sprint, 21.45 Friday)

This two-year-old daughter of Not This Time raced close to the pace winning her maiden before getting beat a neck in the Bolton Landing at Saratoga.

In the Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine, Cy Fair rallied from last to win that five-furlong race by 3 1-4 lengths.

“I never thought she was a need-the-lead type,” Weaver said. “All these horses are young horses, still learning. It was nice to see a different angle from her. Irad (Ortiz) I’m sure will watch her replays, we’ll talk. There should be plenty of speed in the race. She’s got a nice outside post to hopefully stay out of trouble. It’s just nice to know you have options.”

ROYAL TESTAMENT (Juvenile Turf Sprint, 21.45 Friday)

A two-year-old daughter of Midshipman won a maiden at Monmouth Park and then beat males in the Rosies Stakes at Colonial Downs. Another who showed a different dimension when, after bobbling at the break, came with a rally to get second in the Grade 3 Matron Stakes at Aqueduct.

“Royal Testament hasn’t done anything wrong, she’s right there,” Weaver said. “If somebody asked me, I’d say, well I think Cy Fair might be the better of the two, but it’s not 100 per cent. Royal Testament is very fast. If she wins, I’m not going to be 'how did that happen'.”

She does get a rider switch to reigning Eclipse champion Flavien Prat.

GOVERNOR SAM (Turf Sprint, 19.41 Saturday)

A three-year-old son of Improbable finished third in the Juvenile Turf Sprint a year ago. Though he’s only one win from six this year, he has a second and tow thirds inside his division and he did finish fourth, beaten just a half-length in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes going 5 1-2 furlongs at Keeneland in his first try versus older horses.

“He loved the course, the horse has put together a great resume this year,” Weaver said. 

“He’s a three-year-old running against olders. But we tested that water at Keeneland, I wasn’t that unhappy with it. We were only a half-length off. I was hoping to sit a little more and make a move. It seems like he’s got a timed run, but I think on this course which he ran well and the cutback to five-eighths, he’s got a real shot.”

DORTH VADER (Distaff, 21.01 Saturday)

This five-year-old daughter of Girvin won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps in Saratoga in June and two starts later came within a nose of upsetting Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, also at Saratoga.

“The filly’s going into the race really well, we feel like if she brings the race that she brought to Saratoga in the Ogden Phipps or the race she ran against Thorpedo Anna in the Personal Ensign she can be very tough,” Weaver said. 

“She’s training very well, she’s floated over the track since she got here. She had a nice work the other day, I know she has enough talent to win the race. We need some luck, we got the 12-hole.”