Breeders' Cup: Stephanie’s Kitten still targeting Juvenile Fillies Turf

Keeneland/Coady Photography

Stephanie's Kittten, with John Velazquez up, wins the Darley Alcibiades.

Even though the Alcibiades at Keeneland was meant as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, last week’s race ended up producing at least two potential starters for the Grade 2, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Stephanie’s Kitten won the Alcibiades and its fees-paid berth into the Juvenile Fillies, but she has long been a candidate for the Juvenile Fillies Turf and that race remains the plan for her, trainer Wayne Catalano said. He said the reason for the start in the Alcibiades, on Polytrack, was scheduling. The race fell six days before the turf prep, the Jessamine, that was to be run Thursday at Keeneland.

“It was about time,” Catalano said. “It gave me more time to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Stephanie’s Kitten won her maiden on turf and was a troubled third in the Natalma.

New Wave, who also is stakes-placed on turf, was an uncharacteristic eighth in the Alcibiades. While she has been ruled out of consideration for the Juvenile Fillies, she is still possible for a start in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, trainer Rusty Arnold said.

“It will be dependent on how she trains,” he said.

◗ Bourbonstreetgirl, who closed fast to win her maiden in a Saratoga turf route then ran third in the track’s P.G. Johnson, is being pointed to the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“She’s an up and comer,” trainer Gary Contessa said. “The question is ‘Will we get in on points?’ Right now, we’re on the cusp whether we get into this race. We’re definitely going to pre-enter, and we would certainly love to see her get into the Breeders’ Cup. I think she’s just coming to herself, and I love her racing style for that race.”

◗ Lyric of Light, a two-time group winner for Godolphin, will not start in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, according to the stable’s racing manager, Simon Crisford.