2021 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Going to Vegas will feel right at home
Richard Baltas hopes the combination of a filly on the improve and a home-course advantage can help Going to Vegas be a player in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at 1 3/8 miles on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
Going to Vegas, a 4-year-old daughter of Goldencents, has established herself as the top older female on turf in Southern California with triumphs in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 4 and the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.
Including an allowance race on July 16, Going to Vegas has won her last two starts at Del Mar.
“That doesn’t hurt,” Baltas said of having success where the Breeders’ Cup will be held. “I think she’s getting better and better, and she has that tactical speed where she doesn’t need the lead but she can still lay close. I think a mile and three-eighths is right up her alley.”
In the Rodeo Drive, which Going to Vegas won while racing on the lead, she held off stablemate Luck, who was coming out of a first-level allowance win in her only other start in the U.S. Baltas said he wasn’t sure if Luck would run in the Filly and Mare Turf or be pointed to a different race. Luck is owned by L N J Foxwoods, which also owns Dogtag, third in the Rodeo Drive. Trainer Richard Mandella confirmed earlier this week that Dogtag would run in the Filly and Mare Turf.
Overall, Going to Vegas is 4 for 6 this year and has finished first or second in 15 of 22 career starts.
“I’m pretty happy with the way she’s doing,” Baltas said. “Obviously, you got to worry about the Europeans.”
The European contingent remains in flux. Audarya, last year’s Filly and Mare Turf winner who was fourth in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Oct. 3, is still under consideration for a trip to Del Mar, but trainer James Fanshawe said he wouldn’t make a decision until next week at the earliest.
“She’s recovered well from the Prix de l’Opera, she’s in good form,” Fanshawe said. “Obviously, we’d love to come for the Breeders’ Cup again, defend our crown, but I want to be 100 percent happy before we make the final decision.”
Grand Glory, beaten a nose by Rougir in the Prix de l’Opera, is no longer under consideration for the Filly and Mare Turf, according to her connections. The fall focus for her will be the Japan Cup.
Speaking of Japan, the Japanese-bred Loves Only You, a Group 1 winner at Sha Tin in Hong Kong and third, beaten a half-length by Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic, is being considered for either the Filly and Mare Turf or the Turf.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Snowfall is expected to run Saturday against males in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Love, who could also run in that race or against females, and Mother Earth are also Filly and Mare candidates for O’Brien.