2021 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Plenty of interest but few commitments from Europe
Garrett O’Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte’s U.S. operation, pretty well summed up the status of the field for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Asked about the possibility of running Pocket Square in the $2 million race, he said, “It’s in the discussion phase.”
There will plenty of discussions to be had here and abroad before the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf comes into clearer focus. Last weekend’s action in Europe may or may not have provided some new faces to the race when Rougir defeated Grand Glory by a nose in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera over a boggy Longchamp turf.
Audarya, last year’s Filly and Mare Turf winner, was fourth, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths, in the Prix de l’Opera. Trainer James Fanshawe wanted to give it another week before he decides if he wants to send Audarya back for another Breeders’ Cup try. He has the British Champions Stakes on Oct. 16 at Ascot as an option.
Trainer Cedric Rossi said after the Prix de l’Opera that the Breeders’ Cup could very well be next for Rougir.
“America should suit her and she goes on any ground, as all the good ones do,” he said.
Grand Glory, beaten a nose by Rougir, is possible for the Breeders’ Cup, pending further discussions with her owners.
Mother Earth finished second in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket last Saturday and is expected to represent Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore in the Filly and Mare Turf. They also have Snowfall and Love as possibilities. Snowfall was sixth in the Group 1 Arc de Triomphe. Love scratched out of that race because she came down with a temperature.
Acanella is a Juddmonte horse who won the Group 3 Snow Fairy Stakes at The Curragh in August. O’Rourke said his counterparts in England also are waiting to see what the competition looks like before making a decision with Pocket Square, who won the Grade 3 Athenia on Sept. 25 at Belmont.
“Obviously, the competition will decide if it’s worthwhile or not,” O’Rourke said. “It’s entirely dependent on what comes from overseas.”
Chad Brown, who trains Pocket Square, is likely to have at least one starter in the Filly and Mare Turf after My Sister Nat won last Sunday’s Grade 3 Waya Stakes. My Sister Nat is a half-sister to 2018 BC Filly and Mare Turf winner Sistercharlie.
Going to Vegas earned a fees-paid trip to the Filly and Mare Turf with a head victory over Luck in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita. Luck and third-place finisher Dogtag are both owned by LNJ Foxwoods. Jaime Roth, the J in that group, said no decision has been made whether Luck or Dogtag go on to the Breeders’ Cup.
The 3-year-old Going Global, another Southern California-based runner, is possible for the Breeders’ Cup.
War Like Goddess, the leader of the U.S. contingent, is expected to ship to California from New York on Oct. 26, trainer Bill Mott said.
Saturday’s Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland is the final Win and You’re In for the 1 3/8-mile Filly and Mare Turf, but since the First Lady is at a mile, it is not likely to produce a starter for the race.
– additional reporting by Jay Privman