2021 Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf: War Like Goddess, Going to Vegas, Dogtag put in final works
DEL MAR, Calif. - War Like Goddess, Going to Vegas, and Dogtag, three of the five U.S.-based females pointing to Saturday’s $2 million Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar, all put in their final workouts for the race Sunday morning.
War Like Goddess, the potential favorite for the 1 3/8-mile race, worked a half-mile in 48.02 seconds over Del Mar’s main track, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch, getting her last quarter in 24 flat. Though the turf course was open for training Sunday morning, trainer Bill Mott felt content to work her on the dirt.
“I never had much of a problem working my grass horses on the dirt if you have a good racetrack,” Mott said. “It looks like it’s plenty forgiving. Frankly, I think a lot of times, they come back as well off the dirt as they do off the grass. That’s what I’m concerned about now, just getting some exercise in them and making sure they come back good."
Mott noted that War Like Goddess, winner of four consecutive graded stakes, worked on the turf at Saratoga on Oct. 22 in company with Casa Creed, a BC Mile contender who on Sunday worked a half-mile on dirt in 47.45, per Welsch’s watch.
Dogtag, who has four seconds and a third from five starts this year for trainer Richard Mandella, worked a sharp five furlongs in 58.64 seconds per Welsch, who had her in splits of 23.18, and 34.59, with a final quarter in 24.05. Dogtag worked in company with Bombard, whom Mandella is hoping to run in the Turf Sprint, but needs one defection to get in.
“She’s always been a good workhorse,” Mandella said of Dogtag. “It’s Breeders’ Cup time, take the training wheels off.”
Going to Vegas, who has a three-race winning streak including a Grade 1 win in the Rodeo Drive last out, worked a half-mile over Del Mar’s turf course in 49.29, per Welsch. She went in splits of 24.59 seconds and 24.70.
“Typical Vegas work,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “She was under a stranglehold the whole way. Came back good, scoped good. We’re ready to go.”
Loves Only You, the Japanese-bred and -based runner for this race, galloped once around the Del Mar turf course. She will have a timed workout on Tuesday.
My Sister Nat and Pocket Square, the two Chad Brown-trained mares for this race, were part of the large contingent of horses who left Newark, N.J. on Sunday morning on a Federal Express flight and were scheduled to arrive in San Diego on Sunday afternoon.
European contenders Audarya, last year’s Filly and Mare Turf winner, Rougir, Love, Acanella, Queen Supreme, Ocean Road, have all arrived and should get out of quarantine by Tuesday.
Aidan O’Brien, the trainer of Love, did not ship Filly and Mare Turf pre-entrant La Joconde for the race.
Tarnawa and Teona also arrived, but are expected to be entered Monday in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
There was one defection from the Filly and Mare Turf as Reina de Mollendo, who won an automatic qualifier to this race in Peru in June, was withdrawn from consideration after going off her feed, trainer Ken McPeek said Sunday.
Thus, the Filly and Mare Turf should go with a field of 12 when entries close and post positions are drawn on Monday.