BC Juv. Fillies: See-saw battle tips toward Adieu

ELMONT, N.Y. - Adieu and Folklore have been so close this year that perhaps something as simple as post position could make the difference when the two meet for a fourth time in Saturday's $1,060,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park.

If that's the case, then the edge has to go to Adieu, who drew post 6 while Folklore drew the rail in the one-turn 1 1/16-mile race. A field of 10 was entered for the Juvenile Fillies after the race lost its fourth horse since pre-entries were announced one week ago. Keeneland Kat was not entered because of a virus, trainer Kelly Breen said.

Adieu has beaten Folklore in two of three meetings this year, including the Grade 2 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga, in which Adieu broke from post 7 and Folklore broke from the rail. Folklore came back to win the Grade 1 Matron Stakes by 14 lengths - a race in which Adieu did not run - when breaking from post 6 in the seven-horse field.

Many believe that breaking from the rail in a one-turn race at Belmont forces a jockey to use a horse's speed early to get a decent position. Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Adieu, said he would like jockey John Velazquez to be able to break and sit comfortably early, which is something she should be able to do from post 6.

"Six is perfect for her," Pletcher said. "We can see what everybody else is doing. I would much rather be there than where Folklore ended up."

D. Wayne Lukas, the trainer of Folklore, said he wasn't thrilled with his post, but he wasn't dismayed either. It's the fourth time in seven races that Folklore drew the rail, and she is 2 for 3 from that post.

"It's a long way to the turn, so I think we will be able to probably get wherever we want," said Lukas, who has won the Juvenile Fillies four times. "We have got good tactical speed, a very rateable filly. It probably wouldn't be the hole I would pick, but on the other hand I don't think it's probably as tough a thing to overcome as it would be on some of these other racetracks."

Wild Fit, the California-based filly who won the Del Mar Debutante but was upset in the Oak Leaf, drew post 10.

"Love it," trainer Jeff Mullins said. "You don't have to stand there that long and she's a little funny in the gate anyhow. Plus, you've got options."

Wild Fit had to be supplemented for a fee of $90,000.

The field

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Purse: $1,060,000; 1 1/16 miles; Grade 1

* All starters carry 119 pounds
* Track odds