Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf analysis
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLEMike Watchmaker
At first glance, DANK might not seem like the horse she was when she won this race last year, but take a second look at the competition she’s faced this season: The Fugue, Magician, and Treve in one start and Just a Way, who might be the best horse in the world, in the other. Dank hasn’t been out since June but won last year off an August layoff and is in the best of hands. SECRET GESTURE was a creditable third in a Group 1 most recently, and solid efforts two and three back suggest she might like the firm California going. STEPHANIE’S KITTEN broke through with her first 10-furlong win in the Flower Bowl last time out after fine seconds in her prior two starts. She’s the best American hope but is meeting much tougher here. ABACO was a game second in the Flower Bowl, is consistent, and might be overlooked in the betting.
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Byron King
JUST THE JUDGE won the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor on Oct. 19 at Woodbine, and though she returns quickly on 13 days’ rest, she was freshened after a third in the Beverly D. and may have enough left in the tank for another strong effort. DAYATTHESPA is likely to get bet down from her 8-1 morning line by bettors seeing her as lone speed. She is fast, having run a pair of Beyer Speed Figures in the 100s in her last couple of races, but is untested beyond 1 1/8 miles. The late-running STEPHANIE’S KITTEN has returned to top form this summer and fall. Second in the Beverly D., she just won the Flower Bowl, the top North American prep for the Filly and Mare Turf. DANK won this race last year, along with the Beverly D., but has raced just twice this year and disappointed in both outings. She has been off since the summer after missing time with lameness following a distant loss at Royal Ascot.
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Brad Free
A mile and a quarter is a long way for DAYATHTHESPA to go in the Filly and Mare Turf, but at 8-1, she is worth a gamble. Her reputation is that of a miler, but she won the two longest races (1 1/8 mile) of her career. Both were graded stakes. She is likely to make the lead, the first eighth-mile of this race is downhill, and if she can coast unchallenged maybe she can kick away and run them off their feet. Otherwise, her Chad Brown-trained stablemate could be along in time. STEPHANIE'S KITTEN finally caught a good trip last time and rolled in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl. She was unlucky in her previous starts. Distance is not an issue for 'Kitten.' She is a legitimate contender from off the pace. PARRANDA is the knockout. Runner-up in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive, she should fall into a perfect trip sitting second behind the top choice. If the pacesetter weakens, then Parranda would get first run. She could be contending for the lead at the top of the lane. Never a bad place to be at 20-1, even if she does seem slightly outclassed. DANK is favored everywhere, despite running two subpar races this season. Last year's Filly and Mare Turf winner is getting too much respect in international betting markets to dismiss.
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