Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Euros vs. U.S. horses
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The stage is set for an international showdown Saturday in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland after a full field of 12, plus a pair of also-eligibles, was drawn Monday.
Five European-based runners, topped by likely favorite Legatissimo, are matched against seven U.S.-based horses in the body of the race, including a trio of Chad Brown-trained U.S. runners in Dacita, Stephanie’s Kitten, and Watsdachances.
The other four Americans joining the Brown trio are Hard Not to Like, Photo Call, Sentiero Italia, and Sharla Rae.
Meanwhile, joining Legatissimo, a winner of two consecutive Group 1 races, from across the pond are Miss France, Queen’s Jewel, Secret Gesture, and Bawina.
The Filly and Mare Turf, contested at 1 3/16 miles for the first time this year due to the course configuration at Keeneland, is limited 12 starters, along with the Dirt Mile, though the latter race only drew 11 this year.
Although post position isn’t paramount like in the Dirt Mile, for instance, outside-drawn horses in the Filly and Mare Turf might be at a mild disadvantage due to the placement of the starting gate for 1 3/16-mile turf races at Keeneland – which begin on the tail end of the final turn of the race, shortly before the stretch.
For first two or three seconds of the race, horses on the outside might lose a small amount of ground before the field has a run of nearly five-sixteenths of a mile before hitting the first full turn.
Miss France, Bawina, Stephanie’s Kitten, and Secret Gesture drew worst from that perspective, getting posts 9-12.
Brown, who ran one-two in this race last year with Dayatthespa and Stephanie’s Kitten, seemingly has the best chance of the U.S. trainers to win the race. Not only does he have strength in numbers, but Dacita and Stephanie’s Kitten are also leading contenders.
The Filly and Mare Turf will be the sixth race at Keeneland on Saturday, with post time at 2:10 p.m. Eastern.
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Purse: $2 million; 1 3/16 miles on turf; Grade 1
PP, Horse, Jockey
1. Hard Not to Like, John Velazquez
2. Sentiero Italia, Joel Rosario
3. Legatissimo, Ryan Moore
4. Sharla Rae, Jose Lezcano
5. Photo Call, Drayden Van Dyke
6. Queen’s Jewel, Maxime Guyon
7. Watsdachances, Joe Bravo
8. Dacita, Javier Castellano
9. Miss France, Frankie Dettori
10. Bawina, Olivier Peslier
11. Stephanie’s Kitten, Irad Ortiz Jr.
12. Secret Gesture, Florent Geroux
13. (AE) Elektrum, Victor Espinoza
14. (AE) Talmada, William Buick