Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf looks ripe for Euro invader

The American cast pointed toward the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs is shaping up short of participants.

U.S.-campaigned horses comprise only five of the 13 leading prospects Daily Racing Form considers possible for the race, and of those, only Sistercharlie, Fourstar Crook, and longshot Mom’s On Strike seem more likely to run than not. The other two, Santa Monica and Vasilika, seem like only outside chances to compete.

The diminished American interest appears to be related to the Filly and Mare Turf being 1 3/8 miles this year, longer than its most-common distance of 1 1/4 miles, among other factors unique to each horse. Rodeo Drive winner Vasilika, for example, was not an original nominee to the Breeders’ Cup, and to become eligible would require a $100,000 fee.

“At this time, we’re leaning not to run,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Tuesday. “Just didn’t think it was the right race and at the right time.”

Hollendorfer, who owns her with partners, did not rule out the race entirely, leaving their options open until pre-entries are made Oct. 22. He said Vasilika would likely be withdrawn from the November sale at Keeneland, where she had been scheduled to sell Nov. 5. He said her entry in the sale was “in case something happens,” such as an injury.

Santa Monica is aimed for Saturday’s Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine, a race that her trainer, Chad Brown, was keener to focus on than the Breeders’ Cup when discussing the Filly and Mare Turf last week.

Among the foreigners, a talented cast is still anticipated, though Sea of Class, the Arc de Triomphe runner-up, was taken out of Breeders’ Cup consideration this week and deemed finished for the year. Chief among them is Wild Illusion, who won the Prix de l’Opera on the Arc undercard, a Win and You’re In qualifier for Filly and Mare Turf.

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Other Breeders’ Cup Challenge race winners last week included Fourstar Crook, who won the Flower Bowl at Belmont Park, notching her first Grade 1 victory, and A Raving Beauty, winner of the one-mile First Lady at Keeneland. A Raving Beauty is not expected in the Filly and Mare Turf, appearing ill suited to 1 3/8 miles. She is considered a Mile candidate by the Breeders’ Cup.

In addition to the E.P. Taylor, there is another Grade 1 race for turf fillies Saturday – the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. The race for 3-year-old fillies has played a minimal role as a Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf prep in recent years.

Next week’s action in Britain has the potential to generate more Breeders’ Cup interest with the Champions Day Filly and Mares Stakes, the QE II, and other British Champions Day races. Although Champions Day comes shortly before the Breeders’ Cup, it is not uncommon for a European to wheel back from it. Two years ago, Queen’s Trust won the Filly and Mare Turf after a third behind males in the British Champions Stakes.

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