Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Only 12 will be allowed to run

Despite the presence of Legatissimo, one of Europe’s top 3-year-old fillies, in the $2 Million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, up to 20 horses may be pre-entered for the race on Monday. But because of the track configuration at Keeneland, only 12 will be allowed to run.

The Filly and Mare Turf will be contested at 1 3/16 miles on Keeneland’s 7 1/2-furlong turf course, and the race starts at the tail end of the course’s far turn. As a result, officials decided to limit the field to 12 instead of a full gate of 14.

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Reducing the field by two will leave the Breeders’ Cup selection committee with its work cut out in determining not only which horses make the race Oct. 31 but the order for drawing into the Filly and Mare Turf among alternates. The four Win and You’re In qualifiers pointing for the race are Legatissimo, Photo Call, Stephanie’s Kitten, and Watsdachances. They will be joined by two horses who get in with the most qualifying points earned in graded stakes races.

Of the horses under consideration for the race, Hard Not to Like (26) and Sentiero Italia (16) would gain entry on points, though Hard Not to Like has not been committed to the race by trainer Christophe Clement. Next in line is Sharla Rae with 14 points.

That leaves the selection committee to determine which remaining six make the field from perhaps as many as 14 other pre-entries.

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Dacita seems likely to be chosen, having beaten Breeders’ Cup Mile contender Tepin in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa in her lone start in the U.S. after being imported from Chile, where she was a Grade 1 winner.

But some Europeans have equally impressive accomplishments. Almost certain to be selected from Europe are Jazzi Top, the runner-up in the Prix de l’Opera, and Secret Gesture, who shipped to the U.S. for the Beverly D. at Arlington and crossed the wire first, only to be disqualified and placed third for interference.

The Europeans Miss France and Talmada are on the bubble.

Trainer Chad Brown holds the strongest hand among U.S. trainers in the race. He trains Stephanie’s Kitten, Watsdachances, and Dacita. He could potentially have a fourth pre-entry in Danza Cavallo, though she would need to be supplemented, and a final decision on her status has not been made, he said. She ran second behind Stephanie’s Kitten in the Flower Bowl.