Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Two candidates will run in Arc Sunday
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As of Wednesday, the field for the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe still included two candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf – Diamond Necklace and Friendly Soul.
Diamond Necklace, in fact, is the early Filly and Mare Turf favorite on David Aragona’s line for Daily Racing Form. The 3-year-old filly, who would suit the Filly and Mare Turf’s 1 3/16-mile trip, won her first six starts, including four Group 1s, and easily defeated 5-year-old Friendly Soul while facing older foes for the first time in the Group 1 Nassau.
Diamond Necklace took her first defeat Aug. 23 in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, beaten two lengths by Aventure, an excellent 5-year-old who campaigns for Breeders’ Cup regulars Alain and Gerard Wertheimer. Aventure races Sunday at Longchamp in the Prix de l’Opera before coming to America.
Three-year-old France-based filly Pink Panthera also runs in the Opera and has been mentioned as a Filly and Mare Turf candidate.
Trainer Chad Brown has won the Filly and Mare Turf a record four times and has three candidates this year. Segesta races Saturday at Keeneland in the First Lady, while Kathynmarissa and Cathedral were to start Thursday at Belmont in the Flower Bowl.
Gimme a Nother, winner of the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor last out, runs in the Filly and Mare Turf, as does Kentucky Downs specialist Stellify. Other American-based horses listed by Breeders’ Cup as potential participants are May Day Ready, Medoro, and Thought Process.
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