Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf: Vionnet to skip race

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dank arrived from Europe on Saturday, and the classy import, whose most recent start was a romping win in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington, is expected to be favored Nov. 2 in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita.

Meanwhile, a key defection softened the pace scenario for the East Coast-based Laughing. With the withdrawal of front-runner Vionnet, Laughing could be loose on the lead in the 1 1/4-mile race.

A field of 10 is expected for the Filly and Mare Turf, which will mark the first start for Dank since her 4 1/2-length win Aug. 17 at Arlington. Trained by Michael Stoute, Dank has won six of 11.

Laughing, whose four consecutive graded stakes wins on the East Coast include three in gate-to-wire fashion, benefits from the absence of California front-runner Vionnet.

Vionnet, third in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive behind Tiz Flirtatious and Marketing Mix, worked on turf Oct. 21, the same day she was pre-entered for the Filly and Mare Turf.

“I worked her the day we entered, and [the work] jarred her up,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ll wait for something else.”

Vionnet was nominated to the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes on Nov. 3, but Mandella said she would skip that race.

The only California workout Sunday for the Filly and Mare Turf was posted by Marketing Mix, the runner-up in this race last year. Marketing Mix, trained by Tom Proctor, worked five furlongs at Betfair Hollywood Park in 1:01.

The expected entrants for the Filly and Mare Turf, listed in approximate order of odds, are Dank, Tiz Flirtatious, Marketing Mix, Laughing, Alterite, Emollient, Kitten’s Dumplings, Romantica, Lady of Shamrock and Qushchi.

Pre-entrant The Fugue is expected to enter the $3 million Turf.