Breeders' Cup Filly-Mare Turf: Final three preps this weekend

The last major stepping-stones toward the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf come this weekend at Keeneland, Woodbine, and Ascot in Britain.

The 3-year-old Seventh Heaven, considered one of the top European hopes for the Filly and Mare Turf, is entered in Saturday’s QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot, though as of Wednesday, trainer Aidan O’Brien had not decided whether she will run.

The winner of the Grade 1 Yorkshire Oaks in August, Seventh Heaven is at her best on firm ground. Conditions at Ascot are expected to be “good” – drier than in many recent years on Champions Day.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. on Saturday, 3-year-old fillies are showcased in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, one of the most prestigious races in the country for that division. Catch a Glimpse, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner, is the race headliner and is rematched against Time and Motion, the only filly to beat her, having edged her by a neck in the Grade 2 Lake Placid on Aug. 21 at Saratoga.

Norm Casse, assistant to his father, trainer Mark Casse, told Keeneland publicity he is excited to run Catch a Glimpse in the QE II.

“We expect her to bring her ‘A’ race on Saturday,” he said.

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Catch a Glimpse is perfect in two starts at Keeneland. In addition to winning the Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall, she won the Grade 3 Appalachian in April.

Catch a Glimpse has little margin for error against Time and Motion, who came within a half-length of catching her in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 9 before her upset in the Lake Placid.

Other notable entries in the QE II include Harmonizer, On Leave, and Irish raider Hawksmoor, though they likely would need breakthrough efforts to warrant a start against older mares in the Filly and Mare Turf.

Then on Sunday, the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor from Woodbine is on deck, and top to bottom, it ranks as one of the best grass races of the year for fillies and mares. Only last week’s Flower Bowl at Belmont, won by Lady Eli, the expected Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf favorite, arguably had more talent among its leading contenders.

A number of Europeans were expected to be entered in the E.P. Taylor, along with top U.S.-based runners Al’s Gal, Rainha Da Bateria, and Suffused.