Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Restless Rider gives McPeek big shot

Kentucky-based trainer Ken McPeek acknowledges that his 8 percent win rate with first-time starters is not great.

“I don’t make it a huge priority,” McPeek said. “I tend to progress horses along. I like to see them improve race to race.”

So, when a McPeek 2-year-old did the unexpected and won her debut by nearly three lengths this past spring at Churchill Downs, there was a chance she was special. Four months and four starts later, Restless Rider has emerged as a leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

A decisive victory under regular rider Brian Hernandez in the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Oct. 5 at Keeneland, her first route, stamped Restless Rider as a major player in the Juvenile Fillies along with Bellafina, Serengeti Empress, Jaywalk, and Sippican Harbor.

Restless Rider tipped herself early.

“She’s a really, really special filly,” McPeek said. “She is easy to be around, rateable. She certainly has all the qualities of a champion.”

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If it was not clear from her maiden win, it became evident three weeks later when she overcame a tough trip to win the $100,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs. Restless Rider steadied sharply and lost her momentum on the turn, dropped back, rerallied wide, and won by more than 11.

Restless Rider was the real deal, and McPeek had lofty goals. He gave the Distorted Humor filly the summer off.

“We backed off intentionally because I wanted a three-race series to bring her into the Breeders’ Cup,” he said. “We knew we had a filly that could go straight to Grade 1’s.”

Restless Rider returned Sept. 1 at Saratoga with a creditable second to Sippican Harbor in the Grade 1 Spinaway. It was the ideal comeback.

“It was a good race, and it propelled her to the next one,” McPeek said, referring to the Alcibiades. “We’ve got one more box to check.”

That applies to Restless Rider, and McPeek. A top trainer on the Midwest circuit, McPeek is 0 for 29 in the Breeders’ Cup.

“It’s kind of an odd stat for us,” McPeek said. “I’ve had a little frustration, second or third 14 times. At some point, it will be our turn.”

It could happen this fall.

“It would be nice to do it at Churchill Downs,” McPeek said. “She’s 2 for 2 there, so that hopefully will help our cause.”

◗ A small field is taking shape for the Juvenile Fillies. As of Wednesday, eight were aiming to the race – Bellafina, Serengeti Empress, Restless Rider, Jaywalk, Sippican Harbor, Vibrance, Reflect, and Splashy Kisses.

Jaywalk emerged with a front-running victory in the Grade 1 Frizette last Sunday at Belmont Park. Trained by John Servis, Jaywalk set fast fractions in the one-turn mile and won by nearly six lengths. The Frizette has produced 11 Juvenile Fillies winners, more than any other prep race.

Serengeti Empress and Bellafina resumed serious training this week. Serengeti Empress, the runaway winner of the Grade 2 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs, worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds on Tuesday at Churchill. Bellafina, the winner of three graded stakes in California and the Juvenile Fillies favorite, worked a half-mile in 49.40 on Monday at Santa Anita.

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