Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Bucho guaranteed spot in overflow field
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Buchu earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita with a splendid win in the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes on Oct. 6 at Keeneland.
It was the race prior to that, a comprehensive win in a maiden race on Sept. 23 at Churchill Downs, that gave trainer Phil Bauer and his client Rigney Racing the hope that Buchu could be a championship-caliber filly this year.
“It made more sense to try” the Breeders’ Cup after the maiden race, Bauer said Wednesday.
With the wins, Buchu joins a crowded list of contenders for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile. The race annually has a deep field, and this year’s projected group matches the recent past in numbers.
The Europeans Carla’s Way, Opera Singer, and Porta Fortuna have outstanding recent performances, as do American-based runners such as Austere, Hard to Justify, and She Feels Pretty.
Dreamfyre will start in the Juvenile Fillies Turf as an expected pacesetter following her front-running win in the Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. The Surfer Girl was Dreamfyre’s first start on turf and first race at a mile.
Buchu fits with the American team. She closed from fourth of 12 to win the maiden race at Churchill Downs by 4 3/4 lengths, and from last of 11 to win the Jessamine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles by 3 3/4 lengths.
The turf was rated firm at Churchill Downs and was good at Keeneland for the Jessamine.
“In her maiden at Churchill, I was impressed with the way she finished,” Bauer said. “I didn’t know if she would appreciate softer turf. I’m glad she’s handled everything.
“She’s finished both of those starts, and that’s the key.
“She’s come out it really well. She’s pretty proud of herself. She was bucking during her gallop this morning.”
Bauer, 38, had his first Breeders’ Cup runner at Keeneland in 2022, when Xigera finished last of 14 in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. He rates the loss as a learning experience.
“Last year was a bit of a punch in the face,” he said. “We couldn’t have run worse.
“From as bad as that was, we’ve learned to appreciate that you’re part of it. You’ve made it to the championship and that’s a feat in itself. We’ll try to enjoy it.”
The Juvenile Fillies Turf will be limited to 14 starters and is expected to draw a higher number of pre-entries later this month. The Juvenile Fillies Turf remains firmly in the plans for Pharoah’s Way and Crown Imperial, who were second and third in the Jessamine.
Crown Imperial won the Untapable Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 13 at Kentucky Downs and had her sixth start in the Jessamine. Pharoah’s Way had her stakes debut in her fourth start in the Jessamine.
Trainer Dale Romans expressed concern earlier this week that Pharoah’s Way could be omitted from the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“I think she’s one of the contenders,” he said.
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