Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Illuminate a surprise among 20 pre-entries

Since Maram won the inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2008, two European-based horses have won the one-mile race. Flotilla was the first in 2012, and Chriselliam won it in 2013.

Flotilla paid $24.80, and Chriselliam returned $15.80 on a $2 wager. Actually, the only favorite to win the Juvenile Fillies Turf was Lady Eli, who was nothing less than sensational last year. She paid $6.80.

There is a strong contingent coming from Europe this year, and heading the list of 20 pre-entries for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf on Oct. 30 at Keeneland is Illuminate, who is coming off a runner-up finish behind Lumiere in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Sept. 26. Lumiere is one of the top 2-year-old fillies in Europe, and Illuminate finished just a half-length behind her in the six-furlong dash contested over turf rated “good.”

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It was Illuminate’s first loss for trainer Richard Hannon. She was coming off wins in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. In her first start, she toyed with her opponents going five furlongs in an allowance race at Salisbury.

It was a bit surprising to see Illuminate entered. After the Cheveley Park, Hannon said he was going to put her away for the year.

“Illuminate traveled well, and she has run right up to her form,” Hannon said at the time. “She beat Besharah a neck at Newmarket, and now the superiority was a neck, but she just got leg-weary on the rising ground. That will be it for this season, but we still look at Illuminate as a 1000 Guineas filly, and she’ll have her prep race in the Fred Darling at Newbury in April.”

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Illuminate will not only be going a middle distance for the first time in the Juvenile Fillies Turf but will be negotiating a turn for the first time. She is versatile, though, and should be able to stalk what figures to be a fast pace. With her outstanding record, she figures to be either the favorite or second choice behind Grade 3 Jessamine Stakes winner Harmonize.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien is looking for his first win in the race and could get it with Alice Springs. The Irish-bred daughter of Galileo finished fourth in the Cheveley Park before romping in the restricted, $455,400 Tattersalls Millions 2-Year-Old Fillies’ Trophy at Newmarket on Oct. 3.

Last Waltz, third in the Group 3 Park Stakes at The Curragh on Sept. 27, could be dangerous while making her first start for trainer Chad Brown, who is looking for his third win in the race. He won with Maram and Lady Eli.

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