Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Spanish Loveaffair confirms value in Jessamine
Not long after Spanish Loveaffair won her career debut by 11 lengths in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park in July, trainer and co-owner Mark Casse had a brief chat with partner Michael Hernon.
“It’s been fun being owners with you,” Casse recalled saying Wednesday. “We will not own her for her next start.”
By the time Spanish Loveaffair won her second start, in the Sharp Susan Stakes on Aug. 29 at Gulfstream Park, the ownership had changed. Hernon remained, but the Casse family’s share was acquired by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber.
Casse continues to train Spanish Loveaffair, a candidate for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.
“That was part of the package,” Casse said of the sale arrangement. “You get her and you’re stuck with me.”
Spanish Loveaffair was second in the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, finishing 2 1/2 lengths behind Aunt Pearl, a leading contender for the one-mile BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Spanish Loveaffair broke from post 10 in a field of 11 and was third for the first six furlongs.
Despite the loss, the Jessamine confirmed to Casse that the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf is a realistic target.
“Her first race was very good,” Casse said. “I thought she won the stakes comfortably, but you don’t know what you’re running against. I thought her last race was a validation of where she ranks in the 2-year-old filly population.”
The BC Juvenile Fillies Turf is always a popular race and could easily have a maximum field of 14 runners. Pre-entries are due Monday and will be announced Oct. 28. Casse said Tyler Gaffalione is booked to ride Spanish Loveaffair, who is by Karakontie and is a half-sister to Spanish Queen, winner of the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita in 2015.
Spanish Loveaffair is scheduled to have a workout on dirt Friday at Churchill Downs. Casse is not expecting a brisk time.
“She’s low maintenance, anyway,” he said. “She doesn’t do a lot. Her talent level is not great on the dirt. On grass, it’s a different story.”
Spanish Loveaffair is handy, racing from a stalking position. The style could be key if she has a wide post position in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“The Breeders’ Cup will be decided at the draw,” Casse said. “It’s imperative that you draw a good post. Our filly has some speed. I would say that she will be forwardly placed.”
Aside from Aunt Pearl, fillies such as Plum Ali, winner of the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes on Oct. 4 at Belmont Park; Madone, who won the Surfer Girl Stakes on Oct. 4 at Santa Anita; and the unbeaten Campanelle rank as leading domestic chances in what should be a competitive race.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien of Ireland is expected to start Mother Earth, who was eighth of 10 in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in England on Oct. 9 over soft turf.