Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Versatility a plus for Pleasant Passage
The versatile styles that Pleasant Passage displayed by winning her first two starts on turf in New York could prove to be a tremendous asset in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 4 at Keeneland.
Pleasant Passage closed from fifth of eight to win a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 21 at Saratoga. In the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes at the Belmont at the Big A meeting on Oct. 1, Pleasant Passage led throughout the $200,000 race at 1 1/16 miles to win by three-quarters of a length.
In the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile, trainer Shug McGaughey expects Pleasant Passage to be handy for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I think she’ll be a little bit off the pace,” he said earlier this week. In the Miss Grillo, “she broke good and she found herself out there. The course had been playing speed.”
Pleasant Passage, by More Than Ready, races for owner and breeder Emory Hamilton and will be part of an expected big field in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Her ability to race off the pace could be vital. A solid pace could materialize in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Showgirl Lynne B, a minor stakes winner at Gulfstream Park, will be prominent, if she gains a berth in the field.
Delight won the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf Oct. 7 at Keeneland from the front, even though she set a moderate pace. Trained by Jonathan Thomas, Delight pulled clear to win by five lengths.
Basil Martini will have her American debut in the Juvenile Fillies Turf for trainer Joseph O’Brien of Ireland. By Starspangledbanner, Basil Martini won for the first time in her fifth start in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes on a yielding course at The Curragh in Ireland on Sept. 25.
“She won very well,” O’Brien said. “She led all the way. That’s the way she won that race. She doesn’t have to be on the lead.”
Discussions on race tactics can wait regarding the fillies Knockyoursocksoff and Bling, who were second and third in the Jessamine. Their trainers – Chris Block and Vicky Oliver – are hoping for now that the fillies can take part in a race that often draws a large number of pre-entries. The race is limited to 14 starters.
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Knockyoursocksoff overcame a poor start to finish five lengths behind Delight in her stakes debut in the Jessamine.
Bling stalked the pace and was beaten 5 1/4 lengths. From Oliver’s perspective, the loss was progress since Bling missed training time in September.
“Unfortunately, I had a hiccup at Kentucky Downs and was a little bit short,” she said. “I lost a couple of works. She had a cut on a leg and I had to address that.
“I would like to go if I can get in,” she said of the Juvenile Fillies Turf. “That’s my goal.”
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