Just Wonderful earns BC Juvenile Fillies Turf berth with Rockfel win

Just Wonderful won her second group stakes in her last three starts, and largely erased the disappointment of a recent seventh-place finish at that level, with a win in Friday’s Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in England.

Just Wonderful earned a fees-paid berth for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2 with the win. She is trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has never won the Juvenile Fillies Turf but has finished second twice.

Just Wonderful (7-2) won the $130,300 Rockfel Stakes at seven furlongs on a straightaway turf course by 1 3/4 lengths over 12-1 Dandhu. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Just Wonderful raced in the middle of a field of nine until the final quarter-mile when she moved closer to pacesetter Main Edition, the 15-8 favorite. Just Wonderful took the lead with a furlong remaining.

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Main Edition finished third, beaten 3 1/4 lengths.

Just Wonderful, a Kentucky-bred filly by Dansili, races for the Coolmore syndicate and has won 3 of 6 starts. Just Wonderful won the Group 3 Flame of Tara Irish EBF Stakes at a mile at The Curragh on Sept. 1, but was only seventh in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at seven furlongs on Sept. 16.

After Saturday’s win, British bookmakers rated Just Wonderful as a 12-1 chance for the English 1000 Guineas in May. She is as low as 7-2 in the future-book for the Juvenile Fillies Turf.