Kathmanblu coming into BC Juvenile Fillies Turf off Jessamine score

Kathmanblu captured the final Win and You’re In race for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, the $150,000 Jessamine Stakes on Oct. 14 at Keeneland, with an eye-catching rally under Julien Leparoux.

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Kathmanblu raced well off a lively pace in the 1 1/16-mile turf event before commencing a four-wide bid on the far turn. She entered the stretch six wide and then hit the front nearing the eighth pole before drawing off for a four-length win. Her time of 1:44.01 translated into a 78 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the same number she earned for finishing second in the P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga.

“I had a wide trip, but she was doing it easy,” Leparoux said. “When I got to the quarter pole, I waited. I didn’t want to get to the front too early. She was much the best. Hopefully, she’ll run good in the Breeders’ Cup.”

During a visit to Woodbine last weekend, trainer Ken McPeek said Kathmanblu has done well since the Jessamine.

“She came out of the race fine,” McPeek said. “She ran super. She seems to be improving.”

The Juvenile Fillies Turf is expected to attract the graded stakes winners Winter Memories and New Normal, along with the European runners Together, Tale Untold, and Quiet Oasis.