Newmarket: Isabella Giles takes Rockfel Stales; runner-up Nazuna possible for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Isabella Giles won the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes by two lengths on Friday at Newmarket, but while the race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, it’s runner-up Nazuna who might be the more likely runner in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf in November at Keeneland.

Isabella Giles earned automatic fees-paid entry in the Juvenile Fillies Turf with her comfortable win over a straight seven furlongs on a course rated good Friday, but trainer Clive Cox suggested to overseas racing media that the Fillies Mile might be on Isabella Giles’ agenda with further focus on 2021 races.

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Isabella Giles, by Belardo out of Majestic Dubawi, by Dubawi, raced prominently from the start under Adam Kirby and never really was threatened while winning for the fourth time in five starts. Nazuna finished well clear of third-place Alba Rose as heavily favored Monday struggled home a distant fourth. Roger Varian trains Nazuna and afterward mentioned the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf as an option for the daughter of Kodiac.

Later on the Friday card at Newmarket, Kameko notched a half-length victory over Regal Reality and Benbatl in the Group 2 Joel Stakes. Kameko won for the first time since he captured the 1000 Guineas going this same straight-mile trip at Newmarket last spring while prepping for a start in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.