Sistercharlie in top form for BC Filly and Mare Turf repeat bid

ARCADIA, Calif. – The fan in trainer Chad Brown was looking forward to a match-up between his mare Sistercharlie and the top European-based filly Magical in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita.

The handicapper in Brown realizes Sistercharlie’s task became much easier when Magical was not entered – and was subsequently retired – due to a temperature. Now, Sistercharlie will be a prohibitive favorite to become the first female to win back-to-back runnings of the Filly and Mare Turf.

“There’s no doubt the race has changed without her in there, she’s formidable for sure,” Brown said Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. “I was looking forward to the matchup at a mile and a quarter as a fan myself, but it wasn’t to be.

“The race is still going to come down to trip, she’s still going to have to run a really good race, she’s going to have to run a top race to win,” Brown added. “There are some other nice fillies in the race but she appears to be coming into the race as good as she possibly can.”

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Sistercharlie, a 5-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie owned by Peter Brant, has won six consecutive Grade 1 stakes, starting with the Diana at Saratoga in July 2018. That streak includes a victory in last year’s Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill, a race in which she was coming off an 84-day layoff owing to a bruised foot.

This year, she enters off a narrow victory in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl over Mrs. Sippy four weeks ago. Sistercharlie only earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure after recording seven straight triple-digit Beyers. Brown said he’s just fine with that.

“I don’t have to worry about her bouncing off that race,” Brown said. “Really, the Flower Bowl was exactly the kind of race I wanted. I love how she’s coming into the race.”

While Sistercharlie is seeking her second straight Filly and Mare Turf, Brown is looking to win it for the fifth time in eight years.

Sistercharlie will break from post 2 under John Velazquez. She will not have her stablemate Thais in the race to ensure a legitimate pace. On Thursday, Thais was scratched by Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board, due to unsoundness.

Brown disagreed with that decision but noted that Thais missed the break in last year's Filly and Mare Turf and Sistercharlie still won.

The scratch of Thais could leave Mirth, front-running winner of the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive here Sept. 28, as the primary speed.

Vasilika and Mrs. Sippy are the only other North American-based horses in the field. Vasilika is 11 for 12 at Santa Anita in her career, including a victory in the 2018 Rodeo Drive at 1 1/4 miles. Vasilika will be saddled by Dan Ward, who is the listed trainer after the Breeders’ Cup upheld a ban of Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer instituted in June by The Stronach Group, owner of Santa Anita.

Though the majority of Vasilika’s wins have come at a mile, Ward believes longer distances are now better for the 5-year-old mare.

"It seems like that’s now too short for her,” Ward said. “I think a mile and a quarter is perfect. This is tough competition, but a lot of them haven’t run here.”

Mrs. Sippy came within three-quarters of a length of Sistercharlie in the Flower Bowl. She was 17 lengths out of it at one point. Trainer Graham Motion said Mrs. Sippy has had some difficulties at the gate, so he galloped her out of the gate at Fair Hill before shipping her cross country.

“That’s something I normally wouldn’t do,” Motion said. “Sometimes it takes these European horses a few times to get with the breaking thing. I don’t think she can put herself at a disadvantage with these fillies.”

Though Magical won’t be running, Aidan O’Brien will still be represented by Fleeting and Just Wonderful. Neither have won at 1 1/4 miles. Fleeting was second to Villa Marina in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Oct. 6.

Villa Marina, Castle Lady, Iridessa, and Fanny Logan are all European-based 3-year-olds trying to slay the mighty Sistercharlie.

Villa Marina has won her last three starts at 1 1/4 miles and trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias has previously said he feels she will handle Santa Anita’s firm turf.

Castle Lady will try 1 1/4 miles after running a solid second to Cambier Parc in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 12.

Iridessa is a Group 1 winner at 1 1/4 miles and is coming off a third to the 4-year-old Billesdon Brook in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Oct. 5. Billesdon Brook is also in this field.

Trainer John Gosden must always be respected when he ships in for the Breeders’ Cup. Saturday, he sends out Fanny Logan, who has won four consecutive races though has yet to face top quality competition.

“She’s getting better and better, we couldn’t be more pleased the way she’s come to the race here,” Gosden said Wednesday. “She’s bright, she’s happy. We’re perfectly aware that this is a jump in class, but I’m pleased the way she’s training. We have got the [outside] to overcome, which isn’t a bundle of help.”