The final major preps for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies were held last weekend, with longshots taking both the Alcibiades and Frizette over rain-soaked tracks.
British shipper Peace and War paid $48.20 after rallying from far back to take a fast-early, slow-late running of the Alcibiades by a half-length, while By the Moon was prominent every step of the way while rolling to a 2 1/4-length victory in the Frizette. She paid $50.50.
ARCADIA, Calif. – The prospective field for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, already dominated by 3-year-olds, has gained another potential starter from that class in Candy Boy, who worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds Saturday at Santa Anita in his first drill since finishing third in the Pennsylvania Derby.
An eventful weekend gave further definition to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, with Leigh Court emerging as a major contender and Judy the Beauty and Sweet Reason being committed to the seven-furlong race by their connections.
The European contingent for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf strengthened on Sunday when Flintshire ran second to Treve in the $6.2 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
While Treve was retired Monday, Flintshire has emerged as the future-book favorite for the BC Turf, the richest turf race in the United States. Taghrooda, who finished third in the Arc, has been mentioned as an outside possibility for the BC Turf, with the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 18 a more likely possibility for her final career start.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The eighth and last Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event at the Keeneland fall meet will kick off the first five-day week of racing action when a field of nine 2-year-old fillies lines up Wednesday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Jessamine Stakes.
An action-packed Fall Stars opening weekend already gave expenses-paid berths to the 31st Breeders’ Cup to seven winners. The last one figures to come hard earned, given how well matched the Jessamine appears to shape up.
ARCADIA, Calif.- The last month of Her Emmynency’s career was geared toward her appearance in Sunday’s $101,750 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita.
Since Her Emmynency finished second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 30, trainer Mike Stidham has trained the filly with the intent of trying her on turf in the Surfer Girl. She worked well in September on turf, and handled the new surface with no difficulty on Sunday.
Stidham said that Her Emmynency will make her next start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile on Oct. 31.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Luck of the Kitten has been on the move throughout his career, but he it looks like he will be putting down roots in Southern California for the next month, because his victory in the $101,250 Zuma Beach Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita should earn him spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf for 2-year-olds on Oct. 31.
Luck of the Kitten had raced at Saratoga, Arlington Park, and Kentucky Downs, then was sent west by trainer Wesley Ward for the Zuma Beach. He responded by leading virtually from start to finish and now owns 2 wins and 2 seconds in 4 starts.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Don’t Tell Sophia rolled from last for a 2 1/2-length victory Sunday in the 59th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland while Close Hatches was defeated for the first time this year when laboring home fourth as the 1-5 favorite.
Ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., Don’t Tell Sophia returned $13.40 as second choice in a field of six fillies and mares. An objection against her for alleged stretch interference by Paco Lopez, who rode runner-up Ria Antonia, was disallowed by the stewards.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lawn Ranger got a great stalking trip behind a pair of longshot front-runners before seizing command approaching the furlong pole and holding sway down the stretch to pull a 12-1 upset Sunday in the Grade 3, $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes on the Keeneland turf.
