Perfect Shirl pulled off a 25-1 upset in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, holding off several late challenges to win by half a length.
Under John Velazquez, the four-year-old daughter of Perfect Soul settled along the inside in seventh or eighth early on as Dubawi Heights and Dynaslew set the early pace. Stacelita was tucked into third place along the rail, followed closely by Nahrain and Shared Account. Arune, Misty for Me, and Cambina trailed the field.
The field remained bunched through slow fractions of :25.44 and :51.07. Turning into the homestretch a host of horses made their runs for the lead. Nahrain was the first to pass Dubawi Heights, but Stacelita was hopeslessly buried in a pocket and unable to find racing room. Then Perfect Shirl made her bid for the lead and took over in deep stretch. Misty for Me and Distorted Legacy put in tremendous rallies on the far outside, but neither could catch the longshot. Trained by Roger Attfield, Perfect Shirl stopped the clock in 2:18.62. Nahrain held second in a three-way photo footage over Misty for Me, while Distorted Legacy finished fourth. Stacelita came home fifth, beaten less than a length in a tough beat.
-Keelerman
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