2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Post Positions

Here are the post positions for the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I), to be run on November 1st at Santa Anita Park:

1 Nesso/Martin Garcia
2 Al Thakhira/Ryan Moore
3 Colonel Joan/Joe Talamo
4 Kitten Kaboodle/John Velazquez
5 Granny Mc's Kitten/Javier Castellano
6 Vorda/Oliver Peslier
7 Street Sailing/Alan Garcia
8 Chriselliam/Richard Hughes
9 Dancing House/Mike Smith
10 Clenor/Rafael Bejarano
11 Ready to Act/Joel Rosario
12 Testa Rossi/Jose Lezcano
13 Sky Painter/Luis Saez
14 My Conquestadory/Eurico Da Silva

-Keelerman

2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Pre-Entries

Here are the pre-entries for the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I), to be run on November 1st at Santa Anita Park:

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I)
Distance: 1 mile on turf
Post Time: 3:50 PM PDT

Al Thakhira
Chriselliam
Clenor
Colonel Joan
Dancing House
Flying Jib
Granny Mc's Kitten
Kitten Kaboodle
My Conquestadory
Nesso
Ready to Act
Ria Antonia
Rosalind
Sky Painter
Street Sailing
Testa Rossi
Vorda

Notes:
Dancing House has second preference in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Ria Antonia has first preference in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Rosalind has first preference in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
My Conquestadory has second preference in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Flotilla bursts clear in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

11-1 shot Flotilla, shipping in from France, showcased terrific turn-of-foot in the final furlong to win the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) on Friday at Santa Anita Park.

Ridden to victory by Christophe Lemaire, Flotilla was content to settle back in mid-pack early on as Tara From the Cape led the way through moderate fractions of :23.14, :47.39, and 1:11.16. Moonwalk, Flashy Ways, and Waterway Run were her closest pursuers, followed then by Watsdachances, Oscar Party, Spring Venture, Flotilla, Sky Lantern, Summer of Fun, The Gold Cheongsam, Nancy O, Kitten's Point, and Infanta Branca.

Turning for home, at least a half-dozen horses were in contention for the win, but that half-dozen was soon reduced to just too: Watsdachances and Flotilla. The two matched strides briefly at the sixteenth pole, and it appeared as though the finish would be close, but Flotilla found another gear in the final hundred yards and drew off late to win the race in convincing fashion. The final time was 1:34.64.

Summer of Fun rallied well for third, while Tara From the Cape rounded out the superfecta.

-Keelerman

Sustained scratched from Juvenile Fillies Turf

Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. III) runner-up Sustained has been scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) after showing signs of lameness.

The two-year-old daughter of War Front was off in her right foreleg, according to trainer Dale Romans. It is not a serious issue.

The scratch of Sustained will allowed Infanta Branca to draw into the race off of the also-eligibles list.

-Keelerman

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Post Positions

1 Kitten's Point/Rafael Bejarano

2 Summer of Fun/Ramon Dominguez

3 Sky Lantern/Richard Hughes

4 Flotilla/Christophe Lemaire

5 Spring Venture/Patrick Husbands

6 Watsdachances/Javier Castellano

7 Oscar Party/Kent Desormeaux

8 Tara From the Cape/John Velazquez

9 Nancy O/David Moran

10 Waterway Run/Frankie Dettori

11 Moonwalk/Corey Lanarie

12 The Gold Cheongsam/William Buick

13 Flashy Ways/Joe Talamo

14 Sustained/Joel Rosario

Also Eligibles

15 Infanta Branca/Ryan Moore

16 Moulin de Mougin/Corey Nakatani

-Keelerman

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Pre-Entries

Here are the pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I), to be run on November 2nd at Santa Anita Park.

Horse/Trainer
Flashy Ways/Richard Baltas
Flotilla/Mike Delzangles
Kitten's Point/Graham Motion
Moonwalk*/Dale Romans
Nancy O/Carolyn Costigan
Oscar Party/
Sky Lantern*/Richard Hannon
Spring Venture*/Mark Casse
Summer of Fun/George Weaver
Sustained/Dale Romans
Tara From the Cape/Todd Pletcher
The Gold Cheongsam/Jeremy Noseda
Waterway Run/Ralph Beckett
Watsdachances/Chad Brown
Also Eligibles
Infanta Branca/Aidan O'Brien
Renee's Queen/Eric Guillot
Manuka Honey/John Terranova
Moulin de Mougin/Richard Mandella

* denotes Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" winner

Renee's Queen has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies

Moonwalk stuns Jessamine foes at 36-1

36-1 shot Moonwalk pulled off a shocking upset in the $150,000 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (gr. III) on October 11th at Keeneland, gamely holding off challenges from several rivals to win the 1 1/16th miles turf race by a nose.

With Corey Lanerie abaord, Moonwalk broke well from gate four and soon found herself racing in second, about two lengths behind pace-setting Sunset Time, who rattled off slow fractions of :23.89 and :49.56 seconds. Summer of Fun, Oscar Party, Kitten's Point, Always Kitten, and Pappascat comprised the mid-pack runners, while Pure Fun, Hedonemewrongsong, Free Song, and Go Kitten Go trailed the field.

Coming off the final turn, Moonwalk moved up to challenge Sunset Time for the lead, but was beaten to it by Summer of Fun, who presented a good kick on the far outside to secure the advantage. But Moonwalk was not done yet, gamely finding another gear and poking her head in front. Then came a challenge from Kitten's Point, who was rallying powerfully on the outside and closing ground with every stride. In a dramatic finish, Moonwalk held on to win by the narrowest of margins over Kitten's Point, with Summer of Fun another head back in third while just a nose in front of Oscar Party. Sunset Time, Hedonemewrongsong, and Pure Fun rounded out the top seven -- all of them finishing within 1 1/4 lengths of the winner -- while Pappascat, Go Kitten Go, Always Kitten, and Free Song completed the order of finish.

The winner is trained by Dale Romans and owned by Spendthrift Farm. A daughter of Malibu Moon out of the Red Ransom mare Lucinda K, Moonwalk has now compiled a record of 2-1-1 from four starts, with earnings of $122,150.

-Keelerman

Flashy Ways much the best in Surfer Girl Stakes

7-1 shot Flashy Ways proved much the best in Monday's $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Park, coasting away to win the one-mile race by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:34.45 seconds.

With Joseph Talamo aboard, Flashy Ways broke well but was allowed to settle back into fifth place early on, five lengths behind pace-setting Upbeat Mood, who lead the field by about two lengths through fractions of :22.95 and :46.47 seconds. Bares Tripper and Truly Marie comprised the pace-tracking group, followed then by Egyptian Femme and the eventual winner. Wishing Gate and Somethingabouther were the trailers.

Upbeat Mood maintained her advantage through three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.47, but entering the homestretch, Flashy Ways unleashed a powerful turn-of-foot that carried her to a two-length lead passing the eighth pole. From there, the race was over, as Flashy Ways coasted through her final eighth in :11.86 to win the race by 2 1/2 decisive lengths.

Wishing Gate rallied well to be up for second, while Somethingabouther and Bares Tripper founded out the superfecta. Truly Marie, Upbeat Mood, and Egyptian Femme completed the order of finish.

The winner is trained by Richard Baltas and owned by Riley Racing Stable. A daughter of Catienus out of the Carson City mare Golden Kitty, Flashy Ways is now undefeated in two starts, having previously won a maiden claiming race at Del Mar. She has earned $81,600.

-Keelerman

Watsdachances earns BC berth in Miss Grillo Stakes

Heavily favored Watsdachances earned herself a fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) when she rallied for a convincing victory in the $150,000 Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. III) on Monday afternoon at Belmont Park.

Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano, Watsdachances was content to settle back into the seventh position in a field of ten as Manuka Honey sat a slow pace of :24.77 and :49.60. Buckingham Bull, Three Hearts, and Adriani were her closest pursuers, followed then by Sustained and Atlantic Dream. Fly Again, Effie Trinket, and Wave Theory were the early trailers.

Manuka Honey continued to lead through three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.79 seconds, and turning for home, he kicked away and opened up a two-length advantage. But then Watsdachances began to advance, splitting horses gamely and accelerating in good fashion to win by 2 1/4 lengths. The final time for 1 1/16th miles was 1:47.90.

Sustained rallied well to secure second despite exchanging bumps with Watsdachances at the top of the stretch and subsequently altering course. Manuka Honey held third in a decent effort. Fly Again, Wave Theory, Three Hearts, Buckingham Bull, Atlantic Dream, Effie Trinket, and Adriani completed the order of finish.

The winner is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Michael Kisber and Bradley Thoroughbreds. A daughter of Diamond Green out of the Entrepreneur mare High Finance, Watsdachances has now compiled an excellent record of 3-0-1 from 4 starts, with earnings of $164,582.

-Keelerman

BREEDERS' CUP COUNTDOWN -- October 8th, 2012

Two more "Win and You're In" races are on the Monday card at Belmont, with a total of seventeen two-year-old colts and fillies looking for fees-paid berths to either the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) or the Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I). Let's start handicapping!

Pilgrim Stakes (gr. III)

As I am writing this, three horses have been scratched -- Bernie the Jet and James Jingle, the two main-track only entrants, and Read the Proposal. This leaves us with a field of seven.

Favored on the morning line is Noble Tune, a Chad Brown-trainee that rallied for an eye-catching victory going 1 1/16th miles on the turf at Saratoga on the final day of the meeting. He looks like a colt that will improve a great deal in his second start, and Brown is a master at training turf horses. And of course, having Ramon Dominguez in the saddle doesn't hurt!

Cerro is the second choice off of a seven-furlong maiden win in Italy, after which he was purchased by Team Valor International and transferred to the barn of Graham Motion. He obviously has plenty of potential, being an Irish-bred son of Mr. Greeley out of a Giant's Causeway mare, and a victory would certainly not be a surprise.

Notacatbutallama broke his maiden second-time out by 6 1/2 lengths for trainer Todd Pletcher, then was beaten just three lengths in the With Anticipation Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga despite a less-than-stellar trip. In a race that doesn't appear to have a ton of pace, I can envision this speedy colt securing the early lead, setting a slow pace, and never looking back. Throw in the fact that the top two finishers in the With Anticipation -- Balance the Books and Joha -- and you start to wonder why Notacatbutallama isn't the favorite!

Also intriguing is Quinzieme Monarque, from the barn of Tom Albertrani. The son of Rock Hard Ten last his first two starts in sound fashion, but made a powerful run in his third and most recent start to win a 1 1/16th miles maiden special weight over the Belmont turf by 4 3/4 lengths. He seems to be coming into this race in good form, and while on the surface he may not possess quite the same turn-of-foot as Noble Tune, he did show a bit more versatility and tactical speed in his debut than Noble Tune did his; thus, Quinzieme Monarque may be up to pulling off a minor upset.

Making a selection isn't easy, as I can make a case for just about every horse in the field, but I feel that Noble Tune will emerge victorious in the end, his brilliant turn-of-foot being the key to victory. Notacatbutallama and Quinzieme Monarque also look like serious contenders, but I can't quite envision them getting the better of Noble Tune.

Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. III)

Trainer Chad Brown is well-represented here with Watsdachances, Atlantic Dream, and Wave Theory, who are the first, co-second, and co-fourth choices in a ten-horse field. The first-mentioned filly has by far the best credentials. After racing twice in Europe, she was transferred to the barn of Chad Brown and won the P.G. Johnson Stakes in her first U.S. start. Finishing second that day was Broken Spell, who returned to finish a good second in the Alcibiades Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, thus stamping Watsdachances as a very high-caliber filly indeed.

In contrast, Atlantic Dream and Wave Theory are both maidens, each having raced once and lost. Wave Theory has been a bit more impressive than her stablemate, showcasing a sharp rally in her debut to lose a 1 1/16th miles maiden race by just a neck. However, Atlantic Dream was beaten by some very good horses when fourth in her debut, including Summer Stakes (gr. II) fourth-place finisher Kitten's Dumplings and next-out Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes winner Oscar Party. So don't count Atlantic Dream and Wave Theory out of contention, even though their records imply that they are overmatched here.

Sustained displayed a good turn-of-foot to break her maiden impressively at Saratoga for trainer Dale Romans; however, a fast pace may have exaggerated the effect of her rally. Fly Again was brilliant in her debut, rallying from last going seven furlongs on yielding turf to win under a hand ride, but is now stepping up in distance against some very good horses. Time will tell if she can be as effective going a mile and a sixteenth, but her form of yielding turf -- which is what she will encounter today -- makes her an intriguing contender.

My selection is Watsdachances, as I feel she holds a class edge over the field and will prove much the best in the end.

-Keelerman

Spring Venture coasts to easy Mazarine Stakes win

Heavily favored Spring Venture picked up another easy victory this Saturday at Woodbine when she coasted to an unchallenged win in the $200,000 Mazarine Stakes (gr. III) over the Polytrack.

Trained by Mark Casse, the daughter of Spring at Last has previously won two races over the Woodbine turf, breaking her maiden first time out and backing that up with a terrific victory in the Natalma Stakes (gr. II) over that same surface.

Making her Polytrack debut in the Mazarine, Spring Venture was ridden to victory by Patrick Husbands. Fourth early on behind a slow pace of :24.88 and :50.14, Spring Venture gradually moved up into second place and then settled there, biding her time as front-running Shenandoah Lady continued to carve out slow fractions. Turning into the homestretch, Husbands asked Spring Venture for run, and the filly responded under a mild hand ride to take command of the lead, drawing away easily to win the 1 1/16th miles race by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:46.74.

Seaneen Girl narrowly held off Every Way to finish second, while Shenandoah Lady, Anfield Park, and Jazzy Jane completed the order of finish.

Spring Venture is owned by Gary Barber and Stoneway Farm. It is very possible that the filly could start in a Breeders' Cup race, although which one -- the Juvenile Fillies or the Juvenile Fillies Turf -- remains open to question.

-Keelerman

Spring in the Air romps to Alcibiades victory

Sent off as the slightest of favorites at 4.30-1, Spring in the Air looked more like an even-money shot when rallying for a convincing victory in the $400,000 Alcibiades Stakes (gr. I) on Friday at Keeneland.

With jockey Patrick Husbands in the saddle, Spring in the Air broke a bit slowly and found herself racing tenth of fourteen horses early on as La Song set moderate fractions of :22.98 and :47.13 seconds. Speedinthruthecity, Magical Moon, Gold Edge, Tara From the Cape, and Skyfall were next in line, followed by Dancinginthecircle, Fully Living, and Rose to Gold. Broken Spell, Almost an Angel, Kitten's Dumplings, and Pure Indy were the early trailers.

La Song continued to lead the way through three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.85, but gave way shortly thereafter as Magical Moon made a bold run to take command of the lead. Under Rosie Napravnik, the filly opened up a two-length lead passing the eighth pole, but was soon swallowed up by Spring in the Air, who burst clear in deep stretch to win the 1 1/16th race convincingly in 1:44.33 seconds.

Broken Spell rallied well to secure the place, a length behind Spring in the Air and two lengths ahead of Magical Moon. Tara From the Cape, Fully Living, Almost an Angel, Gold Edge, La Song, Pure Indy, Dancinginthecircle, Kitten's Dumplings, Rose to Gold, Skyfall, and Speedinthruthecity completed the order of finish.

The winner, a daughter of Spring At Last out of the Unbridled mare Unbridled Run, is owned by John Oxley and trained by Mark Casse. She has now compiled a record of 2-2-0 from 4 starts, with earnings of $371,519.

-Keelerman

STEPHANIE'S KITTEN WINS THE BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF!

Stephanie's Kitten came on strongly along the fence to wear down Stopshoppingmaria in the final strides to win the $1,000,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. II) by a half-length.

Under John Velazquez, Stephanie's Kitten sat reserved well off the pace as Stopshoppingmaria set a slow pace of :24.57 and :50.55. She was being tracked by Sweet Cat in second, with Royal Bonnie three wide in third. The filly turned for home with a clear advantage and appeared to be on her way to victory in deep stretch, but then came Stephanie's Kitten. Rallying furiously along the rail, Velazquez eased her to the outside in deep stretch and got her home just in time to win the race in 1:38.80.

Stopshoppingmaria held second by about a length and a half over Sweet Cat, while Up rallied on the far outside to be fourth. The winner is trained by Wayne Catalano and is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Stephanie's Kitten is a daughter of 2004 Eclipse champion turf male Kitten's Joy.

-Keelerman

2011 BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF POST POSITIONS

Here are the post positions for the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. II):

1 My Gi Gi
2 Dayatthespa
3 Up
4 Stopshoppingmaria
5 Stephanies Kitten
6 Sweet Cat
7 Royal Bonnie
8 Hard No to Like
9 Pure Gossip
10 Elusive Kate
11 Ann of the Dance
12 Dear Lavinia
13 Customer Base
14 Semolia Lemonade

MORE THAN REAL WINS THE BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF!

More Than Real rallied rapidly on the outside to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf by a decisive two and a half lengths.

Sent off at 13-1, More Than Real sat well off the pace before charging to the lead. Winter Memories, the even money favorite, ran into some trouble as the field turned for home. It appears as though More Than Real cut in front of Winter Memories, who did manage to rally for second. An objection has been filed by Jose Lezcano, jockey of Winter Memories, against the rider of More Than Real for interference.

The early pace was set by 85-1 shot Dos Lunas, who tired after setting good fractions of :23 2/5 and :47 2/5.

The final time was 1:36 3/5.

No action has been taken against the winners, so the final order of finish is More Than Real, Winter Memories, Kathmanblu and Forest Legend.

-Keelerman

BREEDERS' CUP UPDATE 4

3:36;

The next Breeders' Cup race, the Juvenile Fillies Turf, is only nineteen minutes away.

For those of you who read my post concerning my picks for these races, I finally decided to stick with New Normal and hope that she can hold off Winter Memories.

The odds don't agree with my picks --- Winter Memories is currently the 4-5 favorite, with New Normal lightly regarded at 15-1.

The second choice is currently Kathmanblu at 6-1, with Together the third choice at 7-1.

3:42;

Does anyone else think that Dos Lunas is just a tad underbet at 71-1? She does have a nice win over this course.

Winter Memories is now even money. . . New Normal has dropped a tad to 14-1. This is going to be a very interesting race to watch.

4:49;

It's now just six minutes away. Interestingly, my pick for third, Allure d'Amour, is currently 36-1. Never ignore a Todd Pletcher juvenile. . . :)

Winter Memories is still even money, but New Normal has dropped to 12-1. I will be back with the results shortly.

POST POSITIONS FOR THE JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

The post positions have just been drawn for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf!

Here they are. . .

1 Dos Lunas
2 Tale Untold
3 Quiet Oasis
4 Kathmanblu
5 Forest Legend
6 Arch Support
7 Winter Memories
8 Wyomia
9 Fancy Point
10 New Normal
11 More Than Real
12 Flood Plain
13 Together
14 Allure d'Amour

Also Eligible

15 Nina Fever

-Keelerman