The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is one of the standout races on the opening day of the meeting, as it is run over one mile on a grass course.
History Of The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
This is one of the newer races that has been introduced to the Breeders’ Cup, as it was run for the first time back in 2007. It was immediately a success and was given Grade II status in 2009, before then being upgraded to Grade I status just two years later.
Last year’s winner of the race was Structor for trainer Chad Brown. The horse was ridden by Jose Ortiz to victory in a time of 1:35.11.
The most successful jockey in this race is Ryan Moore, who has won the race on three occasions, but Frankie Dettori is fast gaining ground as he has won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on three occasions.
Aidan O’Brien is the most successful trainer in this race, as he has trained the winning of four previous occasions, with all winners being ridden by Moore. The most recent of their winners was Mendelssohn in 2017.
Check out the complete list of past winners in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf here: TwinSpires.com/breeders-cup/winners
Aunt Pearl The Heavy Favourite
There is already a clear favourite in the betting for this year’s instalment as the Brad Cox-trained horse Aunt Pearl leads the betting.
The two-year-old has been getting all the attention since making her debut on the track in early September. On that debut run, she won by five lengths from Gam’s Mission in the Maiden Special Weight.
Aunt Pearl made it two wins from two a month later as she won by two and a half lengths fro, Spanish Loveaffair in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland. That was the horse’s first step up to Grade 2 level, and there is an expectancy that there is more to come from this two-year-old in this race at the Breeders’ Cup.
Other Contenders For The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Gamblers may look elsewhere for value in this race, as Aunt Pearl hasn’t yet been truly tested on the racecourse. One of the leading contenders that could be set to push Aunt Pearl all the way is Irish trained horse Campanelle. This will be the two-year-olds fourth appearance on a racetrack.
The Wesley Ward-trained horse has won on all three previous appearances, with the most recent of those coming in France in the Darley Prix Morny.
That Group 1 success would highlight a potential star in the world of racing. This will not be her first appearance in the States either, as she won her maiden race in the Maiden Special Weight at Gulfstream Park back in May this year. She will be the standout contender that is best placed to take on Aunt Pearl.
The only other realistic challenger in the betting is Plum Ali, who will come into this race having won her last two. She has won both previous races by two and a quarter length, with the most recent of those coming in the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park.
However, this will be a big step up for the Christophe Clement-trained horse, as the two horses at the head of the betting are more highly thought of.
So, there is no doubting that Plum Ali will be best placed to challenge for the win should either of the two front runners not be at their very best.
