Breeders' Cup - Juvenile Fillies Turf

8.50 Churchill Downs

Breeders´ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Grade 2) (2yo Fillies) (Turf) (2yo)

Winner: £346,154 Runners: 14

Advice: 1 pt win Elusive Kate (11/4 general), 1 pt each/way Stopshoppingmaria (10/1 general) 

My Gi Gi: Showed grit to win first time out having been carried very wide around the first turn, clawing back lost ground only just in time; Beaten just a head on Stakes debut and creditable fourth in Oak Leaf Stakes but this is far harder in any case and others preferred.

Dayatthespa: Probably not helped by hitting the front so early off pretty strong fraction when run down late on by Northern Passion (who may possibly reoppose) in the Natalama at Woodbine, just her second career start having previously won over 5 & ½ furlongs at Saratoga; Not impossible to see her reversing that form although she needs to improve on that.

Up: Well backed on debut at the Curragh but never getting into it; Much more like it and no surprise to see her win with degree of comfort having been held up early on; Form’s respectable (runner up filled same spot in good Leopardstown maiden on Sunday) and interestingly unexposed contender in this.

Stopshoppingmaria: Went into host of notebooks after making up masses of ground (lost her chance at the break) and followed that up by recording the fastest speed figure by a two-year-old in North America this year next time out; Expected by many to convcingly reverse form with My Miss Aurelia in the Frizette but things didn’t go quite to plan for her, never heading her rival before going down by 5&1/2 lengths; Might need the lead to show her best but not short of talent if doing so and big chance if taking to turf.

Stephanie’s Kitten: Didn’t get the best of trips when third behind Northern Passion in the Natalama Stakes and then landed the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keenland; Another contender with a valid shot here, especially given how much went against her in the Natalama.

Sweet Cat: Prominent running filly who probably chased too hard a pace from fairly wide draw in the Jessamine, although she was well picked up and pretty easily beaten by Somaili Lemonade in the stretch; Interesting is stamina conserved but others make more appeal.

Royal Bonnie: Ran on well after getting into a head to head battle at Saratoga over 9 furlongs but smashed by Pure Gossip in the Miss Grillo Stakes when placed fourth after interfering with runners on the home turn; Passed over.

Hard Not To Like: Flopped as favourite for the Natalama but back to form with softer ground and an extra furlong, which saw her beat males in a State bred contest; Helped by two rivals (including favourites) being pulled up; Might be more of a 3 year old prospect.

Pure Gossip: Sprung upset in Miss Grillo Stakes but a wide margin and impressive one, when running out a 6 length winner in a time 4 seconds faster than males on the same card (soft turf too); Disappointment of favourite which may have been down to ground might leave her underrated here but even then others preferred.

Elusive Kate: Made expected improvement from promising debut when cosy winner at Kempton and has since landed two Group events in France since, winning with ease on both occasions; Followed that up with convincing Marcel Boussac win despite drifting very wide into middle of course; Strong chance here for trainer with excellent record.

Ann Of The Dance: Impressive display when stepped up markedly in trip going two turns for first time in allowance race, winning by 6 & ½ lengths; Held on next two tries in maiden company and  hard to see her reversing form with Stephanie’s Kitten.

Dear Lavinia: Got within a length of Elusive Kate after breaking maiden with ease at Deauville, but never really threatened to beat here; Defeat at evens before conclusive Listed win leaves it’s doubts but not to be totally underrated here.

 

Customer Base: Hinted at a preference for longer distances when outstaying maiden special weight rivals over 6 furlongs on Polytrack andput that to good use when coming away for allowance win; Not really asked for those two wins but this a different scenario altogether and left alone despite booking of Juilen Leparoux.

Somalli Lemonade: Overcame a rough trip first time out when coming right away to win at Belmont and justified that good impression, along with favouritism, in the Jessamine at Keenland when deeply impressive in passing Sweet Cat late on; Widest draw of all will put some off but if she tries for a run from behind it should have no effect and big player.

VERDICT: A fairly wide draw in stall 10, along with the poor record of European raiders in this tempers enthusiasm for ELUSIVE KATE but there’s no denying the impression she’s left on her last three starts and the record of her trainer with US shippers is a massive positive. A host of good US challengers in a strong renewal are headed by Somali Lemonade, but STOPSHOPPINGMARIA could be one for each/way support from a nice draw – This is an ideal chance for her to show her true colours if breaking well. Aidan O’Brien’s Up is a fascinating contender, along with the first three from the Natalama, of which Stephanie’s Kitten is preferred.