Saturday 2 November 2013

Breeders' Cup 2013 - Juvenile Fillies

7.05 Santa Anita

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) (Dirt) (Class 1)  (2YO only)
Winner $1,144,200

Advice: 1 pt win She’s a Tiger (4/1 general), 1 pt win Untapable (11/2 general)


Owner detailsArtemis Agotera: Looked a special horse when crushing opposition at Saratoga on debut (won by 11 lengths on the bridle) and did nothing to take away from that impression when winning Frizette Stakes at Belmont, tracking the pace before striking on in stretch and having in the end, plenty in hand over Spinaway Stakes winner Sweet Reason, who had a nightmare trip; That said, nothing to take away from her win and inside post draw could be a serious help and must be respected.


Owner detailsRosalind: Well back early and hung when asked for her effort before doing all her best work at the finish when third to Utappable at Churchill Downs on just second start; Again not fully straightforward when second to My Conquestadory in Albicades Stakes at Keenland latest, hanging before eventually closing for second; Not out of it with so much early speed from out wide but hasn’t looked manourverable when it counts which is a worry.


Owner detailsDesigner Legs: Awarded Adironack Stakes at Saratoga after sustained stretch battle but couldn’t land a blow behind sweet Reason in the Spinaway and behind Rosalind at Keenland latest; Others preferred.


Owner detailsSecret Compass: Didn’t have the pace to strike a blow when well behind She’s a Tiger in the Debutante but that’ one’s decision to strike on for home off blistering gallop 4 furlongs out saw her pick up the pieces to land Chandelier Stakes over C&D last time for Bob Baffert; Has to be a contender here on that effort and draw is very ideal for her to strike late once again for all that she needed every last stride and will likely be reliant on those upfront falling in the hole; Still, big player.


Owner detailsRia Antonia: Beaten six lengths in the Frizette as a rank outsider and hard to see any reason why she should be able to turn around that form today.


Owner detailsConcave: Took the lead early, cruised along, and eventually won readily over 5 furlongs at Hollywood to win maiden, and used that same speed to win Sorrento Stakes with She’s A Tiger behind; Never looked like confirming that form in Debutante Stakes on 4lbs worse terms even with the advantage of a strong pace to benefit her;


Owner detailsUntapable: Pulled hard early, was green and had to be switched wide but still had plenty in reserve to win the Pochahontas Stakes at Churchill latest; Third Rosalind has since boosted the form, looks more than capable of improving and more pace the better for this scopey sort; Interesting.


Owner detailsScandalous Act: Confirmed as Florida’s top juvenile filly; Rattled up a hat trick at Calder, following same path that Awesome Feather took in 2011 before taking this; Not seen the best of her but worry that so much early speed will be on for her to overcome in what’s obviously going to be a much tougher contest; Bypassed.

Owner detailsSweet Reason: Got herself detached in last place and was shoved along to keep tempo on Saratoga debut but crushed opposition easily with stretch move and even more impressive when destroying opposition in Spinaway Stakes there by similar distance; Same tactics didn’t work when she went sharply left and cost herself more than the winning distance at the start in Frizette, going four wide around the turn and closing before exertions told and she couldn’t pass Artemis Agrotera in the final run; Can play a big part today, although wide draw presents awkward tactical dilemmas for Alex Solis and deep stretch run another issue.


Owner detailsShe’s a Tiger: Aggressive running filly who was done for turn of foot by Concave in Sorrento Stakes but turned the tables on equal terms when blazing a trail and lasting home in Debutante Stakes  after sustained pace battle; Same tactics her downfall in C&D trial for this when she got into pace battle from widest stall early and struck on four furlongs before being collared by Secret Compass in final stride; Clearly got top notch speed but the worry is that she’ll fall in a hole again if exerting too much pace early; Could be the one to beat however.



VERDICT: A race loaded with talent and possible scenarios, especially with two of the favourites – infact arguably the leading East and West Coast fillies – on the outside. There’s a school of thought that suggests Sweet Reason and SHE’S A TIGER were the best horses in defeat to Artemis Aregora and Secret Compass respectively last time, although deciding between the four is made doubly hard given the difference in the post positions for the quarter, while UNTAPABLE is sure to be finishing strong and may well have been overlooked by many. It’s an extremely tough choice but if She’s a Tiger can keep her main effort in hold until late on then she may be too quick to catch for the rest. Untapable makes a lot of appeal with so much speed on the front end.

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