Lady Eli Undefeated and Impressive in Juvenile Fillies Turf Victory

The $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) was the coming out party of a future star. Sheep Pond Partners Lady Eli (2-1) exploded in the stretch to win very impressively by 2¾ widening lengths. Early pace setter Sunset Glow was second best, 2¼ lengths in front of fast closing Osaila (IRE).

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. tucked the dark brown daughter of Divine Park on the rail behind the trio of Sunset Glow, Isabella Sings, and Nicky’s Brown Miss who vied for the lead into the first turn. "I got a perfect trip,” Ortiz said, “My filly broke good and I got a nice spot down the inside, and then I broke through the hole when (Sunset Glow) came out (entering the stretch).”

Ortiz had Lady Eli locked and loaded on the rail from the quarter pole, biding his time hoping a hole would open… and it did. He could have driven a Mack truck through the hole Victor Espinoza provided when his mount Sunset Glow swung about three-paths wide entering the stretch.

Once Lady Eli took the lead, no one in this field was going to catch her. Ortiz donning the Sheep Pond Partners aqua with pink hoops silks, which are Jerry Moss silks look-alikes, appeared as if he were Mike Smith riding Zenyetta, under a hand ride to the wire while his mount galloped out impressively beyond the runner-up.

Lady Eli is now a perfect three for three in her career for trainer Chad Brown, who had four runners in the race. It was Brown’s third Breeders' Cup win, the second in this event as he saddled 2008 Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Maram.

The betting public got it right as the top three finishers were the top 3 betting choices. Lady Eli went off the 2-1 post time favorite and return $6.80, 4.20, 3.00. The $2 Exacta with 9-2 second choice Sunset Glow paid $35 while 5-1 third choice Osaila completed the $1 Trifecta payoff of $65.90.