Audarya closes late to win Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

French-bred and England-based filly Audarya lengthened her stride late to win the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Saturday, running down favored Rushing Fall on the outside to take the race by a neck.

Audarya, who went off as a 17-1 longshot, was ridden to victory by Pierre-Charles Boudot, who took over the mount when regular rider Ioritz Mendizabal could not meet COVID protocols.

Down the stretch, it was race favorite Rushing Fall who had the advantage, having run down Mean Mary for the position momentarily. However, Audarya was able to find another gear, snatching the lead in the final furlong.

Rushing Fall took second and Harvey’s Lil Goil finished third.

Audarya is a daughter of Wootton Bassett out of the Green Tune mare Green Bananas. She is trained by James Fanshawe, who got the win in his Breeders’ Cup debut.

Audarya entered the race fresh off a third place finish in the Prix De l’Opera at Longchamp on Oct. 4.

Splits for the 1 3/16-mile race on turf that was upgraded to firm were 23.50, 47.44,1:10.95 and 1:34.56. The winning time was a course-record 1:52.72.

Audarya returned $37.60 for the win.

The race got off to an eventful start, with Starship Jubilee unseating her rider Florent Geroux right out of the gate from post 1. Geroux was uninjured as was Starship Jubilee.