Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Field, odds and analysis

By Christine Oser

The 2017 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf has attracted some top young names. Trainer Chad Brown won last year’s edition with New Money Honey, and has another good chance to win this year. The $1 million race — run at a mile — takes place on Friday, Nov. 3, at Del Mar.

Here’s an early look at the field with odds by Horse Racing Nation. Also check out 5 tips to picking a winner in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Best Performance [18-1 – Broken Vow – Christophe Clement – 5-1-4-0 – $215,100]: This first out winner has picked up a string of seconds in stakes company, both on dirt and turf. She was left chasing Significant Form in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo Stakes last out. Needs to finally catch them.

Billesdon Brook (GB) [15-1 – Champs Elysees (GB) – Richard Hannon – 8-3-2-2 – $69,779]: Outside of her last start, her first time at Group 2 level, Billesdon Brook has never been worse than third. She was most recently fifth in the May Hill Stakes. Has to handle Grade 1 competition.

Capla Temptress (IRE) [8-1 – Lope de Vega (IRE) – Marco Botti – 4-3-0-1 – $166,362]: She won her first two races in England and finished third in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes. She then traveled overseas and rallied to win the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes, a “Win and You’re In” race. Comes in off her best effort.

Clemmie (IRE) [6-1 – Galileo (IRE) – Aidan O’Brien – 5-3-0-1 – $266,794]: A full sister to multiple Group 1 winner Churchill (IRE), Clemmie has taken on bigger races and won her last three starts. Her most recent win was the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. A top contender from Europe.

Dixie Moon (ON) [25-1 – Curlin – Catherine Day Phillips – 3-2-1-0 – $191,720]: Dixie Moon has been consistent in her three starts. She won her debut on synthetic, was second by three-quarters of a length in the Natalma, and came back to win the Cup and Saucer Stakes. Will face tougher horses in Breeders’ Cup.

Fatale Bere (FR) [18-1 – Pedro the Great – Leonard Powell – 4-3-0-1 – $92,274]: After two firsts and a third in France, Fatale Bere picked up a thrilling nose victory in the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Winner on the firm West Coast turf.

Goodthingstaketime (IRE) [30-1 – Canford Cliffs (IRE) – Julie Adair Stack – 4-0-2-0 – $23,356]: Her best placing to date is second in the Group 3 Curragh Stakes. Not likely to break maiden at Breeders’ Cup.

Happily (IRE) [4-1 – Galileo (IRE) – Aidan O’Brien – 6-4-1-0 – $557,745]: This filly has already beaten the boys in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, a “Win and You’re In” race for the male division. Happily also won the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, a “Win and You’re In” for the fillies. Right now it looks like she will stick with the girls stateside. Another top European threat.

Madeline (IRE) [15-1 – Kodiac (GB) – Roger Varian – 6-2-1-1 – $129,486]: Third last out in the Cheveley Park Stakes behind Clemmie, she’ll have to step it up to earn her first graded win on Breeders’ Cup day. Hard spot to break through.

Magical (IRE) [10-1 – Galileo (IRE) – Aidan O’Brien – 6-2-2-0 – $236,252]: She was second to stablemate Happily in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, but has since run fourth in two Group 1s. O’Brien and Coolmoore have better options here.

Moon Dash [25-1 – Malibu Moon – Michael Stidham – 2-1-1-0 – $40,400]: This debut winner was the Surfer Girl runner-up by a nose in only her second start. Has shown talent on the West Coast.

Now You’re Talking (IRE) [30-1 – Zoffany (IRE) – Joseph O’Brien – 5-0-1-1 - $32,210]: Her best score is a second place effort in a maiden race. She was fourth in the Cheveley Park Stakes last out. Doubtful she breaks her maiden at Breeders’ Cup.

Orbolution [12-1 – Orb – Todd Pletcher – 5-2-0-3 – $145,800]: Never worse than third in five starts. She broke her maiden by 2 ½ lengths at Saratoga, won the P. G. Johnson by 4 ¾ lengths, and got up for third in the Miss Grillo despite traffic problems at the beginning and end. Could make some noise.

Retro [15-1 – Giant’s Causeway – Richard Mandella – 2-1-0-1 – $48,000]: Retro won by a neck her first time out and closed fast in the Surfer Girl to catch third. Needs to catch them in time.

Rushing Fall [7-2 – More Than Ready – Chad Brown – 2-2-0-0 – $135,000]: Rushing Fall was impressive first time out, but her “Win and You’re In” Grade 3 Jessamine Stakes victory really boosted her reputation. She came from behind to break her maiden by 1 ¼ lengths at Belmont, then took over in the Jessamine and drew off to a 3 ¼ length win. Top U.S. choice.

Significant Form [18-1 – Creative Cause – Chad Brown – 2-1-0-0 – $120,415]: She was the first to cross the wire in her debut, but was disqualified to seventh for interference. She retained her Miss Grillo Stakes win despite drifting out a little toward Orbolution. Needs to stay focused against the best. 

Stainless [20-1 – Flatter – Todd Pletcher – 4-1-1-1 – $79,000]: This filly flashed potential winning by 3 ½ lengths first time out on the Gulfstream dirt, but never got up for a stakes win. Switching to turf showed some improvement when she ran second in the Jessamine. Faces a big test in the Breeders’ Cup.

Take Me With You [25-1 – Scat Daddy – Jeremy Noseda – 3-1-0-2 – $16,885]: Her only win so far has been in novice stakes company, with a third place effort in the Group 3 Albany Stakes. Not likely to make the grade here.

Ultima D [15-1 – Scat Daddy – Wesley Ward – 4-1-2-0 – $229,178]: Ultima D tried dirt and all weather surfaces before finishing second to the colts on turf. She then broke her maiden in the Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Kentucky Downs, where she led all the way. She’s improved since taking to the turf, but will need to show another gear in Grade 1 company. Has to take another step up.