Breeders’ Cup: O’Brien, Meditate score in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Lexington, Ky.

Aidan O’Brien, the most successful international trainer in Breeders’ Cup history, added his 14th win in the series Friday when Meditate (2-1) closed down the middle of the track to win by 2 1/2 lengths in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf going one mile on the firm grass at Keeneland.

The Coolmore owned filly by No Nay Never was one of five horses spread across the track. With Ryan Moore riding to his 10th Breeders’ Cup victory, Meditate pulled away to cross the wire at a winning time of 1:35.38.

Pleasant Passage (6-1) finished second, followed 2 1/4 lengths later by third-place Cairo Consort (19-1). Midnight Mile (12-1) missed hitting the board by a head and settled for fourth.

It was the first top-level victory for Meditate, who was made the post-time favorite largely on the strength of her two second-place finishes in September in the Moyglare Stud in Ireland and the Cheveley Park in England, both Group 1 races.

“We had a reason (she didn’t win) at the Curragh and a reason for her last race and weren’t sure about the mile," O'Brien said after the race. "Ryan (Moore) gave her a brilliant ride. Michael (Tabor, Coolmore partner) was very confident that this was the race for her. It’s incredible. We came to here to see if she would be a filly for the Guineas.

"And I heard Michael telling Ryan before the race, if she wasn’t going to get the trip here, we might not train her for the Guineas. Obviously, the result was great. Ryan was very patient. He didn’t have an easy draw and said he had to take his time the first half. Delighted for everyone.”

It was the second win for Europe in as many turf races early in the two days of the Breeders’ Cup. Meditate paid $6.08, $4.06, $3.28; Pleasant Passage $6.24 and $4.80; and Cairo Consort $9.78.