Aunt Pearl dominates Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Aunt Pearl broke a track record at Keeneland in her second career start in the Jessamine (G2), but her encore performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf was even better.

The undefeated Brad Cox-trained daughter of Lope de Vega burst out of the gate under an aggressive ride from jockey Florent Geroux and led every step of the way for a 2 1/2-length victory.

“That was a devastating performance, Brad Cox exclaimed after the race. "She is an amazing filly. Very proud of her. Speed is her weapon and she knows how to use it. I was pretty confident (she would win) when I saw the :47 and (jockey Florent Geroux) obviously knows her well.” 

Aunt Pearl was asked to go fast early, going the opening quarter in 22.55 seconds to clear Wesley Ward's Campanelle. Geroux and his star filly were able to catch a bit of a breather while completing the opening half in 47.30.

That breather was all this speedy filly needed to kick clear in the stretch.

“I know she is extremely fast, Geroux said. "I just tried to get away good. She was off to a flying start. She went pretty quick early on and after that I tried to get her to relax. On the backside she came back to me. When I asked her, she had plenty left. She’s extremely talented. I think the sky is the limit for her. Over the winter, hopefully she’ll grow a little bit and next year we can do it again.” 

The European duo of Mother Earth and Miss Amulet flew home late to pick off Campanelle, but Aunt Pearl's victory was never in doubt. As the favorite she paid $7.20 to win, completing the mile in 1:35.71.

Aidan O'Brien's Mother Earth finished second, a neck ahead of Miss Amulet, who ran third. Aidan O'Brien is now 0-for-his-last-38 with Breeders' Cup starters. His last winner was Mendelssohn in the 2007 Juvenile Turf.

Campanelle held fourth, giving the Irish-breds the superfecta in the race.