Taking a slight poke at the four qualifying entries for this years BC Juvenile Fillies by the names of Never Forgotten ( Estero Farms), Relax ( Mb Stables ) Blonde Bomber ( Smokey Stover ) and Rabbit For A Cause ( Jive Inc ), they will joint a group of ten additional runners, all carrying equal weight of 122 pounds, and all in search of either an additional BC victory, or claiming the prestige of their very first!
BC JUVENILE FILLIES- Grade I
- One Mile and One sixteenth in Distance- Purse $2,000.000
- Santa Anita Park- Main Track Dirt Surface
- For Fillies Two Years old
- Friday the First of November, 2019
The twelveth and final BC event on Fridays card of racing will feature a group of fourteen skilled and talented two year old fillies looking to take a firm grip on the gold ring of a Breeders Cup victory. The following is this years competitors and some brief comments from the win and your in qualifies for this event.
1. Untouched Talent ( S: Pink Man D:Untamed Talent ) TR: John Henry JK: Van Dyke D – BC Pts: 10 ( 6th)- Previous trainer made the add of Bute in early August before attacking both the Gr. II Adirondack and then the Gr. I DMR Debutante. Both would end up being runner-up efforts, and then she would be trailered over to the John Henry barns the following week. Her new trainer attempted the Gr. I Alcibiades event, and while she looked eager to perform in the early stages of that event, she would place fifth, two lengths shy. This will be her fourth race with Bute, and Van Dyke is sticking aboard once again for the third straight race. Rail is ideal as a starting position and she will definitely need to save some in reserves so she doesn’t fade late nearing the wire.
2. Mad Mistress ( S:Indistinquishable D: Laffin At The Law ) TR: Jokerjoes JK: Castellano J J – BC Pts: 4 ( 13th) – Is out of the grandsire of a BC Dirt Mile winner. Has three wins in just four career starts, and won a stakes event to follow up her maiden victory. Trainer must have noticed her struggling in traffic two starts ago when competing in the Generous Portion Stakes at DMR , even though she did manage to close late after trailing early on in that affair to be just four lengths shy. The blinkers were added for her most recent Gr. III Mazarine BC Stakes at today’s distance, and she walked away with a one length victory for her efforts. Blinkers stay put for this one, just wish her SRF numbers were a bit keener.
3. Relax ( S: Calm Command D: Copacetic ) TR: Mb Stables JK: Bejarano R. BC Pts: 26 ( 1st )- Whenever there has been any talk about the juveniles this season, Relax has been one that has been spoken about often. Five for Five this season in competition, and a three time Graded company winner, one Grade II event, and two Grade I titles in her last two races leading up to this affair. Will more then likely go the post time favorite with her outstanding record, and many would say that her SRF numbers should have been a slight higher then what she was given. No time to Relax in this event, its all on the line here.
Mb Stables comments; ” Relax is one of the most talented 2 year old’s I’ve ever had colt or filly. She’s a real speedster, but as the distances have gotten longer she’s just continued to get better. I’m hopeful she’ll draw a good post position, and put on a show 🙂 ” I tend to agree with his assessment!
4. Blonde Bomber ( S: Niagra D: Beef Hooked ) TR: Smokey Stover JK: Beschizza A BC Pts: 14 ( 4th) – While Joshua Stables was responsible for her maiden victory, it has been this trainer to guide her to a runner-up effort in the Gr. II Pocahontas, then come back to capture the Gr. I Frizette in her most recent win. Last years Juvenile Fillies winner Camp Hollywood went to the event on the coattails of a Frizette victory, and now Blonde Bomber’s trainer is hoping that his entry will follow suit as well. Jockey for the Frizette is staying in the irons for this affair, and would love to add this race to his victory list.
Smokey Stover’s comments; ” On the positive side I love that she will be able to make the distance without a problem. Her last three races have been sensational. But her last mile workout of 138 is a major red flag and it will be incredibly hard to beat the likes of Relax if she is not on the top her game.” Here’s hoping!
5. Rabbit For A Cause ( S: Niagra D: Catch Me If You Can ) TR: Jive Inc JK: Lanerie C J – BC Pts: 6 ( 10th) – Trainer was able to capture this event with the likes of La Terrifiant two seasons ago, and he will be the first to admit that he should have never let her go. Is one of two entered here today out of the sire Niagra, and both have shown some considerable talent in the past two event. She took home her maiden victory two starts ago with the first attempt adding Bute, then returned to finish on top in the Gr. II Pocahontas beating her half sister in that event. Lanerie returns from that Pocahontas victory, and if this trio has all the right stuff, they could be an upsetter dream. ( See notes at the end of this article for trainers assessment )
6. Miss Tallmadge ( S: Tallmadge D: Miss New Booty ) TR: John Henry JK: Saenz D- BC Pts: 6 ( 8th) – It has been since early July for this two year old grey to earn her last victory, that coming in the $100 My Dear Stakes at WO. That was a two length victory and while she has changed barns twice in here most recent events, this trainer is hoping she picked up a few pointers from her efforts in the Gr. I Spinaway and the Gr. I Chandelier Stakes. The latter race she was caught in an outside post and never was able to get started in that event, but managed to be four shy at the wire. No major changes for her, just the trainer will have to have the right instructions.
7. Zombie Storm ( S: Commanding The Storm D: Calypso Music ) TR: La Canada Racehorses JK: Saez G – BC Pts: 6 ( 11th)- After two unsuccessful attempts with her previous trainer, she broke her maiden in first asking under this talented trainer. Has come back to two runner-up efforts, those being in the General Portions Stakes missing by a length and the Gr. I Frizette over the longer stretch drive going a mile. Had a slight drop off in speed in her most recent work over her previous works at the same distance. She has continuously seen her SRF numbers climb all season, and that is always a plus in my books. Has her work cutout for her, but nothing is impossible.
8. Interpoint ( S: Bay Of Plenty D: Ravine ) TR: Night Rider Stables JK: Bridgmohan S X. BC Pts: 12 ( 5th) – Looks like one of those who could slip under the radar and show up when you least expect her too. Jockey will be making his third straight race in the irons with her, and it seems that her two most recent runner-up placing will give her some credit here on race day. The distance should play well for her late running style down the lane, and she has yet to disappoint getting a share in all three of her recent Graded company events. This trio can be a threat if there is no traffic to contend with late .
9. The Belle Tolls ( S: Perfect Command D: Ask For More ) TR: Allinthegate JK: Velasquez J R – BC Pts- 14 ( 3rd )- Another filly entered here who has won all of her four starts in her career. Her last two efforts were wins in the Gr. III Schuylerville and then most recent she walked away with Gr. I Spinaway up at Saratoga going seven eights of a mile. This will be her first effort at going beyond the mile distance, and her first event carrying 122 pounds. Major plus for her is that Johnny V is still in the irons, and he has led her to her past three victories, so the duo knows how to perform. She will more then likely be close to the front early, and have enough in the tank to fend off any late chargers. Factor today.
10. Never Forgotten ( S: Mr Creepy D: End Of Sanny ) TR: Estero Farms JK: Gaffalione T. BC Pts 16 ( 2nd) – Was just a recent purchase for this trainer some ten days prior to this event, and this will be her first start for the barn. Has won three of her six starts this season with her most recent victory coming in the Gr. I Alcibiades closing late to win by three quarters of a length. That affair was at today’s distance and as long as there is no heavy traffic to contend with down the lane and she is able to find an opening for her rider to bring her home, she will definitely be one who will make the run for the wire an exciting one.
Estero Farms comments; ” How I attack the race will probably depend a lot on the post position draw but since I have 2 entries I ideally will have one up close to the the pace and another more in the middle of the pack. ” I think we know who will be more middle of the pack.
11. Risen Day ( S: Bernardini D: Vera Marcal ) TR: Mb Stables JK: Talamo J BC Pts 6 (9th ) – Not really sure if this one’s previous trainer was unhappy with her effort in the Gr. II Pocahontas to allow her to be sold at such a lowball price, but her new trainer never hesitated to jump her right back into the fire by competing in the Gr. I Alcibiades, and she performed beautifully coming in second to one she will face once again. Did finish behind that winner in the Pocahontas as well, so guaranteed her trainer will have his rider focused on staying close, and out kicking her to the line for this race. Trainer has been known to surprise with the unexpected.
12. Little Baby Bomber ( S: Bronx Bomber D: Beanie Baby ) TR Aer Stables JK: Franco M – BC Pts 4 ( 14th) – She has been a lightly raced two year old with just three career starts, and yet she has managed to find herself in the biggest event of the year. Placed third in her last go round in the Gr. I Frizette, and that came with a closing effort at a mile to miss by a length. Her maiden race two starts ago is the only event in which she visited the winners enclosure. Franco was in the irons on that day, and trainer is hoping with his return, this bay filly will respond once again and grab a share by the end of the race. Placement is the key here.
13. Skygazer ( S: Virtual Realism D: Something Blue ) TR: Rampage Stable JK: Rosario J BC Pts: 8 ( 7th) – Breaking from one of the two outside post positions is going to be hard enough for this sixteen hands filly, and she will need some of her bloodlines talent to get the job done. Sire on her dam side won three Grade I events and a Gr II title before he was retired to stud. Has just one victory in four starts, but has managed to finish in the money in three races. Has never been better then 10-1 odds at the windows, and with this type of post, she will definitely be high in the double digits category. This is definitely not going to be a good day.
14. Drink Me Pretty ( S: Captain Rush D: Musical Crown ) TR: Estero Farms JK: Hernandez R M – BC Pts: 4 ( 12th)- Its obvious that when this trainer entered Toppled into the Gr. I Alcibiades event, he was not only there to race, he was there to shop as well. Purchasing this two year old two days prior to Never Forgotten meant he was definitely trying to put together a combination of runners for this event. Its obvious that this one will be sent out quickly from her outside post position to snatch up the rail, and hopefully control the pace allowing her entry mate to close ground late to steal the show. Definitely fits into Training 101 for the BC in my opinion, and if Estero has laid out his plan for this race, he may just reap the profits as well.
Also Eligibles:
Steady Acquaintance ( S: Well Informed D: Viking Steady ) TR: Nakamura Stables – BC Pts: 4 ( 15th) – Has just a maiden win to her credit, and if she does drop in she placed third in the Gr. I Chandelier breaking from the 12th post position, so she could make a dent from the extreme outside.
Vegas Show Hen ( S: Growl D: Show Hen ) TR: Our Athletes – BC Pts: N.A.- Has no BC points to her credit, but she won three straight trips to the winners circle leading up to her effort in the Gr. I Chandelier. Had the addition of Bute in that event and trainer would have liked to received a ” Do Over” for that race. If she is in, I’ll guarantee Bute will not be in her equipment list.
Notes: I left one of the trainers comments to the very end because in all my interviews with trainers in the past, I have never come across such enthusiasm and just a uplifting spirit as I has received in my interview with Jive Inc. main man Lance. I asked him for just a quick note on how he felt on his chances in this event, and was he second guessing himself for allowing 2017 winner of this very race La Terrifiant go from his stable. Here is what he had to say;
” One of my biggest regrets of my HRP career is selling La Terrifiant after winning the BC Juvi with her. Though LT found a good home with Wayne of Our Athletes. So it’s amazing to have another crack at it so soon, especially since I am a barn that is habitually under 50 active horses.
I recall LT being on a bit of the slower side. So Rabbit for a Cause looks at least a touch more talented at this point in her career, who knows if she can sustain the long term success of LT.
When it comes to an event like the BC, I am just honored to have a horse representing me. This will be my second BC entry and I am happy to say I’ve earned both their way into the race. It feels like more of an accomplishment when you get them there on your own. As a small stable, the journey to this point is almost satisfactory enough. I never thought LT had a shot, my heart was firing at 200 beats a minute when I saw her driving home for the win.
Tasting a win like that makes you starve for more. Chasing more then humbles you to how difficult this game is and how good the other owners are. Mb, DJC, Estero, Smokey, John Henry, Aer, Night Rider– All of them are owners way beyond my capabilities.
So this is a tall task for me and for Rabbit for a Cause. She has comparable workout times with some of the top talent in this race, has drawn a solid post, and gets the jockey who scored her the win in the Pocahontas. Still we face: Untouched Talent, Relax, Blonde Bomber, The Belle Tolls, Never Forgotten, and Drink Me Pretty…. Tough field with amazing owners.
So do we have a shot? Absolutely, we’re in the race. I love my horse. I wouldn’t trade her for any other horse in he race. But I doubt I’ll be anyone’s top pick and I sort of enjoy being the long shot. My game plan is to sit back, enjoy the BC day, and hope the BC Juvi turns out nice for me. If it doesn’t, Rabbit has a long future ahead of her and she’ll stay in my barn for that. I won’t make that mistake a second time. “
A definite ” Straight from the Heart ” comment on his stable, that of his competitors, and just how much these BC events mean on the whole here at HRP. I wish nothing but success for his stable in the future, and if he does pull off that second victory here, save a glass of champagne for me in the winners circle.
Good luck to everyone entered here today!
Duffer
Categories: BC 2018-20, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP
