Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY
PREVIEWS

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES
TURF (G1), 9TH-SA, $1,000,000, 2YO, F, 1MT, 6:50PM, 11-1

Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf features a contentious, and very
well-matched, full field of 14 going a mile on Santa Anita’s turf. There are
three overseas challengers and two other European campaigners who have joined
the barns of American trainers ahead of Friday’s race.

One of those in the latter category is Clenor, and the Irish-bred miss holds
the distinction of taking Santa Anita’s local prep for the Juvenile Fillies Turf
over course and distance. Despite that, we think a 12-1 morning-line shot has a
very good chance of continuing her owners’ recent remarkable run.

1ST — KITTEN KABOODLE is bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have
been taking down records left, right and center this year.

The Ramseys were leading owners at Saratoga’s meet, scored a record nine wins
for the Kentucky Downs title and broke a Keeneland fall meet record that had
stood since 1968 (and they had tied in 2012) when earning 17 victories at that
Lexington, Kentucky, track’s recent stand. The husband and wife team also
captured the 2011 edition of the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Stephanie’s Kitten,
who in three starts this year has won the Just a Game and Distaff Turf Mile
as well as run a close third in the Diana.

That being said, Kitten Kaboodle earned the right to be the 2013 top choice
by her own merits. The chestnut daughter of Kitten’s Joy began her career with
Wayne Catalano at Saratoga but was unable to help her owners take the title at
that New York venue when runner-up in both her starts there going 1 1/16 miles.

Subsequently transferred to trainer Chad Brown’s shedrow, Kitten Kaboodle
broke her maiden in spectacular fashion at Keeneland when running away for a 4
3/4-length victory in the Jessamine. She shipped back to Brown’s barn at
Belmont Park and has consistently posted competitive half-mile moves in
readiness for Friday’s race.

Kitten Kaboodle will have the services of jockey John Velazquez for the first
time in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which can only help her chances even more.

2ND — While tabbing Kitten Kaboodle, it must be noted CLENOR will be very
tough to beat and that’s why she’s the second choice here. The bay miss actually
has been unbeatable since coming stateside and all in California.

Clenor never showed much in Ireland, running fifth and fourth in a pair of
maiden contests before filling the third spot in a Group 3 contest in late June.
Just over a month later the Oratorio filly was running away with her initial win
by 2 1/2 lengths going a mile on Del Mar’s turf, and followed up with a 3
1/4-length victory in the Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Instead of shipping his charge cross country for graded credit, trainer Doug
O’Neill kept his eye on the Breeders’ Cup prize and saddled Clenor to a game
three-quarter length triumph in the Surfer Girl, Santa Anita’s prep for Friday’s
contest.

Clenor has recorded just two works since then, but made them count when
blazing a half-mile in :47 1/5 on October 18 and speeding four furlongs last
Friday in :48 2/5, both on Santa Anita’s green. Local leading rider Rafael
Bejarano has been in the saddle for all of the filly’s U.S. starts and retains
the mount for the Breeders’ Cup.

3RD — Like Clenor, TESTA ROSSI crossed the pond early, though she took up
residence in Brown’s barn at Belmont. The French-bred brought with her a
three-race win streak that was stretched to four entering the Juvenile Fillies
Turf thanks to victory in the Miss Grillo on October 6.

Testa Rossi was last of 11 in that 8 1/2-furlong affair, but found herself in
front with a length to spare in the stretch. The chestnut daughter of Dr Fong
had to battle for the victory with SKY PAINTER, just holding that rival by a
nose on the wire.

Testa Rossi proved herself over a firm course in the Miss Grillo, warranting
a place among our picks, but will need to keep to task if she hopes to win on
Friday. Jockey Jose Lezcano said after the Miss Grillo that Testa Rossi began
pulling up a bit once hitting the front until Sky Painter came at her, something
that could prove costly this time around.

OTHERS — MY CONQUESTADORY brings a perfect two-for-two mark into the
Juvenile Fillies Turf, and could very well extend that to an unbeaten three
straight. The Mark Casse pupil took her maiden debut against the boys in the
Summer going a mile on Woodbine’s turf in mid-September, then returned
three weeks later to add the Alcibiades to her resume while running on Keeneland’s Polytrack. The Artie Schiller filly appears the one to beat but
likely won’t offer much value, especially from the disadvantageous post 14, which is why she’s not in our top three.

AL THAKHIRA is one of the three international runners and boasts an unbeaten
two-for-two mark, including victory in an English Group 2. The Dubawi filly
would have made the top three if not for the fact both of those wins came over
soft going and Santa Anita’s turf is hardly ever anything but ultra firm. Fellow Europeans and Group 1 winners VORDA and
CHRISELLIAM will also be trying new circumstances and could find it too much to overcome.

NESSO and COLONEL JOAN were second and third, respectively, behind Clenor in
the Surfer Girl, and are the only ones beside her with prior experience over
Santa Anita’s turf. That could come in handy as the pair seek to avenge their
loss on Friday.