BC Internationals: Filly & Mare Turf contender Senga

Blame, who famously spoiled Zenyatta’s grand finale in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), could crash the farewell party of another beloved mare in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) – through his daughter Senga, who takes on Lady Eli at Del Mar.

Unlike defending champion Queen’s Trust, Rhododendron, and Nezwaah, all of whom have various reasons to prefer a longer race, Senga may be quite happy at 1 1/8 miles. And she’s drawn much better than they are in post 2.

As a Niarchos Family homebred, she sports the silks of six past Breeders’ Cup winners. Her trainer, Pascal Bary, has sent out two of the Niarchos victors, Domedriver and Six Perfections, in back-to-back runnings of the Mile (2002-03). The family’s other Breeders’ Cup stars include Mile legend Miesque and Turf (G1) champion Main Sequence, and current Turf threat Ulysses seeks to add to their trophy cabinet.

Senga’s pedigree is filled with American influences. She is out of Beta Leo, a daughter of A.P. Indy and French highweight juvenile filly Denebola, by Storm Cat. Senga’s third dam is the Mr. Prospector mare Coup de Genie, also the top two-year-old filly in France and a full sister to another French champion juvenile in Machiavellian – the sire of Street Cry (who gave us Zenyatta and Winx). Among the many stars arising from this family is 2004 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) hero, Bago.

During a promising juvenile season, Senga was second in her Deauville debut (click link for replay) before beating Andre Fabre’s odds-on colt Last Kingdom in a Saint-Cloud conditions race. She took a class hike for the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), where she rattled home for fourth from too far off a steady pace. The victorious Wuheida (whose Filly & Mare Turf profile is forthcoming) benefited from her tactically advantageous position.

Senga won her reappearance in a classic trial, the April 16 Prix de la Grotte (G3), after securing better early position. Runner-up La Sardane came right back to win (see below), and third-placer Lady Frankel eventually captured the Prix de Lieurey (G3), so the form was solid enough for an early-season prep.