BC Internationals: Juvenile Fillies Turf contenders

Literally half of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) field is composed of European shippers or recent imports. With Aidan O’Brien’s dynamic duo leading the way, the international fillies arguably have a stronger case than the less proven boys in the Juvenile Turf (G1).

Here are their mini-profiles, in order of preference:

SEPTEMBER

I’ve been rapt by this daughter of Japanese legend Deep Impact and European co-champion Peeping Fawn since she spread-eagled the field in her Leopardstown unveiling. The O’Brien pupil was subsequently favored over the boys in the Chesham at Royal Ascot (click link for replay), where she was farther behind than expected due to a problematic start, but kicked into top gear late to win going away. The third-placer was Juvenile Turf contender Masar, who went on to win the Solario (G3). September left her fans deflated by her two ensuing starts at the Curragh, winding up fourth in the Debutante (G2) and third in the Moyglare (G1). Stablemates Happily (the Juvenile Fillies Turf favorite) and Magical beat her both times, but there were extenuating circumstances: September had a two-month break going into the soft-ground Debutante, and the ground was abysmal in the Moyglare. Back on a quick surface and fully cranked for the Fillies’ Mile (G1) at Newmarket, September took a gigantic step forward and ought to have won outright but for bad luck in running. Watch how she (dark Magnier silks) is strung up behind horses before breaking free, flying up the rising ground, and overtaking Laurens right after the wire. Aside from the visual impression, she totally reversed form with Magical (fourth):

Laurens (nearest to camera) just beats September to land the bet365 Fillies' Mile

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Although she lacks size, September is the offspring of parents who excelled with maturity, and I’m hopeful that there’s much more to come from her.

HAPPILY

As a full sister to dual classic-winning champion Gleneagles, this O’Brien trainee is entitled to thrive on firm turf, so it’s no surprise that her biggest margin of victory came in her one and only opportunity on a faster surface. She streaked five lengths clear in the Silver Flash (G3) at Leopardstown straight off her maiden score. But Happily is no less effective on rain-softened going, in that respect resembling another full sibling, Marvellous, who upset the 2014 Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) in those conditions. Their dam, 2007 Cherry Hinton (G2) winner You’resothrilling, was similarly ground-versatile, as was her famous full brother, “Iron Horse” Giant’s Causeway. Happily, although second to Magical in the Debutante, gained revenge in a Moyglare thriller on desperate going, then scored an historic victory over males (including aforementioned Masar) in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) on Arc Day. She became the first filly to win since 1986:

Not to dampen enthusiasm for her top effort, but it must be pointed out that the Lagardere time was a full second slower than the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) for two-year-old fillies one race earlier on Arc Day. Happily’s hopes to wheel back 12 days later for the Fillies’ Mile were dashed by her reportedly spiking a temperature. O’Brien told “At the Races” that she had a “slightly bad scope, but she didn’t miss any important work because of it and it shouldn’t have any bearing on her chance this week.” Ryan Moore accordingly sticks with her in preference to September.

CAPLA TEMPTRESS

By the Shamardal stallion Lope De Vega and out of a half-sister to 2009 Arlington Million (G1) third Stotsfold, Capla Temptress was expertly brought along by original trainer Marco Botti. She debuted as a 20-1 longshot in a low-key event on the Chelmsford Polytrack, didn’t appear in it until deep stretch, then erupted between foes to prevail on the line. Capla Temptress was favored next time out at Newmarket, her first turf try, and made it two in a row by traveling smartly and drawing off. Scooped up by Team Valor thereafter, she rose in class for the Sweet Solera (G3) over the same course and seven-furlong trip and chased the front runners Tajaanus and Juliet Capulet (see below) home in third. She initially tacked closer to Tajaanus on the stands’ side before edging toward the main group in the center, but the indecision probably didn’t cost her a better finish. Aside from the future success of Juvenile Fillies Turf rival Juliet Capulet, the Sweet Solera has some other useful bits of form, through also-rans Mamba Noire (third in both the Duchess of Cambridge [G2] and Lowther [G2]) and Dance Diva (previously winner of the Empress and second in the Princess Margaret [G3]). Capla Temptress was off to Woodbine for the “Win & You’re In” Natalma (G1), demonstrating a potent kick to nab Dixie Moon (who re-opposes Friday) and Wonder Gadot (who I like in the Juvenile Fillies [G1] on dirt). Both were next-out stakes winners, with Dixie Moon beating the boys in the Cup and Saucer and Wonder Gadot smashing them in the Mazarine (G3):