BC Internationals: Turf contender Seventh Heaven

As surmised in her international profile for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, Seventh Heaven found 1 1/4 miles a bit too short for her in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Trainer Aidan O’Brien had considered a tilt versus older males in the Turf (G1) before ultimately keeping her in her own division, but now the high-class 1 1/2-mile performer appears set to get her chance – albeit at the end of an injury-blighted season.

Seventh Heaven was in career form last year, her sophomore campaign highlighted by a classic victory in the Irish Oaks (G1) and a defeat of a short-on-fitness Found and a non-staying Queen’s Trust in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1). Shortening up at Santa Anita, the daughter of Galileo was outpaced by Queen’s Trust, Lady Eli, and Avenge, but stayed on dourly in fourth.

Her 2017 campaign began brimming with promise. First sighted in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on World Cup night, she was a fine second to Jack Hobbs, handling the rain-softened ground more effectively than trailing Highland Reel.