Breeders' Cup International Horse Profile: Mise en Scene

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Prestige (G3) winner Mise en Scene has loads of potential for next year, but could be ready to make her presence felt in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She exits a useful fourth in the Fillies’ Mile (G1), which has produced one Juvenile Fillies’ Turf winner (Chriselliam in 2013) as well as a couple of placers in this race more recently.

Mise en Scene is bred on the same cross as European champions Sottsass and St Mark’s Basilica – by Siyouni and out of a Galileo mare. Mise en Scene’ s dam is a half-sister to Speciosa, the 1000 Guineas (G1) heroine of 2006, from the family of multiple Group 1 star Pride and recent Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) vixen Zellie.

The Qatar Racing runner is a headliner for fledgling trainer James Ferguson, who recently celebrated his first Group 1 score with El Bodegon in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1). The son of John Ferguson (best known for his former role with Godolphin), James has learned the craft from such practitioners as Sir Mark Prescott, Jessica Harrington, and Charlie Appleby.

Well backed at 5-2 for her July 2 Haydock unveiling, Mise en Scene traveled sweetly just off the pace, switched outside still on the bridle, and accelerated to a four-length victory. The slow tempo in the nearly seven-furlong affair put a premium on her sharp finishing speed.

Mise en Scene not only handled her first class test in the Prestige at Goodwood, but the 7-1 shot hinted of exceptional ability by running down the favorite who’d appeared to get the decisive jump. Tucked just behind the leader on the rail around the right-handed turn, Mise en Scene shifted out upon straightening and began to be asked. But 7-2 favorite Daneh quickened from a more forward position and skipped clear in what usually would be the winning move. Mise en Scene responded to catch her by a neck in 1:25.30, a solid time for seven furlongs over that course. Finishing third was Prosperous Voyage, later runner-up to presumptive champion filly Inspiral in both the May Hill (G2) and Fillies’ Mile (G1), and Hello You was fourth.

In that Fillies’ Mile, Mise en Scene lost her perfect record in fourth, while f ailing to confirm her Prestige form with Prosperous Voyage. But there were extenuating circumstances in a better-than-appears effort. Regular rider Oisin Murphy missed his mounts at Newmarket that day, and young Cieren Fallon was a late substitute. Mise en Scene was shuffled back to last and out of position when Inspiral was putting the race away. Gaining belatedly on good-to-soft going, Mise en Scene overtook Wild Beauty (the impressive Natalma [G1] winner) and just missed second in a three-way finish with Prosperous Voyage and Cachet. Not that she could have threatened the winner, but Mise en Scene might have been second-best on merit.

Mise en Scene arrives at Del Mar lacking the ideal amount of experience, and post 13 adds to the challenge. But she quickens smartly on better ground. If Murphy can work out a decent trip in striking range, she’s a major contender for the Juvenile Fillies Turf.