How to bet the 2021 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Normally, the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) is billed as a showdown between the American home team and the always-formidable European raiders. But the 2021 renewal on Saturday at Del Mar is introducing a third flavor to the mix.

#8 Loves Only You (4-1) is a rare Breeders’ Cup participant based in Japan, where she’s long ranked as one of the best fillies and mares in training. Victorious in her first four starts, including the 2019 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1), Loves Only You endured some struggles in 2020, going 0-for-5 while placing only twice.

But Loves Only You has turned things around in a big way for 2021. During the spring, she ran third against males in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), beaten only half a length by European star Mishriff. Then Loves Only You traveled to Hong Kong for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1), which she won nicely by three-quarters of a length.

Loves Only You prepped for the Breeders’ Cup with a solid runner-up effort in the Aug. 22 Sapporo Kinen (G2), where she lost by less than a length to Japanese classic winner Sodashi while beating a bevy of male rivals. Squaring off against fellow fillies and mares at Del Mar ought to prove most suitable for Loves Only You, who should also find the firm course conditions to her liking. In short, Loves Only You rates a strong chance to become Japan’s first winner at the Breeders’ Cup.

As for the rest of the Filly & Mare Turf entrants, stretch-running #7 War Like Goddess (7-2) looks like the best of the home team after posting four straight graded wins, including a 2 1/4-length score in the Flower Bowl S. (G1). And five-time Group 1 winner #6 Love (4-1) has to be viewed as the most formidable of the European shippers after beating reigning Filly & Mare Turf winner #12 Audarya (5-1) in Royal Ascot’s June 16 Prince of Wales’s S. (G1).

We won’t get too creative with our wagers. First, we’ll place a $10 win bet on Loves Only You—bettors who opt-in to the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Money Back 2nd and 3rd promotion will receive a refund if she settles for second or third place. Then we’ll key Loves Only You on top of exacta and trifecta tickets using the other logical favorites and #1 Going to Vegas (12-1) underneath.

Betting the Filly & Mare Turf:

• $10 to win on #8 Loves Only You
• $4 Exacta: 8 with 6,7 ($8)
• $2 Trifecta: 8 with 6,7 with 1,6,7,12 ($12)
• Total: $30

Good luck!

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The video below contains all available race replays for Breeders' Cup contenders' last racing effort, for your handicapping ease. TwinSpires has your back!

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