Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Tips & Betting Preview

Leading Breeders’ Cup jockey Mike Smith is hot property for these Championships and he rides the Bob Baffert trained American Gal (10/1) who looks good value to land the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. This Concord Point filly by American Story is stepping up to the extended mile after two comfortable victories to date. The most recent of those wins came here at Santa Anita where she routed the field when going off the 1/10 favourite over the six furlongs. The question has to be asked; can she and will she appreciate the step up to 8.5 furlongs? Well, Bob Baffert is one of the shrewdest trainers in America and he wouldn’t put her into the race unless he felt she got a mile. She has so much speed and, if she has some stamina to match, she will be a tough horse to beat. Her dam American Story was second in a Grade 2 and is by Ghostzapper who was 2004 American Horse of the Year, so the pedigree is certainly very decent. The draw could have been kinder, but it is what it is.

1 COLORFUL CHARADES – Discreet Cat filly who won her maiden at Saratoga in June but she was beat 10+ lengths back in third behind Yellow Agate in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park last time out. She is easily opposed off the back of that effort and looks well up against it.

2 WITH HONORS – Interesting runner; filly that is well bred by War Front and, as we know, War Front’s progeny tend to excel on fast ground as two-year-olds. Two time winner at Del Mar then went down by half a length when second to Noted And Quoted in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes over course and distance last time out. Each way player.

3 VALADORNA – Mark Casse trained filly by Curlin who will have no trip concerns, a staying on second over a mile at Churchill Downs in September before bolting up in a maiden at Keeneland when last seen. Hard to know how good that form was, but she couldn’t have been more impressive.

4 YELLOW AGATE – Gemologist filly trained by Cristophe Clement who won her maiden at Belmont Park. She was very well backed for the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes in New York last time out and went on to score by a head, 10 lengths clear of the remainder. Exciting filly and deserves a lot of respect.

5 SWEET LORETTA – Todd Pletcher trained filly by Tapit who is on a good upward curve, landing three victories in a row to date. She won her maiden in great style before winning a Grade 2 at Saratoga very easily. After that run we knew she was a Grade 1 filly and she dead heated for first place in the Spinaway Stakes when last seen. Massive run is expected once more.

6 CHAMPAGNE ROOM – Inconsistent filly who hails from the Peter Eurton stable. Won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in August and solid third to Union Strike in the Grade 1 Debutante Stakes over 7 furlongs. Well beaten when fourth in the Chandelier Stakes last time out here at Santa Anita and more needed.

7 JAMYSON ‘N GINGER – Beaten eight lengths by Yellow Agate at Belmont Park in September, but left that form well behind when hacking up by more than 15 lengths in a Belmont maiden last time out. This is a big step in class, but at least she comes here off the back of a huge win which should give her confidence.

8 DANCING RAGS – Victorious in a Laurel Park maiden in September and then went on to win the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland last month. She loves a fast mile and at 14/1 she could offer a bit of value, looks a bit too big.

9 UNION STRIKE – Craig Dollase trained filly by Union Rags. Showed a great turn of foot to win the Grade 1 Debutante Stakes very comfortably at Del Mar when last seen, reversing the form with American Cleopatra. Massive player if she can build on that for a shrewd trainer.

10 NOTED AND QUOTED – Trained by the imperious Bob Baffert who is always worth a market check. Won a maiden at Del Mar by 9.5 lengths in August, but was well beaten in the Debutante Stakes behind Union Strike, six lengths behind the winner. Won the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes over course and distance last time out, but still has work to do to reverse the form with some of her rivals.

11 DADDYS LIL DARLING – Kenneth McPeek trained filly who is very well bred by Scat Daddy. Grade 2 winner at Churchill Downs over the slow mile before finishing a length behind Dancing Rags in a Grade 1 at Keeneland last time out. Another with a solid place chance.

12 AMERICAN GAL – Stepping into the unknown trip wise, but this filly by Concord Point couldn’t have been more impressive to date. She has so much speed and, if she can last an extra couple of furlongs, she will take a lot of beating. Wide draw is a slight concern, but she likes to race prominently and if she gets to the front she could set ferocious fractions.