BC Filly & Mare Turf

BREEDERS’ CUP
PREVIEWS

An outstanding octet of turf distaffers will travel 1 1/4 miles in Friday’s
$2 million Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and defending champ FOREVER TOGETHER
(Belong to Me) is our top pick. She’s finished in the money in all five starts
this season against the top of her division, including a score in the Diana S.
(G1), and netted 118 and 117 BRIS Late Pace ratings in her recent outings. The
classy champion has not gotten the firm turf that she desires in four of her
starts this campaign, and we wouldn’t look too far into her third-place showing
last out as it was clearly a prep for this. Some probably think she’s lost a
step, but we think she’s sitting on a big one under Julien Leparoux.

PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) never picked up her feet in this one last campaign but
is capable of a huge turnaround with her best for trainer Robert Holthus. The
chestnut four-year-old romped in the Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) last out
over soft turf, and we’re fairly certain that she is much better on the firm
going. The Kentucky-bred won the American Oaks Invitational S. (G1) in
California last year, proving the weather should not hold her back, and if she
gets a target to run down, she just might. Garrett Gomez picks up the mount.

MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) was almost our top selection as she enters off
a pair of superb efforts overseas and has the most upside as a three-year-old.
First in the field based on BRIS Class ratings, the Juddmonte homebred has put
in an excellent 2009, including a facile score in the competitive Nassau S.
(Eng-G1) two back, and she ran a winning race when third in the Prix de l’Opera
(Fr-G1) last out. Conditioner Henry Cecil is as good as they get, and this one’s
versatile running style could separate her from all of the one-run closers in
here.

RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit) has never run this far but is in excellent form and
can’t be dismissed for Christophe Clement. The 11-time winner has finished in
the top three in every start in 2009, earning BRIS Late Pace numbers of 116 and
113, and should be primed for a major showing if she can endure the 1 1/4-mile
trip beneath Alan Garcia. The way she adores the lengthy stretch at Woodbine
indicates that 10 panels might be just right.

MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) has rolled to a trio of Grade 1 wins in
succession for Paddy Gallagher and rates as the top local threat in this one.
The chestnut filly has a huge closing kick but has proven to be more tractable
this season, and her perfect mark in two tries at this distance bodes well for
her chances in this test. This race is especially tough, meaning a clean trip is
of the most importance, so she has as good a chance as any if Alex Solis
finds clear sailing.

VISIT (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) was an excellent fourth in this affair a year
ago (subsequently promoted to third) but did not build upon that showing in 2009, losing all seven starts. The
well-bred four-year-old showed signs of life with a hard-fought second in the
Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) most recently, offering further evidence that she loves
this lawn, and the dark bay should be in front or right off a slow early
tempo the rail. We could see her hanging on for a minor award at a square price.

We don’t like MARAM (Sahm) much in this spot, but we acknowledge the fact
that the filly is full of talent and not completely overmatched against this
field. A winner of the Juvenile Fillies Turf over a strong cast last year, the
lightly-raced sophomore just missed when third in the Pebbles S. in a perfect
prep for this last out. The dark bay is a big question mark at 10 furlongs, and
we are not thrilled that she drew widest of all, but a well-timed run and her
ability to run this far against this type could give her a top three chance at a
nice price. Multiple Grade 1 queen DYNAFORCE (Dynaformer) won the Beverly D. S.
(G1) two back before throwing in the towel early in the Flower Bowl for trainer
Bill Mott. The inconsistent but talented mare was an even eighth (subsequently
promoted to seventh) in this event a
year ago and faces an arguably better field this time around, so we’ll pass on
the six-year-old.