BC F&M Turf

Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) shapes up as a
showdown between the globetrotting mare OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]),
flying the flag for England, and smashing sophomore WAIT A WHILE (Maria’s Mon),
spearheading the American defense. Preferring to side with experience and
established class over promising youth in this 1 3/8-mile contest at Churchill
Downs, we’ll take Ouija Board to capture her second Filly & Mare Turf.

Ouija Board has been competing against males with distinction for two years,
but she’s been better than ever in 2006. The Ed Dunlop trainee defeated Dubai
World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Electrocutionist in the Prince of Wales’s S. (Eng-G1)
at Royal Ascot and was second to reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) victor
Shirocco (Ger) in the Coronation Cup (Eng-G1). Last time out, Ouija Board was
just denied in the Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) by Irish Derby (Ire-G1) hero Dylan
Thomas (Ire) (Danehill). Honored as Europe’s Horse of the Year in 2004, she
landed that year’s Epsom Oaks (Ire-G1), Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) and Filly & Mare
Turf and finished a barnstorming but troubled third in the Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe (Fr-G1). Her 2005 season was compromised by injury, but Dunlop brought
her back in time to defend her Breeders’ Cup title, and the dark bay finished a
commendable runner-up to a loose-on-the-lead Intercontinental (GB). This time
around, Ouija Board is in razor-sharp form, and there should be an honest pace
to set up her lethal closing kick. The inimitable Frankie Dettori will reunite
with her here.

Wait a While is unbeaten from four career starts on the turf. The Todd
Pletcher filly demolished a solid group in the American Oaks Invitational S.
(G1), ran away from the highly regarded Lady of Venice (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) in
the Lake Placid S. (G2), and then in her first start versus elders, romped by a
stakes-record 4 1/2 lengths in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) in her latest effort.
Although the gray is facing her toughest test in this spot, she projects a
tactically advantageous stalk-and-pounce trip beneath Garrett Gomez. Wait a
While will likely set sail for home leaving the far turn, and unleashing her
usual triple-digit BRIS Late Pace ratings, could prove difficult to catch. As a
three-year-old, she gets a four-pound break in the weights and will shoulder
just 119 pounds.

Pletcher’s second entrant, HONEY RYDER (Lasting Approval), is a battle
hardened veteran with a sterling five-for-six mark at the distance. The 10-time
stakes queen is coming off a narrow but decisive score in the 1 1/4-mile Flower
Bowl Invitational S. (G1) over FILM MAKER (Dynaformer), and she’ll love the
extra furlong here. Honey Ryder will stay on strongly in the closing stages and
should garner a minor award.

French shipper SATWA QUEEN (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) has strong European form,
having taken a tough Group 2 at Deauville and most recently finished a bang-up
second in the Prix de l’Opera (Fr-G1) on Arc weekend. The four-year-old figures
to take up a forward tracking position and could hang on for a piece of the
purse at a nice price. MAURALAKANA’s (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) European results
weren’t as encouraging this season, but the sophomore has turned in two
excellent outings since coming to the United States and joining Patrick Biancone.
She racked up a 122 Late Pace rating for her hard-charging second in the Queen
Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) last time out and should come
flying late with Julien Leparoux.

Film Maker deserves respect for having placed in the last two editions of the
Filly & Mare Turf, and with her best effort, she can be involved at the finish
once again. She has a penchant for finding trouble, however, and must carve out
a clean trip to take the spoils. GERMANCE (Silver Hawk) won four of five
European starts this year, including a tally in the Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1) in May, and
was a deceptively good fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II in her American bow. The
bay will enjoy stepping up in trip and looms as an interesting longshot with
Christophe Soumillon in the saddle. QUIET ROYAL (Royal Academy) also made her
American premiere in the Queen Elizabeth II, finishing a creditable third, and
is eligible to move forward with first-time Lasix in her first start for
Pletcher.

The regally bred MY TYPHOON (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) hasn’t had much success
in Grade 1 company, nor has she raced beyond 1 1/8 miles. The likely pacesetter,
DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet), is as game and genuine as they come, but she’ll
face pressure from Wait a While and My Typhoon. Moreover, Dancing Edie was well
beaten by Wait a While when second in the Yellow Ribbon, and we can’t see her
being any closer in this far tougher spot.