BC Filly & Mare Sprint and Turf Races
Ventura and Forever Together Score in Breeders' Cup Renewals
Oct 27, 2008
Bobby Frankel-trained Ventura left no doubt about her win in the second annual Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park October 24. When called upon, the white-faced, dark bay zoomed into contention, rallied past early pacesetter Dearest Trickski, then aimed at champion favorite Indian Blessing, who had taken the lead.
Indian Blessing Gets Two Turns and Different Jockey
Ventura continued to fly across the Pro-Ride surface in pursuit of Indian Blessing, caught her rival by surprise at the eighth pole, and galloped off with the $1 million race by four decisive lengths in 1:19.90, a tick off Indian Blessing's track record. Although a proven winner, Indian Blessing experienced two turns for the first time in the seven furlongs race.
Jockey John Velazquez, who rode Indian Blessing in normal stalking fashion coming off the far turn (in place of the injured Corey Nakatani), had great praise for the rallying effort displayed by Ventura. "Wow!" he said after the race. He had taken a look back and saw no one coming seconds before Ventura blew by, he reported.
Zaftig got up for third in the race over Miraculous Miss.
Maryfield Won First BC Filly and Mare Sprint
In last season's inaugural Breeders's Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, Maryfield cruised to victory through the Monmouth slop under Elvis Trujillo. Miraculous Miss was second with Jeremy Rose riding, and Miss Macy Sue finished third. Eusebio Razo, Jr. guided Miss Macy Sue.
Tenth Edition of the BC Filly and Mare Turf
The BC Filly and Mare Turf has been run at several different distances in its first ten seasons. In 1999 and 2000 and 2004, a distance of 1-3/8 miles was used. The race was switched to a run of 1-1/4 miles in 2001 through 2003.
Since 2005, the distance of 1-1/4 miles has been used in the $2 million event.
Forever Together Beat Two Champions in BC F&M Turf
Sealy Hill, Canadian champion and 2007 Horse of the Year, and Wait a While, a two-time Yellow Ribbon Stakes champion, couldn't find an answer in the stretch for the gray lady Forever Together in the $2 Million Filly and Mare Turf Breeders' Cup World Championships on "Filly Friday" October 24. The two champions finished second and third to Forever Together.
Jonathan Sheppard, trainer of Forever Together, was a Racing Hall of Fame inductee primarily for his work with steeplechase runners, as well as for flat racers. Forever Together provided him with his first major championship in flat racing.
Forever Together boosted her career earnings to $2,004,533 with the win, her seventh from 14 starts.
Previous Winners of the BC Filly and Mare Turf
The ten winners of the BC Filly and Mare Turf include the following:
2008 -- Forever Together; 2007 -- Lahudood; 2006 -- Quija Board (GB); 2005 -- Intercontinental; 2004 -- Quija Board (GB); 2003 -- Islington (IRE); 2002 -- Starine (FR); 2001 -- Banks Hill (GB); 2000 -- Perfect Sting; 1999 -- Soaring Softly.
