Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

BREEDERS' CUP FRIDAY

PREVIEWS

BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

TURF (G1), 9TH-SA, $1,000,000, 2YO, F, 1MT, 6:50PM, 11-1

Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf features a contentious, and very

well-matched, full field of 14 going a mile on Santa Anita's turf. There are

three overseas challengers and two other European campaigners who have joined

the barns of American trainers ahead of Friday's race.

One of those in the latter category is Clenor, and the Irish-bred miss holds

the distinction of taking Santa Anita's local prep for the Juvenile Fillies Turf

over course and distance. Despite that, we think a 12-1 morning-line shot has a

very good chance of continuing her owners' recent remarkable run.

1ST -- KITTEN KABOODLE is bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have

been taking down records left, right and center this year.

The Ramseys were leading owners at Saratoga's meet, scored a record nine wins

for the Kentucky Downs title and broke a Keeneland fall meet record that had

stood since 1968 (and they had tied in 2012) when earning 17 victories at that

Lexington, Kentucky, track's recent stand. The husband and wife team also

captured the 2011 edition of the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Stephanie's Kitten,

who in three starts this year has won the Just a Game and Distaff Turf Mile

as well as run a close third in the Diana.

That being said, Kitten Kaboodle earned the right to be the 2013 top choice

by her own merits. The chestnut daughter of Kitten's Joy began her career with

Wayne Catalano at Saratoga but was unable to help her owners take the title at

that New York venue when runner-up in both her starts there going 1 1/16 miles.

Subsequently transferred to trainer Chad Brown's shedrow, Kitten Kaboodle

broke her maiden in spectacular fashion at Keeneland when running away for a 4

3/4-length victory in the Jessamine. She shipped back to Brown's barn at

Belmont Park and has consistently posted competitive half-mile moves in

readiness for Friday's race.

Kitten Kaboodle will have the services of jockey John Velazquez for the first

time in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which can only help her chances even more.

2ND -- While tabbing Kitten Kaboodle, it must be noted CLENOR will be very

tough to beat and that's why she's the second choice here. The bay miss actually

has been unbeatable since coming stateside and all in California.

Clenor never showed much in Ireland, running fifth and fourth in a pair of

maiden contests before filling the third spot in a Group 3 contest in late June.

Just over a month later the Oratorio filly was running away with her initial win

by 2 1/2 lengths going a mile on Del Mar's turf, and followed up with a 3

1/4-length victory in the Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Instead of shipping his charge cross country for graded credit, trainer Doug

O'Neill kept his eye on the Breeders' Cup prize and saddled Clenor to a game

three-quarter length triumph in the Surfer Girl, Santa Anita's prep for Friday's

contest.

Clenor has recorded just two works since then, but made them count when

blazing a half-mile in :47 1/5 on October 18 and speeding four furlongs last

Friday in :48 2/5, both on Santa Anita's green. Local leading rider Rafael

Bejarano has been in the saddle for all of the filly's U.S. starts and retains

the mount for the Breeders' Cup.

3RD -- Like Clenor, TESTA ROSSI crossed the pond early, though she took up

residence in Brown's barn at Belmont. The French-bred brought with her a

three-race win streak that was stretched to four entering the Juvenile Fillies

Turf thanks to victory in the Miss Grillo on October 6.

Testa Rossi was last of 11 in that 8 1/2-furlong affair, but found herself in

front with a length to spare in the stretch. The chestnut daughter of Dr Fong

had to battle for the victory with SKY PAINTER, just holding that rival by a

nose on the wire.

Testa Rossi proved herself over a firm course in the Miss Grillo, warranting

a place among our picks, but will need to keep to task if she hopes to win on

Friday. Jockey Jose Lezcano said after the Miss Grillo that Testa Rossi began

pulling up a bit once hitting the front until Sky Painter came at her, something

that could prove costly this time around.

OTHERS -- MY CONQUESTADORY brings a perfect two-for-two mark into the

Juvenile Fillies Turf, and could very well extend that to an unbeaten three

straight. The Mark Casse pupil took her maiden debut against the boys in the

Summer going a mile on Woodbine's turf in mid-September, then returned

three weeks later to add the Alcibiades to her resume while running on Keeneland's Polytrack. The Artie Schiller filly appears the one to beat but

likely won't offer much value, especially from the disadvantageous post 14, which is why she's not in our top three.

AL THAKHIRA is one of the three international runners and boasts an unbeaten

two-for-two mark, including victory in an English Group 2. The Dubawi filly

would have made the top three if not for the fact both of those wins came over

soft going and Santa Anita's turf is hardly ever anything but ultra firm. Fellow Europeans and Group 1 winners VORDA and

CHRISELLIAM will also be trying new circumstances and could find it too much to overcome.

NESSO and COLONEL JOAN were second and third, respectively, behind Clenor in

the Surfer Girl, and are the only ones beside her with prior experience over

Santa Anita's turf. That could come in handy as the pair seek to avenge their

loss on Friday.