The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf brings together the best 2-year-old female turf horses from North America and overseas for a 1 mile test on the grass course.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

The 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf will be held at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Friday, November 1. Bet & watch the race with OffTrackBetting.com (OTB) - US Legal Online Wagering.

RESULTS: LAKE VICTORIA (IRE) STAYS PERFECT IN TAKING JOHN DEERE BREEDERS' CUP

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2024) - Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier's undefeated Lake Victoria (IRE) ($3.40) swooped past longtime leader Thought Process at the juvenile fillies turf victory eighth pole en route to a 1 ½-length victory over May Day Ready to win the 17th running of the $1 million John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Friday.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Lake Victoria completed the mile on a firm turf course in 1:34.28. It is the 19th victory in the World Championships for O'Brien and 15th for Moore. It is their second win together in this race, having scored with Meditate (IRE) at Keeneland in 2022.

Thought Process opened an uncontested lead and continued unopposed while Lake Victoria was getting a ground-saving trip from Moore. At the top of the stretch, Lake Victoria swung three-wide for clear sailing, passed Thought Process at the eighth pole and had more than enough to hold off May Day Ready. Nitrogen rallied for third, a length in back of May Day Ready.

Now undefeated in five starts, Lake Victoria is a 2-year-old daughter of Frankel (GB) out of the Showcasing mare Quiet Reflection (GB). The victory, her third Grade or Group 1 tally, was worth $520,000 and increased her earnings to $1,043,427.

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Abientot

In her graded stakes debut, Abientot said farewell to 11 other 2-year-old fillies in the Matron Stakes (G3) at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 6. Although she had to go six-wide racing into the upper stretch, Abientot closed with purpose and got up in the final strides of the 6-furlong turf contest to win by a neck.

Abientot came into the Matron off a third-place finish in the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 8. She raced mid-pack in the 12-horse field, and although she came running late, she ran out of time. Kilwin won the 6 ½-furlong turf race by a half-length over Shezafunkydrummer, who was three-quarters of a length ahead of Abientot.

In her stakes debut, Abientot finished seventh and last in the Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 18. However, the 5 ½-furlong race was taken off the turf. Abientot had broken her maiden in her previous start, which came in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the grass at Saratoga on July 18.

Abientot made her first career start at Belmont at the Big A on June 21, where she finished fourth in a field of nine in a maiden special weight on the grass.

Mark Casse trains Abientot for Tracy Farmer. Killora Stud bred Abientot in Kentucky, and Farmer bought her for $210,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale.

The Not This Time filly is out of the unraced More Than Ready mare Ready Ready Ready. Abientot is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Mr. Hustle, who won Canada's Sovereign Award for champion 2-year-old colt in 2019.

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Anshoda (IRE)

While Anshoda (IRE) may have a humble pedigree, no one has told the 2-year-old filly that. In just her third career start, she won the William Hill Prestige Stakes (G3) at Goodwood on Aug. 24 by 1 ¾ lengths over Duty First (GB).

With that score, Anshoda also earned a spot in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) through the Win and You're In series. Adding even more to the occasion, David Loughnane trains the bay filly, and his 18-year-old son, Billy, rode her to victory in the 7-furlong turf contest.

Stretching out to a mile in her next start, the Betfred May Hill Stakes (G2) at Doncaster on Sept. 12, Anshoda set a pressured pace but weakened after 6 furlongs and faded to sixth in the field of nine and finished 7 ¾ lengths behind the victorious Desert Flower (IRE).

Anshoda was talented from the beginning. She made her racing debut on June 22 at Lingfield in England in a field of 13, and she prevailed by a neck in the 7-furlong contest. In her second start, Anshoda took on stakes company in the listed European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes at Sandown on July 25. Again going 7 furlongs, this time she finished second, beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Celestial Orbit (GB) in a field of 10.

Loughnane trains Anshoda for Team Valor LLC and Gary Barber. They bought the filly privately ahead of her start at Goodwood. In May, her former owner, Nawaf Almutairi, purchased her for just 5,000gns (US$7,000) at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale.

Anshoda was bred in Ireland by the Silk Fan Syndicate. She is by Inns Of Court (IRE) and out of the Unfuwain mare Silk Fan (IRE).

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Bubbling (IRE)

** coming soon **

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Destino d'Oro

A quick study, Destino d'Oro became an eye-catching winner in her very first career start. The 2-year-old filly made her racing debut on Aug. 31 in a maiden special weight at Kentucky Downs.

A field of 12 fillies lined up for the turf contest going a mile. Destino d'Oro raced near the back of the pack before making her move entering the stretch and taking the lead in commanding fashion. She pulled away to win by 2 ¼ lengths over Golden Sunshine, who in turn was 8 ¼ lengths in front of the next competitor.

For her next race, Destino d'Oro stepped up to graded stakes company in the Oct. 4 Jessamine Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales (G2). She faced 10 other fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Destino d'Oro did not have the cleanest trip, as she was bumped by an inner rival into an outer foe and clipped heels soon after the start. She raced in the rear of the field but remained willing, going seven-wide into the lane to put in her run. She ultimately finished third in a photo finish. May Day Ready was a nose ahead of Totally Justified, who was a nose in front of Destino d'Oro. The next competitor was 2 ½ lengths behind.

Brad Cox trains Destino d'Oro for Steve Landers Racing. The operation purchased the bay filly for $185,000 this year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s April 2-year-old in training sale.

Destino d'Oro was bred in Kentucky by Hurstland Farm and James H. Greene Jr. She is by Bolt d'Oro and out of the grade stakes-placed Lion Heart mare Heart of Destiny, who finished second in the 2011 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) behind future Breeders' Cup heroine Stephanie's Kitten.

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Fiery Lucy (GB)

Fiery Lucy (GB) already has made six career starts, and she was first or second in five of them.

She made her racing debut at Cork in Ireland on May 21. Facing 12 other fillies, Fiery Lucy showed keen interest in the 5-furlong turf contest and barely missed in her first start, finishing second by a head.

Fiery Lucy ran next at Fairyhouse on June 14. This time she took on 16 other 2-year-olds in a 6-furlong race, and she refused to be denied. Fiery Lucy won at second asking by 2 ¼ lengths.

Off that winning effort, Fiery Lucy traveled to England to run in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (G2) on July 12. The Newmarket race drew a field of 11, and Fiery Lucy faded inside the final furlong to finish ninth. She was 7 ¼ lengths behind the winner, Arabian Dusk (GB).

Fiery Lucy then returned to Ireland, where she became stakes-placed after running well in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes on Aug. 5. She finished second of 21 runners in that 6-furlong contest at Naas, beaten 1 ¼ lengths by Heavens Gate (IRE).

For her next start, Fiery Lucy took on Group company again, this time going a mile in the Aug. 31 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (G3) at the Curragh. She finished second, beaten 1 ½ lengths by Dreamy (IRE).

Fiery Lucy then faced Heavens Gate again in the Sept. 29 Weld Park Stakes (G3) at the Curragh. This time, she was a much closer second to that foe, losing by a neck in the 7-furlong race.

Gavin Cromwell trains Fiery Lucy for Lindsay Laroche and the Dunphy Family Syndicate. She was bred in Great Britain by Whatton Manor Stud.

Fiery Lucy is by Without Parole (GB) and out of the Dubawi (IRE) mare Craighall (GB).

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Heavens Gate (IRE)

Group 3 winner Heavens Gate (IRE) has had a busy juvenile season. She has made seven starts and has never been worse than fourth. Her latest race was also her biggest victory to date. Heavens Gate won the 7-furlong Weld Park Stakes (G3) at the Curragh by a neck over Fiery Lucy (GB) on Sept. 29.

In her career debut on May 7, Heavens Gate finished second in a 5-furlong race at Navan. Off that effort, she broke her maiden at second asking by 2 ¼ lengths in a 6-furlong race at the Curragh on May 26.

After that victory, Heavens Gate competed at Royal Ascot, where she finished third in the June 21 Albany Stakes (G3) going 6 furlongs against 15 other fillies. She then finished third going 6 furlongs again in the July 12 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.

On Aug. 5, Heavens Gate raced again in Ireland, this time at Naas where she won the 6-furlong Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths over Fiery Lucy and 19 other fillies.

Heavens Gate then returned to England, where she finished fourth in the 6-furlong Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (G2) on Aug. 22 at York.

Aidan O'Brien trains Heavens Gate for Coolmore. She was bred in Ireland by Whisperview Trading Ltd, which is the training and bloodstock operation owned by the O'Brien family.

Heavens Gate is by Churchill (IRE) and out of the Danzig mare Itqaan.

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Kilwin

Kilwin has done nothing but impress thus far in her racing career. The 2-year-old filly made her racing debut at Ellis Park on July 27 in a maiden special weight. She was made the favorite in a field of nine taking on the 5 ½-furlong turf contest, and she did not disappoint as she pulled away to defeat her competition by 2 lengths.

Off of that winning debut, Kilwin stepped up to stakes company in her next start. She was again made the betting favorite, this time in the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 8. A field of 12 lined up for the 6 ½-furlong turf contest, and Kilwin was content to race in the back of the pack before unleashing her run and getting the victory by a half-length.

Rusty Arnold trains Kilwin for BBN Racing. The partnership group, which was founded in 2018 by Brian Klatsky, Braxton Lynch and Brendan O'Brien, bought the filly for $225,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale. A 25 percent fractional interest in Kilwin will be offered at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale on Oct. 30, in the paddock at Del Mar, site of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 1-2.

Gilder-Schwarz Farms, the operation of Wendy Schwarz Gilder and her brother Andrew Schwarz, bred Kilwin in Kentucky. The filly is by Twirling Candy and out of the unraced Blame mare Spanish Star, who has produced three stakes winners so far. Kilwin is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner One Timer as well as Just Basking, who won this year's Iowa Oaks (Listed) and also finished third in the Alabama Stakes (G1). Spanish Star is a half-sister to 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sir Winston.

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Lake Victoria

** coming soon **

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May Day Ready

May Day Ready was more than ready to make her mark at the races, as she made both her racing debut and stakes debut winning ones.

Her first start came on Aug. 4 at Saratoga, going 1 1/16 miles on the turf against a field of nine other fillies. Sent off at odds of 25-1, May Day Ready held off the late-charging Love Tempo (IRE) to get the win by a nose.

For her second start, May Day Ready headed south for the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes (Listed) on Sept. 8. A total of 12 fillies lined up for the mile contest. May Day Ready, who went four-wide leaving the turn, closed with intent and drew clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Frankie Dettori rode May Day Ready to victory both times.

Dettori was back aboard May Day Ready on Oct. 4 at Keeneland in the 1 1/16-mile Jessamine (G2) and once again rider and filly found the winner's circle. Splitting horses at the eighth pole, May Day Ready rallied in the final yards to nip Totally Justified by a nose with favored Destino d'Oro another nose back in third.

May Day Ready is trained by Joe Lee. While he may not be a household name, he has decades of experience with some of the top horses in the game. His time working for Godolphin also means he and Dettori go way back.

Lee trains May Day Ready for Lawrence Doyle's KatieRich Stables. It was Doyle who suggested racing at Kentucky Downs, and it proved to be a wise decision. He purchased the bay filly, who was born on May 1, or May Day, for $325,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales April 2-year-olds in training sale.

May Day Ready was bred by Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. By Tapit, she is out of the More than Ready mare Nemoralia. A Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed in Europe, Nemoralia also finished second in the 2015 Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont before finishing a close third in that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Keeneland.

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Scythian

Scythian has progressed with each race in her young career, and the 2-year-old filly became a graded stakes winner in her third start.

On Aug. 4, Scythian made her career debut in a maiden special weight at Saratoga. She chased the pace in the 6-furlong dirt contest but was a well beaten second, finishing 5 ¼ lengths behind the winner.

For her second start, Scythian made the switch to grass, and it paid dividends. On Aug. 30, she took on nine other juveniles going 1 1/16 miles over the turf at Saratoga. This time Scythian, who was sent off as the betting favorite, settled just off pace and put in her rally in the final furlong to beat the boys. Showing her gameness, she won by a head over Real Savvy. The third-place runner was 5 ¼ lengths behind.

Following her victory, Scythian made the move up to graded stakes company. She faced 11 other fillies in an eventful running of the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2) at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 6. Scythian tracked the pace in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest before making her bid. She ultimately put her rivals away by 2 ½ lengths. The Miss Grillo is a "Win and You're In" race for the John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Bill Mott trains the graded stakes winner for Lawrence Goichman. Scythian races as a homebred.

Scythian was bred in New York. She is by Tiz the Law and out of the stakes-winning Empire Maker mare Dean Henry, who also raced as a homebred for Goichman. Dean Henry is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) participant Read the Footnotes.

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Thought Process

Thought Process found the move from dirt to turf to her liking. Undefeated on grass, she is also a stakes winner over the surface.

Only July 27, the 2-year-old filly made her racing debut at Del Mar, going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt. She finished a well-beaten third of six, 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Her second start came on Aug. 17 going a mile over the turf, and it was a winning one. Sent off as the race favorite, Thought Process won the race comfortably, shedding her maiden tag as she pulled away to win by 3 ½ lengths.

For her third start, Thought Process stepped up to stakes company in the listed Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes on Sept. 7. The betting favorite once again, Thought Process rewarded her backers as she won the mile turf contest by 2 lengths.

Thought Process remained perfect on the grass in her next start, the 1-mile Surfer Girl (G3) at Santa Anita on Oct. 6. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite in the field of six, Thought Process was a 4 1/2-length winner.

Philip D'Amato trains Thought Process for a partnership group that includes Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones. Thought Process was bred in Kentucky by the late Jones. The former Kentucky governor and founder of Airdrie Stud died in September 2023.

Thought Process was offered for sale as a yearling twice and failed to meet her reserve both times. She is by Collected and out of the Creative Cause mare Creative Thinking, who was a stakes winner for Jones.

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Totally Justified

Totally Justified broke her maiden and became a stakes winner all at once when she took the listed P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28. The 2-year-old Justify filly raced close to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest, sitting second for most of the race. The filly made her move around the turn and took the lead in the upper stretch. She ended up winning by a half-length after holding off a late charge by odds-on favorite Virgin Colada.

Trained by Rusty Arnold, Totally Justified made her racing debut on June 28 at Churchill Downs in a maiden special weight going 6 furlongs on dirt. She finished fourth that day, beaten 2 lengths in a field of 11. Totally Justified then raced at Ellis Park on July 29 in a 1-mile dirt contest. She rallied to finish third, beaten 3 ½ lengths in a field of 11. She then made the move to turf at Saratoga, and it was a winning one.

Following the P.G. Johnson, Totally Justified returned to the races on Oct. 4 at Keeneland in the 1 1/16-mile Jessamine (G2). Totally Justified tracked the pace, moved to the front at the eighth pole only to be caught at the wire by a nose by May Day Ready.

Bregman Family Racing bought Totally Justified at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale for $285,000. Alex Bregman is third baseman for the Houston Astros.

Totally Justified is by Triple Crown winner Justify and out of the stakes-winning Galileo (IRE) mare Outstanding (IRE). She was bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt.

Outstanding, who is also the dam of multiple graded stakes winner Masteroffoxhounds, was Grade 1-placed during her racing career, finishing third to Lady Eli in the 2015 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1). She also is a full sister to Magician (IRE), winner of the 2013 Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), as well as Grade 3 winner Apple Betty (IRE).

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Virgin Colada

** coming soon **

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Vixen

Grade 1-placed Vixen has been precocious from the start. She made her racing debut on July 27 at Ellis Park in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight on the turf. Although she was bumped at the start and forced to race in the rear, she rallied to finish third in a field of nine.

Given her game effort, it is not too surprising she broke her maiden at second asking. This time, Vixen lined up against seven other fillies in a maiden special weight at Ellis on Aug. 19 going a mile on the turf. She stalked the pace early on before taking command in the stretch and drawing off to win by 4 ¾ lengths.

For her next race, Vixen jumped up to stakes company in the Sept. 14 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1) at Woodbine. Always forwardly placed in the 11-horse field, Vixen was game all the way to the wire but finished second by a neck to her stablemate And One More Time.

Mark Casse trains Vixen for D. J. Stable, LLC. The family run operation bought Vixen for $200,000 this April at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s 2-year-olds in training sale.

D. J. Stable won the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with Wonder Wheel, and they were victorious in the same race in 2018 as the co-owners of Jaywalk. Len Green and his late wife, Lois, named the stable after their children. Son Jonathan, who is also the host of the popular racing podcast Rail Talk, manages it now.

Vixen was bred in Kentucky by Jason Edward Howard. She is by Vekoma and out of the winning Noble Mission (GB) mare Top Mission.

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2024 BREEDERS' CUP RACE SCHEDULE

What is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf?

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is a one mile turf stakes race for thoroughbred fillies two years old. As its name implies, it is part of the Breeders' Cup thoroughbred championships, the de facto year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing.

The race was run for the first time in 2008 during the first day of Breeders' Cup racing at that year's host track, Santa Anita Park, and since its inception has been limited to 12 starters.

Because of technical requirements, it was not eligible for classification as a graded stakes race in its first two runnings. The American Graded Stakes Committee made it a Grade II race in 2010.