Keeneland plays host to the Breeders’ Cup for the third time in the event’s illustrious history with the Filly & Mare Turf one of the most highly anticipated races of day two.
13 runners are set to go to post on Saturday with the field headed by Nashwa, a 2.50 shot with William Hill.
The British filly from John & Thady Gosden’s yard will be partnered by Hollie Doyle as she has been for the entirety of her seven-race career.
That career has yielded four wins, a second and two thirds with the greatest triumphs coming this summer in the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly and Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. She was a narrow second last time at Longchamp in the Prix de l’Opera.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 26th, 12:00 P.M. (GMT)
Her first trip across the pond will add some doubt into her chances this weekend as will the fact her only previous trip over 1 ½ miles was one of her third places.
Second favourite at 6.50 is the American-bred but Irish-trained Above The Curve, a granddaughter of the great Galileo.
A winner of the Prix de Saint-Alary and third in l’Opera, Joseph O’Brien’s big hope has never been tested over this distance. O’Brien did taste victory in this race in 2019 while jockey John R. Velazquez has won this race three times.
Chad C. Brown trains three of the next four in the market. 7.00 chance In Italian began her career in March with a victory in a Grade 3 and has since won two Grade 1s; the Diana Stakes at Saratoga and the First Lady Stakes at Keeneland. Joel Rosario was on board for those latest two successes and will be again on Saturday.
Virginia Joy, at 13.00, is yet to taste Grade 1 success though the 5-year-old won the Grade 2 Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga last time out, edging out War Like Goddess. Jockey Irad Ortiz is looking for his second win in this race.
Brown’s other entrant, at 11.00, is Rougir. Well beaten in the Diana by In Italian and last of five in the Beverley D. Stakes at Churchill Downs, she bounced back last month winning the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.
Separating those three in the betting is the other Irish hope, Tuesday (8.50) for AP O’Brien. Since winning the Oaks in June, second in the Yorkshire Oaks is her best showing from four runs.
Family Way, Going To Vegas and Moira (all 21.00) are the best of the rest.
