Breeders Cup Juvenile Filles Turf Picks: Haughty and Malavath in an Open Field

The Grade I Juvenile Fillies Turf might well be the toughest race to handicap on Friday's card with a slew of legitimate contenders

We've sent J.N. out to Del Mar where he will be handicapping the action from California. As for me, well I've not had to locate my sunscreen or do any packing so I'm sat at my regular desk preparing my thoughts on the races this Friday.

We both have thoughts on the race as written out below and you can bet with any of our partners via the Odds Grid and take advantage of any of the sign-up offers from AMWager, BetAmerica, TVG and TwinSpires...

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf might be the hardest race on the card to handicap on Juvenile Day at Del Mar.

My top choice wasn’t even in the original field but a defection has opened the door for the Chad Brown trained Haughty (#10). This daughter of Empire Maker was put down to third by the stewards on debut at Belmont Park and had it not been for that decision, she could easily have stepped up to a big race before now. Instead she went back down to Kentucky to break her maiden at Keeneland just over a fortnight ago.

The 10-1 price on the Morning Line seems long and I’d expect some smart money to come in on her so don’t expect to get that price come Post Time.

Another filly who intrigues at a good price is the Brad Cox trained daughter of Nyquist, Turnerloose (#4). A very disappointing run as a short-priced favorite in the Grade II Jessamine has seen her price lengthen significantly but one poor outing doesn’t curtail a career. I’ll always give a young horse at least one mulligan so if she does go off at around the 12-1 price then it is worth a punt. California Angel (#14) won that race but has drawn the outside post, which I think is a bad draw for her.

I do have some liking for three of the Euro invaders. Cachet (#3) and Mise En Scene (#12) finished third and fourth in the very strong Group I Filles’ Mile over at Newmarket and Malavath (#13) won over in France at Chantilly. All are in the running.

This is a wide-open race and it is going to be the race that trips up many in the Super Hi-5 and Late Pick 4.

Main: 4, 10

Backup: 3, 12, 13

Order of Preference: 10-4-12-3

J.N's Take...

As we head towards the backend of this illustrious Juvenile card, it is time to figure out some routing on the turf. With no “presumptive” or “prohibitive favorite,” that makes this spot a particularly inviting one to nab a price horse. You can really divide these entries into 2 categories … the North Americans and the Euros. As they face each other once again, I always tend to support the latter, even though the lack of “give” on the grass supports the former. One subdivision that should be noted is that some of the European contingent will have to rely on U.S.-based riders, since their “regular” jockeys were forced to stay home. I find this particularly angle a tough one to back, since their mounts are really unknown to them. Then again … these folks are professionals, and many of them have been through this time and time again.

Of the shippers from Europe, I am particularly keen on Francis Graffard’s Malavath (IRE) #12, who is well-bred by Mehmas (IRE), and gets Ryan Moore aboard. Though he has not ridden this filly before, Moore’s worldly travels are without equal (one of the few I would trust besides Frankie Dettori). Graffard’s star continues to rise, and if his runner can extend out to the distance, then she should be pretty game towards the end. Expect a giant sweeping move late, if Moore is able … Another grass runner that has some intriguing form is George Boughey’s Cachet #3. I realize she was 2nd a couple of races back in a Group 2 at Newmarket to rival Hello You #6, trained by David Loughnane. Lest we forget though, in her next race, she made the jump to Group 1 Co. (finishing 3rd) on the same course. That day the going was “good” (by American standards), and I am thinking that she will actually appreciate some firmer footing. The addition of Luis Saez as opposed to John Velazquez (who rides #6), is an absolute boon.

As for the American contingent, we have some strong runners in Christophe Clement’s Pizza Bianca #1, uncoupled pairs from Brad Cox’s Turnerloose #4 and Bubble Rock #5, Chad Brown’s Consumer Spending #7 and Haughty #11, and finally, last but not least, Arnaud Delacour’s Koala Princess #9. Any one of these looks capable based on their form. When it comes to this ticket, if you can afford to include them, I would … considering the depth of this taxing race.

Top Selection: 12

Backup: 3/6