By Ray Wallin
Added in 1999, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf became the eighth Breeders’ Cup race to complement the original seven. There has been only one repeat winner, Ouija Board, who won the race in 2004 and 2006. The last three contests have been won by European horses. In fact, European horses have won 13 of the 20 prior contests.
Although it is the “middle child” of the Breeders’ Cup races, it has given us a couple of memorable finishes. So whether you are a casual racing fan or you make your living playing the races sit back and enjoy some great finishes over the turf.
#1 Padding Your Shared Account
In 2010, a win bet on Shared Account would grow your bankroll. At 46-1, she battled over the last 200 yards with defending champion and heavy favorite Midday. She would get a head out in front to deny Midday the repeat win in a huge upset.
#2 Not An Illusion
In 2018, the German horse, A Raving Beauty, looked like she may take the field wire to wire. In the stretch Wild Illusion would finally get out in front. However, that lead would be short lived as Sistercharlie charged down the center of the track and would get up in the final strides with a neck out in front.
#3 Trust The Queen
In 2016, Avenge would set the pace and find herself a length and half clear at the top of the stretch. The favorite, Lady Eli, would have the frontrunner in her sights and would run her down in the stretch. However, to her outside would be the late running Queen’s Trust would who catch the favorite and get a nose out in front in the final strides in an exciting finish.
#4 When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
In 2003, speedster Bien Nicole would find herself eight lengths free on the lead early. Her lead would last until the mile when L’Ancresse and Islington would catch her by the top of the stretch. Islington would get a head out in front and maintain that margin in a two horse race to the wire.
#5 Forever Together
In 2008, a nice stalking trip by Forever Together, or as she hit the wire “Forgether Tagether,” would prevail after four horses fanned wide off the turn. Over half of the field seemed to be contention with 100 yards to go, but it would be the gray running on the outside that would hit the wire first.
Do you think the Europeans continue their dominance in this race and make it four in a row this year or does America get one back?
Below are links to previously published Top Finishes in Breeders’ Cup races:
BC Juvenile Fillies: https://www.usracing.com/news/top-10-breeders-cup-juvenile-fillies-finishes
BC Juvenile: https://www.usracing.com/news/top-10-breeders-cup-juvenile-finishes
BC Sprint: https://www.usracing.com/news/top-10-breeders-cup-sprint-finishes
BC Mile: https://www.usracing.com/news/top-10-breeders-cup-mile-finishes
Ray Wallin is a licensed civil engineer and part-time handicapper who has had a presence on the Web since 2000 for various sports and horse racing websites and through his personal blog. Introduced to the sport over the course of a misspent teenage summer at Monmouth Park by his Uncle Dutch, a professional gambler, he quickly fell in love with racing and has been handicapping for over 25 years.
Ray’s background in engineering, along with his meticulous nature and fascination with numbers, parlay into his ability to analyze data; keep records; notice emerging trends; and find new handicapping angles and figures. While specializing in thoroughbred racing, Ray also handicaps harness racing, Quarter Horse racing, baseball, football, hockey, and has been rumored to have calculated the speed and pace ratings on two squirrels running through his backyard.
Ray likes focusing on pace and angle plays while finding the middle ground between the art and science of handicapping. When he is not crunching numbers, Ray enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his alma mater (Rutgers University), fishing, and playing golf.
Ray’s blog, which focuses on his quest to make it to the NHC Finals while trying to improve his handicapping abilities can be found at www.jerseycapper.blogspot.com Ray can also be found on Twitter (@rayw76) and can be reached via email at [email protected].
