Ground-saving trip for Balantina under Oisin Murphy. (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Future Stars Friday: John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1)
Donnacha O’Brien gets first Breeders’ Cup victory
Breeders’ Cup Release
DEL MAR, Calif. – Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing et al.’s Balantina (IRE) ($43.20) found running room along the rail to post a 1 ¼-length victory over Pacific Mission (GB) to win the 18th running of the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) for 2-year-olds on Friday afternoon at Del Mar.
Trained by Donnacha O’Brien and ridden by Oisin Murphy, Balantina completed the mile on a firm turf course in 1:35.07. It is the first Breeders’ Cup victory for O’Brien and the second for Murphy.
Switch in Love (JPN) set a blistering pace of :22.33 and :45.96 and maintained the lead going into the far turn when Ground Support challenged to her outside and Balantina began picking off horses from the back of the pack. Ground Support opened up in the stretch only to have Balantina roar past her on the inside and draw clear for the victory.
Pascific Mission rallied late to get second by a head over Ground Support.
The victory was worth $520,000 and increased her earnings to $572,440 with a record of 6-2-1-1. Balantina is a daughter of Ten Sovereigns (IRE) out of the Montjeu (IRE) mare Balankiyla (FR).
Quotes:
Winning trainer Donnacha O’Brien (Balantina (IRE)) – “This is very special. It was fantastic. Precise (IRE) is a champion filly so when she was scratched it made it a little bit easier for us, but it’s incredible. Oisin was majestic on her. She was slow away but when he got her on the rail, he had the luck and had enough filly beneath to go and win the race so it’s brilliant.”
Winning jockey Oisin Murphy (Balantina (IRE)) – “She probably ran a bit tired last time at The Curragh but she was just beaten on the line when Tom (Marquand) rode her at Deauville and she was beaten by a filly, the best 2-year-old French filly (Green Spirit). If she didn’t run disappointing at The Curragh she’d have been the favorite.
“Irad (Ortiz Jr.) broke inside me, but he didn’t have a great start and I was able to get up inside him and save ground on the first turn. Got in the back of the favorite (Ultimate Love) and when he switched out turning in, I was able to go up the inside, but I had the horse though. She’s a great athlete and that’s why she was able to handle the track so well.”
Second-place trainer Andrew Balding (Pacific Mission (GB)) – “She got up to be second and it was a terrific run. Obviously, our hands were a little bit tied with the draw (post 12), but Colin (Keane) did a wonderful job, given the circumstances. She’ll be a good filly for next year.”
Second-place jockey Colin Keane (Pacific Mission (GB)) – “I had brilliant run around. Obviously from a bad draw so we took our time. We ended up following the winner the whole way. We turned in and I think the pace collapsed. Oisin had to sit for a second and so did we. Got out and we came home wide. Good draw she might have won.”
Third-place trainer Kelsey Danner (Ground Support) – “I am thrilled. I thought (jockey Adam Beschizza) did a fantastic job getting down to the rail. He tried to get the jump on the Europeans. I thought it was a great trip from the 11 post. She ran fantastic. She has been really good, she has gained weight since she has been here, a lovely filly. She is just getting bigger and stronger.”
Third-place jockey Adam Beschizza (Ground Support) – “I guess they’ll take her more seriously now. She does have 6-furlong speed, but she stays well. She’s been rating pretty nice at home. It wasn’t our plan to be on the lead at Aqueduct, but we were there organically. She stays so well, and I saw that seam and thought if I could steal a few lengths – once she ranges up there, she’s very hard to pass. There’s a few gears there and she just clicks through them. Huge [effort].”
Fourth-place trainer Brendan Walsh (Imaginationthelady) – “Frankie (Dettori) said things were happening just a tick too fast for her. I thought she had a nice trip around there and he gave her every chance. She ran well, finishing fourth, so no complaints. I think she will be a nice 3-year-old, especially going farther.”
Fifth-place trainer Mike Trombetta (beaten favorite Ultimate Love) – “I don’t think the post (1) hurt. I don’t have any real excuses. I think she had a fair shot at it. My gut feeling is she will do better when she has more ground to work with. I wasn’t concerned with this distance, but the race wound up going to a horse that was stretching out. I just don’t know if she wants to be nudged along to keep pace. I think she is more comfortable running into the bridle. That is just my two cents.”
