DEL MAR, Calif. – Bobby Flay’s homebred Pizza Bianca ($21.80) split horses in the upper stretch, surged by pacesetting Cachet (IRE) at midstretch and then held off a late bid from Malavath (IRE) by a half-length to win the 14th running of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) for 2-year-olds Friday afternoon at Del Mar.
The victory gave trainer Christophe Clement his first Breeders’ Cup triumph with it coming with his 41st starter in the World Championships.
Jose Ortiz was aboard Pizza Bianca, who covered the mile on a firm Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:36.08. It is the fourth Breeders’ Cup victory for Ortiz and first in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Pizza Bianca’s earnings to $637,635 with a record of 3-2-1-0.
Pizza Bianca is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Fastnet Rock (AUS) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare White Hot (IRE).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Quotes
Winning trainer Christophe Clement (Pizza Bianca) – “Very nice. Great win. I’m delighted. I was surprised with (agent) Ron Anderson and Rosario didn’t ride the filly because we always thought that she a nice one and she proved us right today. I’m absolutely thrilled with the confidence showed in us. It’s nice.” Joel Rosario had ridden Pizza Bianca in her first two starts.
Winning jockey Jose Ortiz (Pizza Bianca) – “For some reason on the second turn I ended up farther back than I wanted to be. So, I kept going in, going in and finally I got in at the quarter pole. At the eighth pole, I got a perfect split. I had a lot of horse.”
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard (second with Malavath (IRE)) – “I’m absolutely delighted with the run. She gave it her all. It’s obviously disappointing to be narrowly beaten however I’m very proud of the filly. She’s going to be even better next year.”
Jockey Ryan Moore (second with Malavath (IRE)) – “Ran a great race. She’s a very good horse.”
Trainer Chad Brown (third with Haughty) – “Tyler (Gaffalione) rode a great race from that post. I was very happy with the trip. I think, in the end, the three weeks’ rest really did me in. She made a really big jump in her numbers from her first to her second race and I think I just didn’t have enough space between races. Not every horse can do that back in three weeks. I think that’s where she lost a little bit of the starch from the quarter-pole home.”
On Consumer Spending, sixth – “She got a good trip inside, and she ran fine. Flavien (Prat) remarked that she probably wants to go a little bit farther. She might not be up to this class level.”
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione (third with Haughty) – “I felt real confident coming into the stretch. She gave me a nice kick, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the closers. It was a great performance coming off the maiden victory.”
Jockey Joel Rosario (seventh on beaten favorite Koala Princess) – “She ran well but hung a little bit. I got stopped a little bit right before the quarter pole but what can I say? We will try another time.”
Jockey Luis Saez (fourth with Cachet) – “She ran big. I thought she was going to win but she just got tired at the end. She tries so hard and gave me everything. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to take the ride.”
Trainer George Boughey (fourth with Cachet) – “I thought for a minute we were going to win. Luis gave her a fantastic ride. I was delighted with her coming over. Her preparation was excellent. She’s only two years old and will be better at three. She’s going to be really exciting next season.”
Breeders’ Press Release
