By: Jessica Paquette
Saturday, Race #4: The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
(Turf – 1 1/4 Miles) 3 YO+ Fillies and Mares
Purse: $2 Million
The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in many ways encapsulates the very best of the Breeders’ Cup – it is a truly international affair and this year will be no exception with horses hailing from across globe.
Argentinian superstar #9 Didia (ARG) (8-1 ML) has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with since her domestic debut at Colonial Downs in 2022. Though she has had some setbacks along the way, she proved herself to be one of the stars of the American division with a resounding triumph in the Rodeo Drive in a final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. Though she has proven herself over a variety of different courses, the harder, tighter turf course at Santa Anita may be to her advantage and with the potential of a lively pace with #1 In Italian (GB) (4-1 ML) and #8 Fev Rover (8-1 ML), she should get the set up she needs.
#6 Inspiral (GB) (5-2 ML Favorite) figures to be the one to beat and the international sensation will try to continue the history of European dominance in this race. While she has been impressive and there is no denying her brilliance, she is unproven and untested beyond a mile and that little bit of vulnerability could make her a play against in a competitive field. As far as distance limitations go, #2 Warm Heart (IRE) (3-1 ML) falls on the opposite end – she seems to have a deep well of stamina in the reserves. Though she is a sophomore taking on a formidable field of older mares, she seems like the type that has really come into her own the second half of the year.
Leave #5 Win Marilyn (JPN) (20-1 ML) out at your own peril. Japan has become a serious player in the Breeders’ Cup and though her form this year has been lackluster at best, she has some interesting upside making her third start of the form cycle and could pull a world class upset if she can run back to her 2022 Hong Kong Vase triumph.
There is no question my heart is rooting for Didia – this mare looked like something special to me the second she stepped into the Colonial Downs paddock in 2022 and watching her make good on that has been a thrill. Separating my heart from my handicapping, I still maintain she is the next really big star to come from Argentina and she will prove it on Saturday.
