The Fugue and In Lingerie in cut-throat contention in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Measuring up to the top-class contenders of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf , The Fugue and In Lingerie, can become a nightmare for the rest attempting to claim their share from the prize money. Both are Grade 1 winners, and none has raced at
Santa Anita before.
John Gosden, the trainer of The Fugue, has a history with the race course. It was from this track that the trainer began to prosper in his career, and it also became the platform for his recognition.
Winning today over the mile and two furlong race trip will become a fourth time for the trainer to a Breeders’ Cup challenge.
The plan of racing The Fugue in the Breeders’ Cup was in the pipeline ever since May.
"We've thought about it since the Musidora Stakes," Gosden said. "She hasn't run since August, though the plan was to go to the Prix de l'Opera [in early October] as a prep, but it was bottomless ground, so she didn't run there. She's had a long season,
but she still comes here relatively fresh and it's a sharp 10 furlongs here, which is her optimum distance."
The 11 to 4 entry for the race has been regularly ridden by jockey, William Buick, but has also won with Robert Havlin and Richard Hughes.
Her first graded success after clearing the maiden at the first asking was through the third career outing.
She landed the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes on 16th May, 2012 at York over a mile and 2 ½ furlongs. The Fugue was joined by jockey, William Buick, and the two defeated the favourite entry of the race, Twirl, by 4 ½ lengths.
Dansili’s daughter’s most recent success was in the Group 1 Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (British Champions Series) on 4th August, 2012 at Goodwood over a mile and two furlongs.
Her fiercest rival, Empire Maker’s bay filly, In Lingerie, was the favourite winner of the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes on 7th October, 2012 at Keeneland over a mile and a furlong.
The Todd Pletcher trained was guided through the track distance by jockey, J. R. Velazquez.
It will be her first try over turf and the connections do know that it is risky.
"We know it's unusual to run a horse in the Breeders' Cup on a surface they've never run on before, but after looking at it with Todd and Gary, we determined the turf really gives us the best option for her to win," Wellman said.
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