Zagora has a chance against a formidable Filly and Mare Turf lineup
Trainer Chad Brown will be feeling mighty confident going into the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic with his undefeated filly, Awesome Feather representing the horseman in the 2 November, 2012, 1 1/8 mile encounter at Santa Anita Park, but the subject of conversation wasn’t Awesome Feather, it was the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf entrant, Zagora.
Martin S. Schwartz owned 5-year-old mare, Zagora was the one who gave trainer Chad Brown his first Grade 1 victory when she came under his wing from France last year, and landed the Grade 1 Diana Handicap at Saratoga at about 1 1/8 miles.
The trainer remarked on 30 October, 2012, that the Green Tune filly will have a tough ask going for the 1 3/8 mile event over Santa Anita Park’s unique hillside turf course, with some real good fillies and mares.
Chad Brown has respect for the Filly and Mare Turf’s lineup, which includes the likes of Todd Pletcher trained, In Lingerie, who is coming off a victory in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes, John Sadler trained, Lady of Shamrock, who is also exiting victory in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, while another Group 1 winner all the way from U.K., The Fugue will be the one to look out for.
Bred in France by the Oceanic Bloodstock, Zagora will be among both domestic and foreign runners, and Chad Brown is confident that she will cope with the pressure just fine, as she has been installed as the co-fourth choice on the morning line.
Marketing Mix is the second choice along with British favourite, The Fugue, who are rolling into the Filly and Mare Turf on the back of Group 1 and Grade 1 victories. Marketing Mix is exiting victory in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive for trainer T. Proctor.
"She's a proven grade I horse over here now," he remarked. "She's had a terrific year, she's won a bunch of stakes, and she couldn't look any better right now."
Zagora is the seven time stakes winner, and the veteran mare will be making her Breeders’ Cup debut at the age of 5, after making 21 career starts.
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