Breeders’ Cup Filly

And Mare Turf

(1m 1f, turf)

DEL Mar cannot accommodate 10-furlong races on turf, so we were left with this shorter contest featuring two bends early, including one soon after the start that the wide-drawn runners had no shot to navigate economically.

This hapless contingent included Rhododendron who ran a tremendous race to finish second to Wuheida, slicing through late after Moore had finally got her to the inside. The fractions were 23.86, 23.64, 23.92, 24.45 and 12.04 (pro-rated 24.08) so the leaders got it spot on and those further back were at a disadvantage. The first three were 3-12-4 early.

Wuheida had cheekpieces on and raced kindly, responding well. She is now a dual Group/Grade 1 winner and entirely legitimate, but she will probably never get another trip like this in her life. Rhododendron, using lasix, ran easily well enough to win in other circumstances.

Last year’s one-two, Queen’s Trust and Lady Eli, were only fifth and seventh. The former wants further than nine furlongs and was hampered before finishing well, but the latter wasn’t at her best after sustaining cuts and bruises in early scrimmaging.

Senga and Nezwaah had something to find on form and couldn’t make an impact.