Breeders Bowl F&M Turf

Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $3,000,000

Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older, Fillies and Mares Only

11 Furlongs | ~2200 Meters | One Mile and and Three Eighths

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An elite field assembles at California on Saturday for the G1 Breeders Bowl Fillies & Mare Turf over 11 furlongs. This race boasts 8 grade 1 winners and all but 2 of the runners have registered a graded victory. We also have the 2023 champion returning for another crack.

1. NORRI                                 KY        4F        francua1         C.Mecklenburg           6/1

Norri (Kingman x Sadler’s Wells x Halo) returns to North America for francua stables off the back of her maiden G1 win in the British Champion Gals at Newmarket. On that occasion, she was given a great ride stalking the pace to win running away by 3 ¼ lengths from an impressive field. Before that, she was somewhat disappointing in the Yolkshire Oaks facing similar opposition. This progressive filly has had 3 wins from her last 4 starts running speed figures of 118, 117 and 116 respectively. Has won over this distance in stakes company. Breaking from the inside gate, trainer has decided to go with a local jockey. Norri is equal favorite at 6/1 on the morning line and should prove hard to beat.

2. OUT OF BED SOLDIER         KY        4F        given25           O.A.Haack                   15/1

Out of Bed Soldier (War Front x Shamardal x Kingmambo) ventures back to the west coast for given stables after an impressive 6 ½ length romp in Allowance company. Last time she was in California, she recorded a win over 14f in stakes grade. Has a G2 victory earlier in the season when she was the longest shot on the board. Jockey O.A.Haack has 7 wins aboard this filly. Should get a nice run just in behind the pace and although she faces her toughest assignment here, you would be foolish to underestimate this stable.

3. THE ELF QUEEN                  GER     5F        padrebri10     J.Hernandez                9/1

The Elf Queen (Alderflug x Dynaformer x Danzig) returns to the BB F&M Turf for padrebri stables after last season’s 6^th placing. This German bred mare is yet to place in G1 at 4 attempts running midfield each time. Back to F&M grade here after below par runs in open company. I like to drop back to 11f for this mare but it’s fair to say she is racing below her best. Would need a career best run to beat this field but a return to last season’s form could see her figure in the placings.

4. EVIL JEZZABEL                     IRE       4F        asrstar5           A.Craig                        6/1

Evil Jezzabel (Sea The Stars x Sadler’s Wells x Storm Cat) for Tenpoint stables comes off a career best run of a 118 speed figure to win the G1 The Friendly Wager at Newmarket. Sparingly raced this season with just the 4 starts, all have been in top company. Multiple G1 winner, she comes into this race fresh after a 3-month break but has been training well. Has not finished outside the top 3 for over a year and looks primed to run a bold race.

5. I LOVE RICK JAMES             AUS     4F        givenheroes    Q.Cassell                     8/1

Heading a three pronged attack for Given stables is the 4yo superstar I Love Rick James (I Am Invincible x Kitten’s Joy x Mr.Prospector). 11 consecutive starts in Grade 1 company including 3 wins in top company. Her most recent start was in the British Champion Gals where she finished a gallant 2^nd after a wide trip to the highly promising and equal favorite here Norri. Before that she stormed home to just miss in the Yolkshire Oaks. Finished down the track in last year’s edition of this race as a 3yo but is far more seasoned now and ready to make her presence felt.

6. GOLDEN GAL TWO             GB       4F        fdllodged        J.Dawg                        12/1

Golden Gal Two (New Approach x Golden Horn x Dansili) heads into this race for fdllodged stables after a very impressive win in the Vermillion Stakes in Paris. That was this filly’s first graded win, albeit in a G1. It was also the first time she saluted since stringing 3 nice wins together late in 2023. Would prefer her over a slightly longer journey as I think others are better at 11f. Would need to take another step up here but that is a real possibility.

7. BLACK SWAN EVENTS        ENG     5F        asrfrankel2      A.Rolling                     8/1

Black Swan Events (Frankel x Sea The Stars x Monsun) stablemate of our equal favorite Evil Jezzabel for Tenpoint stables comes into this after a 3^rd placing in the Yellow Submarine Stakes at this track some 6 weeks ago. Honest mare who rarely runs a bad race. Two starts at this distance including her peak performance where she obliterated the clock to run a 120 SP#. Has not won since at 5 attempts however this has been on her radar for the past year and with the lack of early speed, she may just have this run to suit. If she produces her best, will be hard to hold out.

8. BLOOD DROPLETS              IRE       5F        115away         A.Smith                       10/1

Blood Droplets (Sea The Stars x Dansili x Montjeu) for 3Away stables comes across the Atlantic for the first time after an outstanding run in the Vermillion Stakes to just fail behind Golden Gal Two in Paris. This ultra consistent mare has only recently ventured into graded stakes recently and from 3 attempts has won a G2 and been placed twice at G1 level. I like the trainer’s patience with this mare and although she faces her stiffest test here, may well be up to it.

9. SHOWMETHEVANGOGH   GB       4F        asrfrankel        D.Evans                       14/1

The impeccably bred Showmethevangogh (Frankel x Dubawi x Sadler’s Wells) for Tenpoint stables has won 7 of her 17 starts. Last start she ran out of her skin and looked home but weakened late to finish just behind Moncao Galactica and I Love Rick James in the Yolkshire Oaks. That was her peak performance based on speed figures. Lightly raced this season with just the 4 starts and 1 win in the Shinoda Stakes at G1 level in Japan. Failed in this race last year as a 3yo when racing on speed chasing a tear away leader but is a far better proposition this year. If she gets the race run to suit, which is quite possible as there doesn’t appear to be much early speed, could well figure in the placings.

10. SWEET APPLE WINE         JPN      3F        barham           D.Givins                      39/1

Sweet Apple Wine (Maurice x Shamardal x Montjeu) is a consistent 3yo filly for barham stables. Most recent start was her first at G1 level where she ran a career best to finish 2^nd in the Baileys Irish Cream Oaks in Ireland. Travels across the Atlantic for her first start in North America. D.Givins jumps onboard which is a huge plus for this inexperienced filly however I doubt she is quite mature enough to compete with this elite field. Exciting times ahead for owner/trainer but look beyond 2024 for her to produce her best. 

11. MOMZA                            GB       4F        lopic                Z.Edwards                   15/1

Momza (Dubawi x Sadler’s Wells x Mr.Prospector) third stringer for given stables was impressive last start at her first attempt in G1 level. Finished just behind 2 of her rivals here in Golden Gal Two and Blood Droplets in the Vermillion Stakes in Paris. Just one of 2 in this field without a graded win. Retains the services of Z.Edwards. Momza is a consistent 4yo with 4 wins from 6 this season. Like many of these, crosses the Atlantic for her first time and faces her stiffest test. Has done everything asked by owner/trainer and could well measure up here but would need a career best.

12. WHERE’S MY HEELS         KY        4F        xraykash          F.Gossett                     7/1

Where’s my Heels (Ghostzapper x Giant’s Causeway x Unbridled’s Song) for Kashbarn stables is the highest money earner in this field with $3.6 million in career earnings. Ranks #1 in her class. Bluegrass Oaks winner on the dirt in 2023 but surprisingly has had some outstanding wins on turf. 3 x G1 wins this past year including the Equinics Winning Colors. Most recently won the The Liz Taylor in Ontario in early October. Premier California jockey F.Gossett takes the ride which is a big tick. Only query would be the step up to 11f as she has never raced beyond 10f.

13. KRANK                              ENG     3F        tees103           M.Zeus                        35/1

Krank (Frankel x Deep Impact x Montjeu) for tees stable produced a career best run over the same distance last start when demolishing her 3 rivals in an Allowance race in Ireland. Prior to that, gave all to just finish behind the winner in the Oaks de English at Surrey. Followed up failing to make any ground up when finishing down the track in the Irish Oaks. Looks a likely leader here and may lead for a long way but this is a bit rich for her at this stage of her career and will struggle to hold off many of these in the stretch run.

14. KYIV SEA                           IRE       5F        kaner4             F.Oxon                         7/1

Kaner stables champion scratchbred Kyiv Sea (Sea The Stars x Nureyev x Irish River) returns to try and go back to back in the BB F&M Turf. Fantastic winner of this race last year when came from last to overhaul the field and win running away by 2 ¾ lengths. On that day, she broke from this inside and will now attempt to win from the outside gate. Returned to her best form last start when winning the G1 Prix Opera in Paris on an off track. That was her first win since last season’s heroics but may just be returning to her best form. No bold front running types here unlike last year’s race but if she was to get the speed up front, look for her to be flying home late.

Veeman picks

1^st –                        #7 Black Swan Events

2^nd–                        #1 Norri

3^rd–                         #5 I Love Rick James

Longshot                #2 Out of Bed Soldier