We couldn't have two straight 50-1 shots to start Breeders' Cup Championship Day. We didn't; we had a 50-1 shot followed by a 45-1 shot. After Spain sprang the upset in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), Caressing was the shocking winner in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).Spain paid $113.80 and Caressing returned $96 to the surprise of the buzzing crowd at Churchill Downs.Caressing was a local product, owned by Carl Pollard, who owns Hermitage Farm in Goshen, Ky., just a short drive from Louisville. She is trained by David Vance, who stables regularly at Churchill. She is the first Breeders' Cup horse saddled by Vance.
Cash Deal was expected to contest the early pace, but she was pinched at the start and lost all chance. Thunder Bertie, from the outside post in the 12-horse field, cut the early fractions with Nasty Storm and Notable Career in pursuit.But, when they hit the eighth pole, Nasty Storm gave way to Caressing, with Platinum Tiara and She's a Devil Due closing for second and third.Favored Raging Fever was fourth at one point down the backstretch, but was unable to close any ground. She lost for the first time in six starts. The time of the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies was 1:42.77, with fractions of :23.10, :46.55, 1:11.10, and 1:36.38.Caressing, who won by a half-length, paid $96, $34.80 and $15.80. Platinum Tiara, 1 3/4 lengths in front of She's a Devil Due, returned $11.40 and $7.40. She's a Devil Due was worth $5.20 to show. The exacta returned $940.60. The pick-three was a whopping $114,156.
Caressing continues the upset streak, winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
