A Z Warrior, winner of the Frizette Stakes (gr. I), will break from post 8 as the 7-2 morning line favorite in the Nov. 5 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). Zayat Stables' daughter of Bernardini will be ridden by Martin Garcia and face 12 2-year-old fillies.
A Z Warrior is the choice based on the Frizette being the most successful prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, and the name recognition of her sire and trainer, Bob Baffert.
“I saw (Breeders’ Cup oddsmaker Mike Battaglia, and he didn’t know who he was going to make the favorite,” Baffert said after the draw. “It’s kind of a wide-open race. I was trying to get him to make her not the favorite. But I guess that means we have a better chance to win.”
A Z Warrior drew in the middle in Post 8. The close second choice at 4-1 is Joyce Robsham’s R Heat Lightning (Post 3), the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) and Frizette runner-up. The daughter of Trippiis trained by Todd Pletcher.
At 9-2 is California’s best hope, Tell a Kelly, winner of the seven-furlong Darley Debutante (gr. I) and runner-up to Rigoletta in the 11/16-mile Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. I) at Hollywood Park. Rigoletta will not be starting in the Juvenile Fillies. The filly with a strong late kick drew Post 12 in the 13-horse field. Races at that distance have a short run-up to the first turn.
“I’d have liked to have drawn inside, but it will be OK,” said trainer John Sadler. “She’s going to drop back and work her way into a good spot. That’s her style.”
A horse with the style to run on the pace is Awesome Feather, a perfect five for five, with three stakes wins coming at Calder against Florida-bred competition. Stanley Gold was happy with Post 4.
“If I had my choice, I would have taken post four through six, so I've got no complaints. The 6-1 (morning line odds) is a fair assessment. We're the undefeated unknown quantity, so they can't count us out."
A homebred for Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm, Awesome Feather is a daughter of Awesome of Course—Precious Feather, by Gone West.
John Oxley’s Delightful Mary, pegged at 8-1 on the morning line, drew post 9.
“I love the post,” said trainer Mark Casse. “It's perfect. I won't be able to use that as an excuse."
Delightful Mary topped the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s April 2-year-old sale, selling for $500,000.
Jay Em Ess Stable’s Believe in A.P. , a recent maiden winner by 12 3/4 lengths at Parx Racing, will break from Post 10.
“She’s sitting on a big race, babe,” said trainer Dick Dutrow of the daughter of A.P. Indy. “ She’s wanted to go long on the dirt since the first day she came to our barn. She’s got class, talent, size, and the pedigree. She’s ready.”
| Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) | ||||
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1. | Indian Gracey | Rafael Bejarano | Jerry Hollendorfer | 15-1 |
| 2. | Theyskens' Theory | Frankie Dettori | Brian Meehan | 10-1 |
| 3. | R Heat Lightning | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 4-1 |
| 4. | Awesome Feather | Jeffrey Sanchez | Stanley Gold | 6-1 |
| 5. | Harlan's Ruby | Julien Leparoux | Kenneth G. McPeek | 15-1 |
| 6. | Joyful Victory | Ramon Dominguez | Anthony W. Dutrow | 15-1 |
| 7. | Izshelegal | Mike Smith | Terry Knight | 30-1 |
| 8. | A Z Warrior | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 7-2 |
| 9. | Delightful Mary | Shaun Bridgmohan | Mark E. Casse | 8-1 |
| 10. | Believe in A. P. | Garrett Gomez | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | 15-1 |
| 11. | Soundwave | Robby Albarado | Ronny W. Werner | 20-1 |
| 12. | Tell a Kelly | Calvin Borel | John W. Sadler | 9-2 |
| 13. | Jordy Y | Joel Rosario | Wayne M. Catalano | 30-1 |
