'Exceptional' Lake Victoria leads European Breeders' Cup charge as she bids to crown unbeaten season

The European record in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is surprisingly poor. Since the race was inaugurated in 2008 it has been won just three times by a non North American-based trainer (Flotilla for Mikel Delzangles in 2012; Chriselliam, Charlie Hills, 2013 and Meditate, Aidan O’Brien, 2022).

It is likely that record will be improved upon this year, with O’Brien holding the key. On Racing Post Ratings Lake Victoria is the leading European-trained filly, and the leading juvenile outright when factoring in her sex allowance. 

With a view to this race she has 12lb in hand of her nearest rival, a plum draw in stall one and the potential to still improve quite significantly on what she has achieved to date. Firmer ground than she has faced previously rather than the step up in trip, is the biggest question mark given her dam’s affinity for the mud, but barring anything unexpected she should be very tough to beat.

European representation outside of Lake Victoria is thin on the ground, comprising stablemate Heavens Gate, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Fiery Lucy and Dave Loughnane's Anshoda, all of whom have plenty to find on form.

A bigger danger, therefore, should come from the US team, chiefly in the shape of Thought Process, who is unbeaten on turf and was particularly impressive in a Grade 3 at Santa Anita last time.

Kilwin also merits consideration after winning her two starts convincingly. She takes a significant step up in trip, but boasts the pedigree to think it might suit.

It is noteworthy that Chad Brown, who is the leading trainer in this race having won it six times, saddles Virgin Colada. She finished behind the reopposing Scythian in a Grade 2 a month ago but was left with a lot to do in relation to that horse and may well be able to reverse the form here.
Analysis by Matt Gardner

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Horses stretch their legs at Del Mar ahead of the two-day spectacular kicking off on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Will it be Del Mar delight for star filly Lake Victoria?

Aidan O'Brien has no worries about Lake Victoria stepping up to a mile for the first time as Europe's leading juvenile filly bids to cap off her stunning year with a third triumph at the highest level.

The exceptionally bred daughter of Frankel out of star sprinter Quiet Reflection landed the Moyglare Stud Stakes over 7f before dropping back to 6f to record a hugely impressive success in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Lake Victoria bids to take her unbeaten record to five and cement her position at the top of next year's 1,000 Guineas market. O'Brien also saddles Group 3 winner Heavens Gate, who is the mount of Wayne Lordan.

O'Brien said: "Lake Victoria has been exceptional this year. Funnily enough Ryan [Moore, jockey] said she'd be better over a mile after last time, so the team decided if she was to go over a mile this year, then this race would be lovely for her. She has a lot of class.

"Heavens Gate is getting better, and her last piece of work was very good. She's a big, strong filly and we're very happy with her. She could run a very big race."

What they say

Mark Casse, trainer of Nitrogen, Abientot and Vixen
If Nitrogen moves forward she can be very competitive, but she needs a good break and some things to go her way. Abientot's running two turns for the first time, but her pedigree says she should like it. Vixen had a wide trip in the Natalma Stakes and ran very well to be a neck second. Johnny Velazquez is going to have to work out a trip from the outside [13].

Bill Mott, trainer of Scythian
She looked a pretty nice filly, but I was never thinking about the Breeders' Cup until she won at Aqueduct. She's earned her way in and now we'll see how she fits.

Chad Brown, trainer of Virgin Colada
I’m very interested to see her on firm turf, which is what she wants. You’d think there’d be a solid pace on, and she has a really good turn of foot – she just hasn't had the pace in front of her to show it.

Philip d'Amato, trainer of Thought Process
After her maiden win in August, we knew this was the way to go. She has speed but she doesn’t have to be on the lead. I expect to see her in the top four early on.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Fiery Lucy
She’s so laid-back and everything has gone perfect so far. We’re drawn wide [11] so she’ll need a bit of luck, but we’re hoping for a big run. She has plenty of pace.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Read Friday's Breeders' Cup previews:

9.45 Del Mar: Can Mojo emulate Evs and give Mick Appleby and Tom Marquand another Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint success? 

12.25 Del Mar: 'He's felt super this week' - Oisin Murphy confident New Century can hold off Godolphin and Coolmore brigade in Juvenile Turf 

Where the turf meets the surf: Del Mar's Hollywood history and what makes the Breeders' Cup track unique 

Welcome to the 41st Breeders' Cup and it's time for the Ballydoyle banker (no, not City Of Troy) 

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