The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) saw a nearly full gate of thirteen (after In The Gold was scratched) without a clear favorite. Sweet Catomine was 2.30-1, Sense of Style was 3.50-1, and Balletto was 4.10-1.

After 60.80-1 longshot Higher World burned herself out with a front-running half mile in 46.44, the contenders got down to business. Balletto, who settled in good position early while saving ground, angled three wide on the far turn, and ranged up from outside to challenge on the turn.

However, the favored Sweet Catomine, racing in traffic around the clubhouse turn, launched a rally between horses leaving the far turn, and then, suffering further traffic trouble, still managed to find room late to draw away with authority in the last 70 yards, finishing 3 3/4 lengths clear of Balletto in 1:41.65. It was 1 1/4 lengths from Balletto to 10.00-1 shot Runway Model, as Sense of Style did not break well and lacked the needed response after getting boxed in on the last turn finishing a disappointing ninth.

Winning trainer Julio Canani said, "This is a very special filly. This is my first Breeders' Cup starter in a 2-year-old race. Corey rode her before so I just said 'I hope you have a good trip'."

Winning jockey Corey Nakatani said, "I was in a really good spot early, tracking Balletto. They are both really nice fillies and I was just lucky enough today. Even though she's big she's by Storm Cat so she has a quick turn of foot. I was saving ground inside and Jerry (Bailey) tilted in a bit.

That sort of thing happens in a race like this."

Jerry Bailey aboard second place finisher Balletto said, "Someone was trying to come up inside of me. I don't know who it was but it made it pretty tight because there wasn't much space there. My horse showed good acceleration but didn't quite have the turn of foot she needed when I asked."

Bernie Flit, trainer of third place finisher Runway Model said, "She got stopped in mid stretch but that's just racing luck. I can't complain. She did a wonderful job of coming back to get third. She looks like she wants to go farther and that makes me happy because we will be looking forward to the Kentucky Oaks."

More Juvenile Fillies photos

Juvenile . Juv.Fillies . Mile . Sprint . Distaff . F&M Turf . Turf . Classic