Flotilla wins Juvenile Fillies Turf

ARCADIA, California (AFP) –

Jockey Christophe Lemaire rides Flotilla to victory in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, California.

French raider Flotilla surged through an opening in the stretch to give Europe a first win Friday in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup with a triumph in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

With Christophe Lemaire aboard, Flotilla was racing in mid-pack in the 14-horse field on Santa Anita’s firm turf track.

Lemaire found an opening between two horses at the top of the stretch and his mount powered home to a 1 1/4-length victory over Watsdachances in the $1 million, one-mile race.

Summer of Fun was third with early pace-setter Tara from the Cape fourth.

“In the mornings she can be a little bit keen,” Lemaire said. “She can be quite forceful and the pace was not very strong but she had plenty in hand. When I put her out she accelerated very well and I think she won easily.

“She was on the bit today because of the slow pace, so that’s why I was a bit worried, but she was much better than the others.”

Trainer Mikel Delzangles admitted he didn’t know how Flotilla would do in her first trip to America.

“I was surprised how well she settled here,” he said. “I was not confident she would win but thought she would run a good race.”

He said the performance had him thinking about Flotilla’s plans for next season.

“Hopefully she will be a Classic filly in Europe next year,” he said.

It’s a busy time for Delzangles, who saddles Dunaden in defence of his Melbourne Cup title in Australia on Tuesday.

“This is great, absolutely great,” he said. “It was a good preliminary for Australia.”